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RE: [Air-l] AoIR Presidential Thoughts
by Blanchard, Anita L 12 Nov '03

12 Nov '03

Hi Nancy-- This is a AOIR conference issue, but I need help. I've emailed the treasurer and the conference chair to no avail. I cannot find my receipt for the conference and I need to turn in my expenses. Could you please forward this to the right person so that I can be helped out? Thanks! Anita Anita L. Blanchard, Ph.D. Dept of Psychology UNC Charlotte 9201 University City Blvd Charlotte, NC 28223 phone: 704.687.4847 fax: 704.687.3296 email: alblanch(a)email.uncc.edu web: http://www.uncc.edu/alblanch -----Original Message----- From: Nancy Baym [mailto:nbaym@ku.edu] Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 11:08 AM To: air-l(a)aoir.org Subject: [Air-l] AoIR Presidential Thoughts Hello, At our General Meeting in Toronto I did not give any sort of innagural address. I would like to offer a few thoughts here. I hope you will take some time to think about these issues and engage in their discussion on list or with me. I was struck (again) in Toronto at the extent to which, in a remarkably short time, this association has come to be an institution suspiciously similar to other academic associations. Sitting in panels, it was almost hard to remember how recently the very idea of this conference seemed like an overly-ambitious dream or how, less than four years ago, I was making arrangements for our first meeting in Kansas and wondering if anyone outside the midwestern United States would come. We have now had over 1,000 individuals come to our four meetings, and we have nearly 2,000 subscribers to air-l. Our first Internet Research Annual, bringing together selected papers from the first three conferences, will be released in a few weeks and reviewing for the second annual will begin shortly. In addition, a number of books have already been published or are being planned based on panels and collaborative research projects that grew out of our conferences, and many research papers have been published in journals. Our ethics working group has created a guide that is being used by many scholars and increasing numbers of institutional review boards. Being able to help make all this happen has easily been the most rewarding enterprise of my professional life. I've also been amazed and deeply personally rewarded by the extent to which we have created a community of friends as well as colleagues. I think I speak for many repeat attenders when I say that people who were just names to me before our first meeting are now among my dearest friends and that one regret of our meetings is that I don't have time to get to know all those other interesting looking people walking around. That said, the association's rapid growth and the increased expectations people have of us present a number of challenges and issues, particularly given our status as an all-volunteer association. Like my predecessor in this role, Steve Jones, I believe that my role, and the role of the executive committee in general, is to facilitate the association's organic growth based on the interests, desires, needs, and energies of the members. I do not have a strong agenda I wish to impose on you. I hope all of us will be engaged in making AoIR what we want it to be, recognizing that there are some tensions which may ultimately be unresolvable. In Interpersonal Communication Theory, we talk about "relational dialectics," the idea that all relationships involve continuous efforts to find satisfactory points of balance between competing demands (for instance, the desires that our conferences include scholars from more and more disciplines yet have fewer simultaneous sessions). I hope that AoIR can find balance points that work for most of us, but acknowledge that some will always want more or less of something than others do, and that no approach will ever satisfy everyone. One challenge we face is the expectation that we should always be doing more and exploring areas we haven't. In essense, the challenge here is to take full advantages of the scarce resources we do have and to find new resources in order to create what we want to have. People point out on occassion that as an internet association, we should do more with the internet. Ideas range from overhauling the web site, to creating new online spaces, to creating complex databases of internet research, publications, and so on. There is indeed a tremendous amount of unrealized potential. There are also right now exactly two people who are doing all of our web work, and they are both in the midst of writing Ph.D. dissertations. We have had some successes in this area, most recently the list of AoIR bloggers compiled by Jeremy Hunsinger and Thomas Burg, and the List of Lists compiled by Jeremy, Ulla Bunz, David Silver, and Matt Allen. What we have not had, thus far, are the financial resources to pay people to do these things nor the volunteers it would take to create as many of these resources as we want. One way to reach our online