BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised

Subject: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: selby
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 11:54 AM

As I look at some of the threads I start to see a Europe US division. Some, not all catters seem only to be comunicating with catters in thier own area and in some cases shut a thread down. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:04 PM

How can anyone manage to shut a thread down, even if the wanted to?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Morticia
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:10 PM

I don't evem know where a lot of mudcatters are from.It makes little/no difference to me where they are, unless I'm on the cadge for a recipe or a translation.I haven't seen any evidence at all of what you appear to have noticed,Selby.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:11 PM

Well, the time difference means one lot's on the web when the other's in beddy-bye for much of the time; and there's plenty of US/UK/Canadian etc banter.

But I think good music is good music the world over, and I reckon the music threads are usually full of contributions from everywhere.

LFF

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:21 PM

I haven't noticed this and I don't believe this is happening. Having said that, thre are of course some threads which are likely to be more of interest to people living in a particular coutry or area and I think that people respond to theads that interest them rather than where poster come from.

If I was to extend Mudcat to include sessions on Hearme and, PalTalk, Joining in with the ICQ crowd during Mudcat Radio, etc. I actually spend far more time communicating with Americans than I do with people living my side of the pond.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:33 PM

Selby, I may just be dense, but I'm not sure what you're talking about.

I think most of the regional threads have to do with regional real world events. Doesn't stop people from somewhere else posting, though.

Folk music has always been about communities, and that usually means where people live. I really enjoy reading about events, and the "this is the way we do it where I live" discussions. We talk and we learn.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:35 PM

Well, I try to avoid the americans here... does that count?

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:42 PM

Ernest Hemingway said, "Write about what you know about !"

Everyone is someplace.

That's just what we know best.

Love,

Art

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:48 PM

The French hate the Germans,
The Germans hate the Poles,
Italians hate Yugoslavs,
South Africans hate the Dutch,
And I don't like anybody very much!

"The Merry Minuet" performed by the Kingston trio more years ago than I want to remember.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: mg
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 12:55 PM

I think it is great...it has led to people meeting each other in person, and parties and new bands and concerts...what is not to like?

mg

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 01:10 PM

Most of its been said above, but selby, if you notice a bigger difference now it might be due to the US elections and that particular focus with all of its offshoots.

Like Jeri, I'm dense too. If you see something different, could you give us a concrete example? I haven't noticed what you're talking about outside of some peripheral issues.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 01:37 PM

I don't really see it happening. As has been said some threads will spark more interest in the US or UK but I certainly find myself communicating with folk worldwide _ Nova Scotia. New Zealand, US and even Yorkshire!!!!!Perhaps I visit different threads!

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 01:59 PM

To maybe prove the point. Can anyone help on this request HERE. A request from Italy for info about some (Irish?) polkas.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 02:07 PM

Like McGrath, I don't know, really, where most 'catters are when they post, although I have found out some folks' locations incidentally. I haven't observed any problem; but then I don't post much, and I skip the bulk of the BS threads.

Bill Foster

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Bernard
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 02:18 PM

Perhaps the 'gatherings' are giving a false impression? Obviously (what a redundant word that is!) it is difficult for gatherings to be anything but regional, but I don't give a monkeys where anyone is from, as long as they don't take my lighthearted jibes too seriously!

We all have to learn to laugh at ourselves, and accept that others will inevitably have a preconceived idea of the characteristics someone from a particular area my be likely to exhibit.

The UK gatherings have, so far, dispelled such myths - in fact, we had a 'colonial' at Llanstock!

Maybe the reason for this thread was somewhat tongue-in-cheek?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: paddymac
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 02:53 PM

I'm with Jon.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 03:29 PM

Shambles, what was asked in that thread was very specific and even Malcolm Douglas (who I beleive to be one of our more knowledegable members) could not answer it. Are you proposing that we should give a "No I haven't a clue" response when someone posts from Italy? Or perhaps that such responses should be made in general - with my limited knowledge, that would make for a lot of postings!

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 03:43 PM

Jon. I am only suggesting that the request probably demonstrates that The Mudcat is as universal as it ever was, if not more so.

A "no I haven't a clue" post to a thread that has not received a satisfactory answer, whether from Italy or anywhere else will at least keep the thread alive until someone does answer it. The more attention that the request receives, the more chance that it will be answered.

In truth I do not think that Malcolm's "I do not know" post was not there when I posted the link.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 03:53 PM

Sorry Shambles, I missunderstood you (I thought you were referring to the lack of responses as in indication that people from some countries are "regionalised")but I do now.

