<It all depends what you, its members, want to make of it. Goanet is an umbrella, and there's a lot of space under that umbrella (regardless what some of our critics keep complaining about).
Some interesting initiatives have come about from Goanet (Internet node in Goa, computers project, annual reunions, inspiring of many other Goa-related mailing list, building up a whole new set of voices from Goa and the diaspora, getting people together etc). Now, it's up to everyone to take the idea forward. In many cases, we may not even be aware of the role of Goanet, because a lot of communication goes on off-list, following-up on posts that originated on networks like these. As far as the think-tank plan goes, it is an interesting one. My personal view -- not Goanet Admin's -- is that a network like this could help crystalise the plan for a think-tank (many think tanks, in fact, why just one?) I'm not very sure a cyber entity can play the role of actually forming one. Or is best placed to attempt this. The acute lack of forward-thinking in Goa is a very strong reality. Local newspapers, it is my perennial regret (including when I was directly associated with them) fail to devote space and resources to build up suitable ideas for the future. They either think they are Goa editions of national papers (with the focus on the rest of India), or are sometimes caught up in their own rivalries and sensational approaches, that they aren't doing a job they should be. A few people whom one has exchanged notes with do agree that Goa could benefit from having its own think tanks. We also need research organisations, that will put issues affecting the state and her people squarely on the agenda. (Again, the press is hardly playing its role here.) Resources seem to be available. So is the talent. What's missing is the magic to bring everything together. Maybe someone reading this will have the vision and etermination more than the rest of us, to make something happen! FN> ---- Its good to get a goanet perspective (personal) on the suggestion. Some preliminary reactions to keep the discussion going: 1. I view goanet as a "platform" for the expression of a variety of views. Note that a "platform" does not preclude the idea of a shelter such as an umbrella. It also inherently conveys the important idea of a great deal of space being available. 2. Its interesting to hear about some of the initiatives that have got their impetus from goanet. So goanet does seem to have some impact. What we need is more evidence like the computer project, internet nodes etc that things which were talked about on goanet became a reality some months or even years down the line. 3. Yes, there does seem to be a "secondary" forum of personal postings besides the ones which appear on goanet proper. I personally do not encourage this mainly because of space and time constraints. But it is still necessary to somehow gauge the impact of goanet (more on this below). 4. I agree that goanet may not be able to actually establish a think tank and maybe there should even be several of them rather than just one. What I was suggesting is that it function "practically like one" in some essential respects e.g. by "providing far sighted views" (not exclusively but to a significant extent). In this way it can "crystalise" or catalyse the plan for full fledged think tanks in the real world. 5. I also feel that there is a real gap out there about Goa-related thought and plans. But my response to the lament expressed above is this: How many media people do you know who feel checking out what is on goanet is vital to their work in terms of giving them an edge about future developments? Has goanet succeeded in establishing working links with media (or even PR) people locally and nationally? If so then we have the basis at goanet for "making an impact" via the required force multiplier effect. 6. I do appreciate that strenuous efforts are being continuously made at goanet to track and share higher quality information for the benefit of goan etters in general. Our response to these postings could perhaps be a little more vigorous in terms of reactions (besides the polite ones). Somehow it seems people feel that they cant comment unless they are "experts" thus missing out on an opportunity to "learn" or shape a line of policy. As we all know, many a time the "silly question" can even be educative [like the boy who enquired about the emperor's (lack of) clothes]! 7. So the bottom line is: make the think tank idea more of a reality on goanet by thoughtfully sharing your views on information about (or applicable to) Goa! Let's try and shape conventional wisdom and maybe even policy plans.
