A space for what?
Well, lately we've heard just about everywhere that more than two people gather at once, that there's a lack of spaces - of "safe spaces" ,of "recreational spaces", of "spaces to talk about issues at the heart of our teaching and learning", and of "spaces for dissent". Blogging allows all of that, and more. Well, at least for now - until someone somewhere catches on and realises that real discussion and debate and communication might be happening here, and starts regulating it through Policies and Procedures and Frameworks and Forms. But for now, while it exists in glorious unregulated anarchy (ooh!) the possibility exists to use it in quite novel, exciting and innovative ways - which offers quite subversive possibilities.
Imagine, for example, librarians - excluded from "academic debates" because these happen at Faculty Boreds (sic) and - in theory - in the Senate, which exclude them by virtue of the conditions of employment - participating in Academic Discussion with academics in a range of departments, CHEDdars, and arb others, and actually (gulp!) contributing! And (gulp!) having that contribution acknowledged!
Imagine, too, academics talking - not just across departments, but even (shudder) across faculties! And not just about parking, or the length of the queues at Java Junction, or "can I swop one of my Zoloft for one of your Valium?"...
Imagine, also, someone getting a glimpse of Greg's private life, and bumping into him in the passage and asking about Tiny Tot - as if Greg was a real human being with a life, rather than just Mr Turnitin? Might this mean that... others... might also have... lives... outside of UCT...? (OK, probably not **everyone**....)
Unthinkable!
Terrifying!
Best not say anything.... Just in case someone actually catches on - and closes down the space.