BTW, MD's post did contain some info and a "looking into it". I didn't mean to imply that it was the type of "haven't a clue" reponse that I would have to give.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 04:04 PM

"In truth I do not think that Malcolm's "I do not know" post was not there when I posted the link."

I sometimes have difficulty in understanding my posts too.

I think I mean his post was not there......

I don't know what I mean. Know what I mean?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 04:15 PM

If anything we are getting less regionalised - even in the time I've been here there's been less of a sense that this is essentially a USA site, and that people from elsewhere are on the fringe.

And all the interest and kerfuffle over the Presidential elections doesn't go against that - anybody from anywhere has been able to chip in there, because it's something that does actually make a real difference to our lives, bothy the question who gets elected, and the question of how far the oldest sizeable democracy on the planet may be veering away from democratic principles or not.

We are still very heavily centred on a few Western and English-speaking countries, and that shows itself both in the kinds of folk music that tend to be explored, and in the BS threads. But I think that will change over time, and I hope it will.

But alongside this, it's great if Mudcatters in different places can build up links in the face-to-face world. Once I commented on the fact that, by and large, this is a more humane and friendly places than any other broadly similar website or newsgroup I've seen, and someone suggested that one reason for that is that quite a lot of us have met other Mudcatters in person. I think that is quite true.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 06:41 PM

There is no Orillia clique, I repeat, there is no Orillia clique. Is this what you meant selby?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: CarolC
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 07:16 PM

sophocleese, how can I be an honorary member of the Orillia clique if there isn't one? Does that mean I have to give back my key to the municipal porta-potty?

Carol (feeling crushed in the U.S.)

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 07:34 PM

Oh this is the worst! Now I've been excluded from a club that doesn't exist. How bad can it get?

If there is regionalism here, I've missed it. Specifics, Selby?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 07:36 PM

I'm having trouble focusing on wheteher this thread is supposed to be humerous or serious.

I think the gatherings we've had lately do show a tedency to be regional for obvious reasons. And the UK contingent have more gatherings than we do in the States.

We tried to overcome that regionalization in the Manchester gatherings where we met in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Manchester, UK, at the same time and tried to hook the two parties together. Unfortunately the UK group couldn't come up with a laptop and the connection failed so we in the US shared music with individual members from the UK to Oz over Paltalk.

If we have regionalized it is a large region encompassing a hemisphere and a half!

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: little john cameron
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 07:47 PM

Ah'm here in downtown Newfoundland aw by masel.Wid that be a regional clique o ane,or dae ye need mair.Orillia has ane wi naebody.It's aw very mysterious, is it no? ljc

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 08:25 PM

I think that I can speak for the whole UK, when I say that The Mudcat isn't becoming regionalised.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: flattop
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 08:35 PM

Has Little John got a jig hook in his finger? He types funny.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: flattop
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 09:15 PM

And I have it from good authority, the folks who would be in an Orillia clique if there was one but there isn't one, that there is no Orillia clique and if there was a clique it would rhyme with pique and we wouldn't be looking for new members.

Could you keep it down about the McGill key, Carol before you incite Yorkshire men and women to make mudcat pilgrimages around North America search for toilet keys? Are you trying to start an international incident? I hope it's crushed pineapple that you're feeling.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: CarolC
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 11:50 PM

Oooh, flattop! I've gone all wobbly just thinking about all those Yorkshire Mudcat men pilgrimaging around North America in search of toilet keys...

(most of them play accordion, you know)

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 01:40 AM

Well, I was going to make a goodwill Mudcat tour to Australia, but then John in Brisbane told he has an 8-foot snake living under his house.
Worse than that, I found out Alison has a husband living in her house!
Maybe I'll try Europe....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Gary T
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 01:57 AM

I guess I have to admit I'm confused by the question. If I read it correctly, the contention is that some of us post only to threads containing exclusively posts by others in the same geographical area. (I mention posting rather than communicating, as anyone can read any thread without our knowing about it, thus communication can occur that no one but the individual reader is aware of.) This raises numerous questions:

Is it known for a fact that said people are indeed posting only to these particular threads (in other words, has EVERY recent post by these folks and/or EVERY recent thread been scrutinized)?

If so, so what? (Not meaning to be disdainful, rather wondering what, if any, difference does it make to anyone.)

What is meant by "shut a thread down"? (What I would expect it to mean is something I've never seen happen.)

selby, some clarification please?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 07:11 AM

"I'm having trouble focusing on whether this thread is supposed to be humourous or serious."

