Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon

Subject: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: dwditty
Date: 07 May 99 - 05:41 AM

Since mid 1997, I have been visiting the 'cat just about every day. From my first visits I have tried to explain the Mudcat to friends and aquaintances, alike. I just don't seem to be able to put the whole business into words. They listen politely, but no one really picks up on it and checks it out. Any tips on how you explain it?
DW

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Vixen
Date: 07 May 99 - 08:51 AM

I don't even try. I give 'em the address, and tell 'em to check it out. They usually come back raving about the DT--but none that I know of have stayed to talk.

V

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Bert
Date: 07 May 99 - 08:57 AM

I dunno, thought it was 'cos we're all bloody crazy.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Peter T.
Date: 07 May 99 - 09:26 AM

There is a fascinating discussion of the Mudcat phenomenon in the Hua-Yen Buddhist sutra called The Jewelled Net of Indra (approx. 7th century Chinese). It discusses the lives of those who have recognised interconnectedness without losing autonomy. A profound influence on later Zen teachings.

Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Cara
Date: 07 May 99 - 11:07 AM

Even the people who told me about this site for the DT don't "do" the Forum. I started here by posting a request that I really needed an answer for (but still haven't received!!) and kept checking back for the answer. Everyone was very helpful and nice (because being the naturally bright woman I am, I made none of those horrifying newbie mistakes). True to form, I was sidetracked, and never left.

This place embodies the promise of the Web for me. I guess people who are searching for another kind of interaction just don't get sucked in.

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 07 May 99 - 12:40 PM

When I tell about it, I too get dumbfounded stares of amazement, but only one or 2 have come to check it out and stayed on. That's a good ratio for this ever growing community, I guess!
Allison

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Mudjack
Date: 07 May 99 - 01:28 PM

Sometimes the newbies come on board with a request that might have been covered in the past so we generaly give them the old (look here) reference instead of patiently pampering them through and letting them find that we are really not rude, just been there done that already. The chat group is special in that most of what is covered is right in the heart of what I like. Folk style music. We might have the stigma of being insiders since you have to follow much of whats going in order to know what its all about.The Mudcat Cafe site is a treasure to anyone who wants to research folk songs and music artist. So I guess what I'm saying dw is, "hell no I can't describe it either" Mudjack

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: The Shambles
Date: 07 May 99 - 05:28 PM

Cara

What was your question?

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Cara
Date: 07 May 99 - 05:39 PM

Shambles-

It was about the lyrics to an obscure song by the Amazing Rhythm Aces. I was told the name, but I can't remember it right now. The lyrics were something like:

I'm still drinkin' gin when I can buy it/ I sure bought a lot of it today... Since you've gone, the weather's turned much warmer/Really not a lot for me to tell...

A friend of mine, who has moved away, used to do a really lovely slow version of this song that I loved, and only being able to remember fragments of the lyrics is driving me mad. BUT, I got a Mudcat addiction in the end, if not my lyrics, which is more than fair.

Still, if anyone knows the lyrics...

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Helen
Date: 07 May 99 - 07:30 PM

Hi all,

I was going to start a thread about this topic - well almost the same, really.

A couple of weeks ago I was on a Qantas plane (Australian airline) between Sydney & Melbourne and I read an article about the internet. It was based on the new book by Margaret Wertheim called The Pearly Gates of Cyberspace. The article was called New Space, Old Space. The article focuses on the similarities between cyberspace and the metaphysical interests of the Middle Ages. Quote: " Once again we find ourselves with a material realm described by science, and an immaterial realm that operates as a different plane of the real".

Now, I know this all sounds like complex philosophising but the article goes into some really interesting stuff about the realities we can create in our minds based on our cyber-experiences. And when I read about Catspaw being really sick and I'm crying all over my keyboard I was also thinking on a different level about what this article said. I'm planning to buy the book or try to find it in a library but I'll also check out the website of Qantas and see if they have the articles there.

If I have to I'll summarise the key points and put them here. It says a lot about our cybercommunity, and I was thinking very much of Mudcat and also the Harp Mailing List when I read it.

More later Helen

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Helen
Date: 07 May 99 - 07:44 PM

Okay guys, here's a brief publisher's blurb about the Wertheim book. I tried to get into Amazon.com but it didn't want to let me in, but there may be some reviews of it in there to give you a more detailed idea of what it is about.