potential is to charge considerably more for membership and conference fees so that we can pay for initiatives like these. Another is for more people who can make these things happen and are willing to see them through to volunteer. Perhaps the most exciting possibility would be if people who have great ideas (and skills) for novel and beneficial ways to use the internet could partner with us in seeking grant funding to make those ideas happen. There are doubtless other possibilities as well, and we will be putting together at least one working group to guide us in thinking through these issues in the coming months. Your thoughts and energies are welcome. If you have the energy to build resources, don't ever be shy about coming to us with your ideas. Another challenge seems to me to be our greatest strength, which is interdisciplinarity. We have a dialectic between wanting to be exposed to and informed by different ways of approaching the topics we care about and at the same time wanting others' work to conform to the standards by which we assess work in our home disciplines. We all need to rise to the challenge of presenting our ideas in ways that will be compelling to those who are not grounded in our traditions while at the same time reaching the standards of our traditions. Part of our challenge as readers and listeners is to find the strengths in work that comes from traditions we don't share. I hear a consistent desire from all ends of the methodological spectrums that, regardless of its tradition, work should offer its audience theoretical significance beyond the case or project presented. One direct way in which you can influence what counts as "quality" at our conferences is to serve as a reviewer next year, and I hope more and more of you will do so. Yet another issue is what we can do to bring more people in from underrepresented parts of the world, particularly those areas where the likelihood of being able to afford our conference is minimal. One of the great promises of the internet is the ability to link people globally in the face of great challenges -- indeed I saw at least one panel talking about the ways in which the internet allows grassroots movements in poor nations to expand their resources through affiliation with one another -- yet making this happen in an association such as ours is far from easy (or cheap). This connects more broadly to the issue of recruitment. My general feeling is that there are so many targets for recruitment (based on methodology, discipline, race/ethnicity, stature, etc) that recruitment is best left to our members to call on those they wish were here to join us. However, I think it is imperative that we do what we can to lessen the financial barriers to participation in AoIR for those who would like to join us but cannot afford to. Any inspirations you have on how we might be able to do this while still breaking even on our conferences (which are expensive to run) would be most appreciated. The last issue I'll raise here is that of what benefits we need to provide in order to make more people and institutions who are interested in AoIR take the leap and become paid members. Dialectic = I want to get more, I don't want to pay for it! As you know, air-l is offered free to everyone. Right now about 1/4 of air-l subscribers are members of the association. Paid members currently get access to the archives of conference papers and discounts on several journals and Routledge's Cyberculture book series. Related to this is whether or not we should have a journal of our own, which would entail higher membership fees and an editorial board (and editor) willing to do editing. Another possibility is to charge somewhat more for membership and include subscriptions to one or several of the existing journals that are relevant to internet research (examples include those to which our members currently receive discounts, such as IcS, NM&S, TIS, Cyberpsychology and Behavior, and so on). A third possiblity is to leave things as they are now and offer our members discounts on a range of journals without building them into the membership fee. We will be putting together another working group to look at these and other possibilities and make recommendations to us. Again, your opinions on journal preferences (or lack thereof) and benefits in general are welcomed. These are by no means the only issues before us, and I am interested to hear your thoughts on what else you would have us consider as well as your thoughts on any of those I have raised. In my time as a steward of this association, I invite all of you to think about what this association does or has the potential to do for you, and what you can do for the association to make it better. Thank you, Nancy -- Nancy Baym http://www.ku.edu/home/nbaym Communication Studies, University of Kansas Bailey Hall, 1440 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 102, Lawrence, KS 66045-7574, USA Association of Internet Researchers: http://aoir.org _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

