Dear all, Alhough in response to comments re NASS and its journal, the Compendium, this is an attempt to speak to the dialing community at large, as embodied by this list, and by the various societies, clubs, etc.:
There is a somewhat wry comment, often repeated at back-to- school time by those who are involved in teaching, or who live in college towns, that, "Each year WE get older, but the students remain always the same age." The obverse significance of the remark lies in the fact that if organizations are to maintain themselves over time, let alone to grow, they must continually recruit new members. This presents a challenge for NASS and for the editing of the Compendium, as individual members progress and mature in dial knowledge and interests, and so desire new, and more and more esoteric, information, whilst newcomers need and seek basic knowledge that is 'old news' to those who are later in the learning cycle. So what to do? My suggestion would be to stay open, eclectic, and catholic --- in attitude, policy, and practice. The model is here in the List, which has been so successful and enjoyable for many of us. "The mixture as before. Shake well before using." Sciagraphically, Bill
