Prefatory remark: This is to speculate, to raise some meta-concerns about responsiveness as opposed to a mere carnality of responding here on the Lounge. “Third Sketch” follows an elliptical orbit in order to explore some of the putative reasons for a variety of posts, although examination of Realist’s writing remains the core around which the sketch orbits.
THIRD SKETCH: Context(s) & Silence(s)*
What community is being addressed in the above title?
Is the target community in a position to read/receive the post (let alone adjudicate between what is or isn’t “academic”) and willing (or able) to answer the question “who is served?”
Examining the 1-24-2012 post, one notices that a week later, an instructor’s students posted in response to an assignment. A tally of those replies results in the following:
Replies #4 through #32 equal thirty-one separate responses. (Note: In the tabulation below, several replies are not included due to problems with clarity of expression/meaning. For example, reply #8 seems to view the mayor’s speech negatively, yet concludes by stating the student has “big plans to move on to Nursing School next fall”; replies #17, #22, and #30 see the pros and cons of the mayor’s plans, then call for a more balanced implementation of the plans.)
Eleven students view the mayor’s plan negatively: replies #10, 14, 16, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, and 32. (9 of these students plan to transfer: replies #10, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, and 32.)
Eight students view the mayor’s plan positively: replies #11, 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23, and 28.
Reply #20 reads: “Not only is this going to affect me in a positive way, but also the following generations after us. I have two younger brothers and when I read this speech, I was happy to know that the Mayor was going to combine major businesses with community colleges to help train students in their field. Although I am a bit upset that Harold Washington wasn’t on his list this year, I am looking forward to the partnerships we have yet to know. I come from a working class family, and with this said, I am thankful that people like Rahm Emmanuel make it easier for people who have a rough time getting an education.”
*It’s a working title. 12keystrokes wants to look at a discourse or two, glance at some presuppositions or preconditions that a community draws upon when having a discussion but that may not always be a part of the community’s discussion.
The Harold Lounge 