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While I agree with Paul Resnick's comment that it is the possibly
pernicious use of SNA this is of most concern, and not its sheer
existence,*

I do agree with the original poster's comment that we should work hard to
build a positive image.

Why?

University human subjects committees (called IRBs by the Mericans) have an
awful lot of discretionary power and are subject to fads. If they start
believing that SNA itself is intrinsically pernicious or dangerous, then
much of our research will stop cold in its tracks.

So I suggest going to the website (see archived last SOCNET digest) and
voting yes for SNA.

 Barry
 _____________________________________________________________________

  Barry Wellman         Professor of Sociology        NetLab Director
  wellman at chass.utoronto.ca  http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman

  Centre for Urban & Community Studies          University of Toronto
  455 Spadina Avenue    Toronto Canada M5S 2G8    fax:+1-416-978-7162

  You're invited to visit -- and contribute to -- my new fun website
 "Updating Cybertimes: It's Time to Bring Our Culture into Cyberspace"
             http://chass.utoronto.ca/oldnew/cybertimes.php
 _____________________________________________________________________

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