Forum content vs. stated purpose

[Norman Ford <njford@netvigator.com>]

> A...photo-imaging education and professional practice
> discussion list 
> A major goal of this network is to serve as a communications
> link for photo educators, and interested others, dedicated  to discussion
> of photography and imaging including aesthetics, processes, history, digital
> imaging, instructional strategies, criticism, equipment and techniques, especially,
> but not exclusively, as these apply in an  educational setting. 
This is the subtitle and the stated goals of this forum. If these are in
fact the goals then IMHO something is amiss. (Perhaps the goals of this forum
have changed?) 

I joined some months back based on the statement above and have been reading
the digests daily. I am a photographer and educator with a good bit of experience
(20+ yrs) who was hoping to find a forum to discuss technical and conceptual
matters at a reasonably intelligent level. Instead I've found, with a few
very notable exceptions, messages containing gossip, mindless responses to
honest if simple questions, misleading tech advice (understandable on any
list), utterly off-topic postings, and so on. [note the content of the last
few days] 

I am hoping this is not a reflection of what are clearly some very professional
and well intentioned posters but perhaps more an odd conflation of people
and interests over the past months. 
I am not trying to insult anyone here so please don't take offense - but
I am looking for a forum that is for "photo-imaging education and professional
practice".

The way things stand I fear you are losing talented and helpful members who
might add much to the discussion. I truly hope others find this forum helpful
- I honestly can't say that I have. 

Norman

--
Norman Jackson Ford -
Visiting Lecturer,
School of Design,
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
&
Higher Diploma in Multimedia,
the Art School, HK Arts Centre

PhD (ABD)
Dept. of Comparative Literature (and Cultural Studies),
University of Hong Kong