What can it mean to say that a thread "is supposed to be humorous or serious" - who would be doing the supposing? It's a bit like saying a day is meant to be sunny or windy. It is what it is.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: mkebenn
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 07:38 AM

Soph, is the Orillia mentioned the pretty little town at the top of Simco in Ont? Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: flattop
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 09:42 AM

Let's not forget the Yorkshire women, Carol. Do they play squeezebox too? If they have squeezeboxes and pentatonics they would just need to find McGills where they could sit and play with themselves. A frightening thought, all those Yorkshire(wo)men mulling around North America in search of Orillia and one of Orillia's world famous blue plastic McGill toilets. I trust that that doesn't sound too cliquey.

Speaking of Yorkshire, what's Yorkshire pudding? Is that something too risque for our McGills?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 11:30 AM

Yorkshire Pud

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 11:40 AM

Selby, I was aware of this in the Manchester gathering / Llanstock threads, to some extent, but that's unavoidable. I hope that the positive things being said there would only serve to encourage others to attend future gatherings, or even to set up their own meetings. I'd hate it if it made anybody feel excluded at all...

I can't say I've noticed what you describe in any other threads- judge from the Xmas pud thread?

Noreen

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: sophocleese
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 12:12 PM

mkebenn, yes indeed the Orillia being mentioned is that pretty little town that hosts the Stephen Leacock house. Do you live nearby?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 12:22 PM

That Yorkshire accent makes me melt. They can have the key to my toilet even if they aren't red-blooded Americans. I'm not prejudiced - regionalized - but not prejudiced.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: flattop
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 12:53 PM

Thanks for the link Shambles. Why is there no pictures of this pudding? Is it a particularily unattractive lump of dough? The page you linked and about dozen other pudding pages that I checked have no picture. I found picture of Yorkshire and pictures of Yorkshire-Duroc piglets but no pudding. Are piglets more photogenic? Would Yorkshire Pudding look good on a plate with grits or must it be served with mushy peas or peas pie? Is it really eatable? Do you recommend it?

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 01:04 PM

Flattop, try serving it with a roast beef dinner. It is well worth trying.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 01:23 PM

Picture of said Yorkshire Pudding

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: sophocleese
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 04:50 PM

Yorkshire Pudding, oh god I'm getting hungry. When I was a kid my grandmother would make 'little orkshires' for me, they were delicious. Now I'm going to have to make some myself.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 04:53 PM

Flattop - The Yorkshire Pudding is a queen amongst puddings, and can in no way be described as an unattractive lump. Unfortunately it is frequently murdered by people who think that they can cook!

I'll see if I can fish out the text of an old monologue concerning the first Yorkshire pudding and how it was made. Perhaps if Mouldy tunes into this thread, she might beat me to it!
Back (Quack) later,
GtD

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: CarolC
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 05:30 PM

Well, flattop, as far as Yorkshire women are concerned, I really can't say. Actually, I can't speak for the Yorkshire men either. But if you check the pictures of the Llanstock event you'll see several U.K. men playing different kinds of accordions and squeezeboxes, but no women playing them.

The ability to play with yourself (in or out of a McGill) is one of the beauties of the accordion. Give it a try. See for yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 05:42 PM

Yorkshire Pudden

Nice!

LFF

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: John Routledge
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 06:14 PM

Selby - Perceived Regionalisation?

Whilst people from all over the world can come to any organised Mudcat event it is inevitable that the majority of people attending will come from relatively near.

To this extent the event is regionalised. Similarly making arrangements "in public" on a thread is carried out by the people attending and so is again regionalised to use your word.

In reality it cannot be any other way as for example I cannot see me being of much use in the setting up of a weekend music gathering in say North Carolina never mind actually attending.

The antidote to regionalisation is for all parts of the Mudcat globe to get in there and organise events and who knows I might even get to North Carolina one of these days.

MUDCAT COMPUTER LINKS ARE AN IMPORTANT BUT NOT ONLY INGREDIENT IN THE MUDCAT PIE.

Everybody keep communicating. Cheers G.Broon

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 06:53 PM

Love the link LFF, thanks!

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 07:22 PM

I must tell you, I was at a regional gathering - Barry Finn's party in NH, USA, where we sat and sang to people in other parts of the US, the UK and Australia, and listened to them sing to us in PalTalk. I was used to this sort of thing, but a few people at the party asked "Are we really hearing people in ENGLAND?!?!"

I don't think this sort of thing has happened anywhere else before.

Now, imagine people in Australia listening to a singer from Scotland at a party in the US...

Subject: RE: BS: is mudcat becaming regionalised
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 08:22 PM

Because that is what happened that night.