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Fwd: Teaching and employment opportunities, Fall 2004
by Steve Jones 12 Nov '03

12 Nov '03

>Mercy College >Center for Digital Arts >Computer Arts + Technology program >White Plains, New York campus > >The Computer Arts program offers a 4-year BFA degree in Animation, >Game Design, and Digital Media + Interaction Design. We also >anticipate a BA degree in Digital Media Production to begin Fall >2004. > >The following employment opportunities are available for the >2004-2005 academic year: >1) Full-time teaching position; Instructor, Assistant, or Associate >Professor rank; tenure track or multi-year >2) Part-time teaching positions; Associate Lecturer rank; teach up >to three courses per semester >3) Facilities Manager; full-time; oversee all aspects of digital studios > >Full descriptions and application instructions are available on our >website the under employment opportunities links at: >http://www.mercy.edu/cda/cart/cart.html

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RE: cyberculture novels
by Stine Gotved 12 Nov '03

12 Nov '03

Although this novel might be better for holiday reading than for class, I'll recommend it: Richard Morgan: Altered Carbon (2001?). It's hardcore cyberpunk, hardboiled detective story, and a bit of 'galaxy sci-fi' in a fascinating combination - even though the latter isn't my favorite topic. /Stine

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Re: [Air-l] Sports Science Technology Grant Ideas
by MSJANEW＠aol.com 12 Nov '03

12 Nov '03

Thanks for the Sports Smarts grant leads. I sincerely appreciate the links and suggestions. Matthew Newman Executive Editor Sports Smarts msjanew(a)aol.com

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PATRIOT ACT EVENT, Thursday Nov. 20
by Hans Klein 12 Nov '03

12 Nov '03

* * * Please Forward * * * The Internet and Public Policy Project (IP3) of the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy presents: ================================ BALANCING FREEDOM AND SECURITY: THE PATRIOT ACT AND HOMELAND SECURITY Thursday, November 20 7:30 PM (reception at 6:30) Clary Theater at Georgia Tech www.IP3.gatech.edu ================================ The Patriot Act has given rise to a lively policy debate. Citizen groups and lawmakers on both the right and left have criticized the legislation for allowing secret searches and the monitoring of citizens' reading habits, medical history, and financial records. Federal officials argue that these powers are necessary to ensure homeland security. This event features a rare face-to-face meeting of a supporter and a critic of the Patriot Act: * Randy Chartash, Assistant US Attorney * Bob Barr, former US Congressman They will present their respective views and take questions from a distinguished panel consisting of: * Jabari Simama, Atlanta Mayor's Office of Community Technology * Ann Woolner, Bloomberg News * John Sugg, Creative Loafing Rachel Tobin Ramos of the Atlanta Press Club will make introductory comments, and Hans Klein of Georgia Tech will moderate. The event begins at 7:30 PM and is free and open to the public. It will be preceded by a reception at 6:30 PM. The Clary Theater is located in the west side of the Georgia Tech football stadium, near the base of Tech Tower. For directions and information about parking, please go to: www.IP3.gatech.edu This event is part of the fall speaker series of the Internet and Public Policy Project (IP3) of the School of Public Policy. It is co-sponsored by: * The Atlanta Press Club * The Georgia Electronic Commerce Association (GECA) For more information, please see the IP3 web site: www.IP3.gatech.edu ###

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RealSpace
by Frederic W. Nachbaur 11 Nov '03

11 Nov '03

Routledge is pleased to announce the publication of RealSpace by Paul Levinson. A visionary work by the most provocative and original thinker on technology and human communication since Marshall McLuhan, RealSpace traces the neat marriage of communication and transportation--talking and walking--that recently ended in a jarring separation. Throughout recent history, Levinson shows, rail lines and telegraphs, cars and radios, airplanes and television have been coupled in a synergy that allowed us to reach the places we heard about. But with the invention of the Internet and cell phones, our verbal reach has exceeded our corporeal grasp. With a lucid, reflective style that spans philosophy, science fiction, religion, and technology, RealSpace reopens the final frontier, delving into the roots of our desire to know what's out there and exploring how we might actually make it one day. Packed with exciting, innovative, even revolutionary thinking about our future, RealSpace is essential reading for everyone who has ever sat at a desk, gazed into the distance and imagined boarding a space shuttle. More information on the contents can be found at www.routledge-ny.com. We are now offering AoIR members a 20% discount off the retail price, available only by phone. Please cite the source key code REALSPACE when placing your order. The isbn is 0415277434. US customers: 1-800-634-7064 Canadian customers: 1-877-226-2237 Customers outside North America: 011 44 207 842 2410 Date of offer--November 15, 2003-December 15, 2003 Discounted prices: $17.56 US $26.36 Canadian £11.19 Shipping not included. Fredric W. Nachbaur Marketing Director, Arts & Humanities Routledge 29 W. 35th Street New York, NY 10001 P: 212-216-7841 F: 212-563-2269 fredric.nachbaur(a)taylorandfrancis.com

