Fwd: [MASSBIRD] Thank you Re: Changing Birds Names
It seems that our neighboring state to the north not only endorses conversation about controversial issues in birding and ornithology, it has gone deep into the waters to ensure both sides have a way to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Congratulations Massachusetts on being the adult in the room. No matter how this resolves, you have played a role in the democratic process. Maybe you can spread the word that controversy need not be bad but that it can promote growth of a healthy organization. I am a bit ashamed of our Connecticut list for its cowardice in the face of an important ornithological issue.
Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT
Begin forwarded message:
From: phawk254@comcast.net
Date: January 24, 2024 at 9:49:03 PM EST
To: massbird@world.std.com
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Thank you Re: Changing Birds Names
Reply-To: phawk254@comcast.net
I'd like to thank and congratulate MassBird contributors (and the moderator) for by-and-large excellent posts supporting and opposing the AOS decision to change eponymous bird names.
Some birding listservs have forbidden further discussion of the topic due to the shrill, often antagonistic quality of many posts. I've gained insights from most of the MassBird posts on this subject, for and against, for which I am grateful and greater insight than I have found on any single website. Posts on some other listservs lent much more heat than light to the issue, occasionally turning quite juvenile. Most MassBird posts on the subject have been well thought out and shed significant light without the heat. These qualities are becoming all too rare on most social media these days.
Thank you for elevating the discussion rather than reducing it to polemics. Your posts are why we need to actively encourage birders to continue to use such listservs as a means of birding community communication and education.
Gratefully,
Paul
Paul M. Roberts
Medford, MA
phawk254@comcast.net
If this list starts getting political or controversial, I'll leave it. I
want to hear about bird sightings and the occasional story or event. But I
draw the line at politics and social controversy. Put your soapbox
somewhere else.
Michael Richardson
Norwalk, CT
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mark Szantyr via CTBirds ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Wed, Jan 24, 2024, 10:09 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Fwd: [MASSBIRD] Thank you Re: Changing Birds Names
To: Ct Birds List ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
It seems that our neighboring state to the north not only endorses
conversation about controversial issues in birding and ornithology, it has
gone deep into the waters to ensure both sides have a way to express their
thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Congratulations Massachusetts on being the
adult in the room. No matter how this resolves, you have played a role in
the democratic process. Maybe you can spread the word that controversy need
not be bad but that it can promote growth of a healthy organization. I am
a bit ashamed of our Connecticut list for its cowardice in the face of an
important ornithological issue.
Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT
Begin forwarded message:
From: phawk254@comcast.net
Date: January 24, 2024 at 9:49:03 PM EST
To: massbird@world.std.com
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Thank you Re: Changing Birds Names
Reply-To: phawk254@comcast.net
I'd like to thank and congratulate MassBird contributors (and the
moderator) for by-and-large excellent posts supporting and opposing the AOS
decision to change eponymous bird names.
Some birding listservs have forbidden further discussion of the topic
due to the shrill, often antagonistic quality of many posts. I've gained
insights from most of the MassBird posts on this subject, for and against,
for which I am grateful and greater insight than I have found on any single
website. Posts on some other listservs lent much more heat than light to
the issue, occasionally turning quite juvenile. Most MassBird posts on the
subject have been well thought out and shed significant light without the
heat. These qualities are becoming all too rare on most social media these
days.
Thank you for elevating the discussion rather than reducing it to
polemics. Your posts are why we need to actively encourage birders to
continue to use such listservs as a means of birding community
communication and education.
To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send an email with just "join" or
"leave" in the subject or body to: ctbirds-request@lists.ctbirding.org
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birders together statewide. Please support COA:
https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/
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