Posted by Michael Wendorf on March 07, 1999 at 07:10:35:
In Reply to: Re: "Real Learning" posted by R. John Howe on March 05, 1999 at 05:59:19:
: Dear Michael -
: As I acknowledged at the beginning of my previous post that I was being pedantic. I think the arguments you make are very sound. There are some things that can only be learned when one is face to face with a rug.
: More, since the tactile experience is for me a large part of what I enjoy about rugs, the absence of that dimension does impoverish not just some aspects of learning but enjoyment.
: But if you really insist that we cannot achieve "real learning" about rugs in this medium, I can only respond that I build learning experiences for a living (for about 35 years now) and that you and I draw the line about where "real learning" can happen and where it cannot in different places.
: Regards,
: John Howe
Dear John:
I think what we have is a failure to communicate. You
twist my use of the words "really learn" into "real learning." I am neither a pendant nor pedagogic so I will not debate where or when real learning may occur.
The point, however, is that I do not and have not contended that "real learning" (is there any other kind) has not or cannot occur on the Internet. If it could not I would not be wasting my time or yours with these posts. The point was rather more directed to a deeper understanding, appreciation or knowledge of rugs- something we sometimes refer to connoisseurship I suppose. I hesitate to use that term, but perhaps it helps to better understand what I am driving at. Our German friends refer to a "Kenner"-a knower, this is more of what I was referring to. To really learn and know rugs with a depth of understanding, in my view, is impossible without what I have previously described. I fear that the Internet gives too many people unwarranted confidence that they know more than they really do about rugs and that it will lead even more to our being either unable or unwilling to listen to the rugs themselves.
Michael