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RE: [Air-l] Sports Science Technology Grant Ideas
by Kris Gowen 11 Nov '03

11 Nov '03

Try this one: http://www.channing-bete.com/positiveyouth/pages/funding/funding.html L. Kris Gowen, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate FACCT -- Foundation for Accountability www.facct.org <http://www.facct.org/> www.compareyourcare.org -----Original Message----- From: MSJANEW(a)aol.com [mailto:MSJANEW@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 4:18 AM To: air-l(a)aoir.org Subject: [Air-l] Sports Science Technology Grant Ideas Dear Colleagues: I have developed a comprehensive proposal for a K-12 Sports Science and Safety blended learning program. I have spent a fair amount of time gathering recent stats on the effectiveness of elearning in the area of sports science, with a special emphasis on at-risk kids. I am seeking good ideas for funding sources. Does anyone know of a good link or research source that lists grants for K-12 technology? I am not affiliated with a school or corporate entity. Thanks, Matthew Newman Executive Editor Sports Smarts msjanew(a)aol.com

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Research request -- visual communication in mobile telephony
by Ken Friedman 11 Nov '03

11 Nov '03

Dear Colleagues, One of my students is interested in knowing more about the ways in which the visual communication capacity of mobile telephony is affecting face-to-face communication -- and she is also interested to learn more about how this may be changing communication patterns in general. I will welcome tips and pointers to available resources, especially web-based resources. Please send references and links to me at this email address. I will compile all responses and post them to AIR-L. Thank you. -- Ken Friedman, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategic Design Department of Leadership and Organization Norwegian School of Management Visiting Professor Advanced Research Institute Faculty of Art, Media, and Design Staffordshire University

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Sports Science Technology Grant Ideas
by MSJANEW＠aol.com 11 Nov '03

11 Nov '03

Dear Colleagues: I have developed a comprehensive proposal for a K-12 Sports Science and Safety blended learning program. I have spent a fair amount of time gathering recent stats on the effectiveness of elearning in the area of sports science, with a special emphasis on at-risk kids. I am seeking good ideas for funding sources. Does anyone know of a good link or research source that lists grants for K-12 technology? I am not affiliated with a school or corporate entity. Thanks, Matthew Newman Executive Editor Sports Smarts msjanew(a)aol.com

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new reviews in cyberculture studies (november 2003)
by david silver 11 Nov '03

11 Nov '03

New reviews (found at http://www.com.washington.edu/rccs/) include: Sharon K. Black, Telecommunications Law in the Internet Age (Morgan Kaufmann, 2001) Reviewed by David R. Dewberry Bernardo A. Huberman, The Laws of the Web: Patterns in the Ecology of Information (MIT Press, 2001) Reviewed by Jeanette Burkett Daniel Pare, Internet Governance in Transition: Who is the Master of This Domain? (Rowan and Littlefield, 2003) Reviewed by John W. Campbell and Arthur L. Morin If you or your colleagues are interested in reviewing books for RCCS, contact us directly at <dsilver(a)u.washington.edu>. As always, please feel free to forward this message. david silver To SUBSCRIBE to cyberculture-announce, a low volume announcement list for RCCS events and updates, email: listproc(a)u.washington.edu; No subject is needed. In the body, type: subscribe cyberculture-announce

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