Research update and thanks

[Una Smith]

Christine Hine <Christine.Hine at btinternet.com> wrote:
>There are clearly a lot of women working in systematics, and indeed
>subscribed to the list. But few seem to post messages. Why might this
>be? Is it a problem?

The relevant question is perhaps:  Are women in the field more or
less likely to subscribe to TAXACOM, and are those who subscribe
more or less likely to post?  I don't know the answer.  I also
don't know that the question is even interesting or important.


>Some people clearly spend a lot of time contributing to the list. What
>motivates you?

I have in the past contributed a lot.  I did so to teach myself
and/or work through ideas.  And to build my network with colleagues
I rarely/never meet in person (I usually cannot attend the summer
professional meetings).


>Apart from the public replies sent to the list, do messages generate
>private email correspondence? Do many of you respond privately to
>queries, rather than to the list?

Yes, sometimes.


>as before, direct to me and not to the list, to avoid clogging up the
>list.

TAXACOM is a discussion list, Christine, and so far you have not
posted a digest of the replies sent to you directly.  So I prefer
not to send my own contribution into your "black hole".

        Una Smith

Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS K-710, Los Alamos, NM  87545