[comp.ai] The symbol grounding problem meta-discussion

aweinste@Diamond.BBN.COM (Anders Weinstein) (07/15/87)

Since I will shortly be posting a follow-up to Harnad's last reply to me on
the SGP, I guess I ought to address the meta-discussion.

I think that different standards apply in the two domains in which this
discussion has been taking place.

I recognize that AI-List subscribers rightfully expect some selectivity from
an edited digest, and I will understand completely if the moderator chooses
not to redistribute my follow-up because the volume on this subject has
exceeded the limits demanded by his readership. 

On the other hand, I see no justification for attempting to squelch the
discussion on the Usenet side of things (from which I am participating). This
unmoderated forum is avowedly anarchic, and the wishes of a supposed majority
are irrelevant -- perhaps no single topic interests a majority of readers. If
you're not interested in a discussion that's clearly appropriate for this
newsgroup, the right thing to do is just ignore it.  The software makes it
easy to "kill" a topic you don't care about; do so, and you'll never even
*see* the messages.  I really don't understand the problem.

Anders Weinstein
BBN Labs