The future of the list -- nanny time?

[ckaratnytsky]

     I don't want to belabor this touchy issue, but, as one of the few 
     female subscribers, I thought I ought to pipe up.  I'm sorry, Vaska, 
     my Slavic sister, to disagree with your analysis.  I have neither 
     experienced nor witnessed gender-based bias here, pace DYB, who felt 
     otherwise, and whom I respect and admire.  Nor, regarding Doug's 
     comments, have I have ever found the list to be hostile to women.  I'm 
     sorry to all who feel this way, but I would ask you to reexamine your 
     perceptions and experiences here honestly.
     
     As far I am concerned, Andrew's analysis of this issue is accurate:  
     Previous and current low-levels of participation from yours truly have 
     not much to do with gender-based feelings of inferiority, and 
     everything to do with the fact that my computer is housed and owned by 
     the New York Public Library.  While I have been known to come in to 
     the office to play with the P-list on days and evenings off, workplace 
     issues, including recently instituted policy wrt privacy and 
     intellectual property, render that difficult these days.  (I suppose 
     this is the opportune time to announce that I have arranged for the 
     long-term loan of a laptop and modem, and will be able to subscribe to 
     the list from home.  My new address will be posted when I get set-up 
     this coming week-end.)
     
     This is not to say that I *don't* have feelings of inferiority.  I do, 
     but they are based in feelings of *intellectual* inferiority in the 
     presence of my betters.  (You are among them, btw, Vaska.)  Andrew's 
     recollection of the good old bad old days when people were afraid to 
     post is also accurate:  This was true in my case, and I would make 
     bold to suggest that this is what may be stopping others.
     
     Regarding gender relations, I'd venture the generalization that most 
     of the men here are women at heart.  A notion which I hope they 
     recognize for the compliment it is.
     
     Chris

     P.S.  Also, please consider that your use of the phrase (and notion) 
     "nanny time" to derogate the idea of a list moderator contains far 
     greater inherent sexism than Andrew's use of the more neutral 
     "shrinking violet."