rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn) (05/19/84)
Having seen Tim Maroney's side of the story (or at least five parts,
assuming that's how many there were), I think that we should call on some
of the people at UNC to present some of the opposing views. They have a
right to be heard; of course, they also have a need to do so unless they
want to come out of this with egg on their faces. BEARING IN MIND that we
haven't heard the whole story yet, here are a few thoughts on impressions
from Tim's postings:
Arguments that postings to anything other than technical groups are
a waste of money (machine time, other resources,...) are specious.
If you think the net exists solely, or even primarily, as a means
for exchanging technical communication, you're hopelessly naive.
It is (among other things) an experiment in wide ranging
communication, discussion, etc., on a global scale. There is a
whole culture here. [Aside: Any time "the expenditure of hard-
earned tax-dollars of the honest working taxpayers of Blotto..." is
given as a reason for doing/not-doing something, it is a red
herring. (Well, almost.)]
It is amazing to me that Fred Brooks would allege that Tim's
postings were potentially detrimental to the reputation of UNC. It
is standard practice, even in technical journals, to regard
opinions expressed as belonging to the author personally, unless
explicitly stated otherwise. I cannot believe that Brooks would
expect that this policy would not hold on the net where opinions
are substantially less constrained (to say the least!) than
typical publications. He's not new to this game.
"Censorship" is a funny word to use in the situation - as several
people have pointed out, you don't have a RIGHT to the net.
However, if other people at UNC are allowed to express opinions and
generally use the net, Tim should be allowed to do so as long as he
doesn't abuse the permission to do so. For UNC to act otherwise is
a case of manipulating opinion and expression - it may not be
illegal in the least, but it's still wrong. Fairness in net access
can't be judged easily in absolute terms, but it can be judged in
terms relative to other people at the same site.
One particular exchange between Brooks and Maroney still grates on
my nerves--Maroney offers a proposal and says that (after >2
months) he needs a response soon. He makes the mistake of using
the word "insist" in asking for a reply. Brooks answer is rude in
a way characteristic of the worst faculty/student interactions -
someone has offended him, so he responds by refusing even to see
the intent or to attempt to answer the request.
It bothers me even more to see the sort of interchange we've seen (or
partly seen) coming out of academia. [muttermuttermutter ?Is that why I'm
staying in industry and not even contemplating a return to teaching? mutter
muttermutter no, it's probably the money, but still...muttermutter]
Let's hear something from UNC.
--
...A friend of the devil is a friend of mine. Dick Dunn
{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303) 444-5710 x3086minow@decvax.UUCP (Martin Minow) (05/21/84)
A correspondant suggests that the UNC faculty were incorrect in censuring Maroney because they felt that his postings would reflect on the university. Unfortunately, the UNC faculty are on very strong legal grounds when they claim this right. The Supreme Court has in fact held this right. Back in the good old days (1960), when I was an undergraduate at the U. of Illinois, an assistant professor of Biology, Leo Koch, wrote a letter to the editor of the Daily Illini which said, (in part, and from memory), that "with contraceptives readily available, there is no reason why couples need remain celibate until marriage." The paper appended "Department of Biology" to the letter (without consulting Koch) and he was fired. Together with the ACLU, he appealed up to the Supreme Court, who did not uphold his "right" to "acedemic freedom" or "free speech" -- I don't remember the reasoning behind the decision -- perhaps someone with access to the Court proceedings could add more information. It might be wise for writers to USENET to see their postings as if they were put on a company bulletin board. And, for that matter, as if they were attached to your resume. Martin Minow decvax!minow
crm@rti.UUCP (05/22/84)
DAMN RIGHT! I want to see a response, I hope to see a response, I BEG SOMEONE AT UNC TO RESPOND! One of two people I know and like has been a complete ass and caused much trouble for the other, and I would LOVE to know who... or if it both. Charlie Martin