Helen

Pearly Gates of Cyberspace Margaret Wertheim The Internet may seem an unlikely gateway for the soul, but as Margaret Wertheim argues in this bold, imaginative book, cyberspace has in recent years become a repository for immense spiritual yearning. The perfect realm awaits, we are told, not behind the pearly gates but behind electronic gateways labelled '.com' and '.net'. ISBN: 0868247448 - Hardcover - Popular Science

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Tucker
Date: 07 May 99 - 09:08 PM

Cara what was your original question?, brb, gotta read the other threads. ok good points here folks, I think. I have found it so easy to be super sweet on here and by the same token to go postal. Please don't go either route. Go out to your gardens, take a walk, sing a song to your child/grandchild/pet/ creek. just do something human. Kiss someone, call mom/dad. The net is wonderful, but we are like road rage here. I never believed cyber sex was possible until I interviewed a lot of people, Oh it is, just be careful and be nice.

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 08 May 99 - 12:26 PM

Explanation is always difficult. Try starting with something easy, like magnetism or God, and work your way up to Mudcat.

I never try to explain the forum: just suggest that it's a great supplement to the DT for finding songs. An amazing number of folks seem to stick around for the conversation.

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 May 99 - 01:39 PM

I tell all my friends "you MUST check out the Mudcat!" They nod, they smile, they don't. Their loss.

But I DO wish that Daisy DeBolt, Mose Scarlett, and Jim Condie would become part of the community. Hey Tony Burns, think we could convince them? Also Angus Finnan.

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Tony Burns
Date: 08 May 99 - 01:53 PM

It's all in the timing Rick. I've known about Mudcat for years but only just joined the discussions in the last month or so.

Of the group you mentioned I think Daisy is the most likely in the short term. (If we get Mose here Max will have to at least double the disk space available to hold discussions. :-))

I was taling to Paul Mills on Wednesday night. He may be on his way here.

On a slight variation of this topic when do you think you will make it to the chat room? I've spent some interesting time there and made at least one friend.

Like I said at the top of this message, it's timing. Get your friends over here to look up lyrics then, when they are ready, encourage them to the discussions, chat and (when Max is ready) voice over IP. All in their own time.

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Helen
Date: 08 May 99 - 08:06 PM

Tony Burns

I've tried to use the Caht Room and get an error message. I forget that it is there most of the time because there is nothing on the forum page to link straight to it. I only know how to get to it by doing a forum filter or search for the threads about the chat room and going through the link on that page. Can we have a link from the main forum page please, Max?

Helen

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Tucker
Date: 08 May 99 - 09:46 PM

Folks, as much as I would like to try THIS chat room no one is ever on when I go there. I have made jokes there, leaving them for anyone who wanders by, but no one is ever there!!! may I suggest a link on the headliner?

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 May 99 - 12:04 AM

All you ahve to do to go there is backspace your address at the top to the slash right after mudcat.org, then type in chat/irc.cfm and hit enter.

Try around 9pm EDT, that seems ot be a popular time.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: BK
Date: 09 May 99 - 01:16 AM

Tony: I reckon your probably Canadian, given the above discussion & names mentioned, so would like to know if that's the Paul Mills who recorded w/Stan Rogers, 'n if so, does he get a lot of questions abt Stan 'n his songs, travels, personal life, etc..? Will those of who cherish Stan's memory not tire him w/such questions? We wouldn't want to scare him off by bein' too nosey or bringing back (now) sad memories for him, but I could well imagine folks might have a question or two. I used to work on aircraft accident investigations at one point in my varried carreer(s). For years I've wanted to know more abt the circumstances of Stans' death... In many ways he was sort of larger-than-life, if you know what I mean..

Cheers, BK

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Art Thieme
Date: 10 May 99 - 12:09 AM

I've been here for the last 40 years---waiting!

By that I mean I've been on the road doing the music that long--making friends and acquaintances--swapping love and songs all those long miles. Now that I can't do it, I'm still "doin' it" here. Old friends like Sandy are here--new friends like Abby & Katey & Mick & Pat. But its just what I've done all the time but without leaving home. I put words on my banjo like Pete did---but mine said THIS MACHINE KILLS TIME. Tonight I'm gonna put the same slogan on my computer!

I'm reminded of my favorite poem by Walt Whitman--(and I paraphrase):

I depart as air...
Seeking me one place, not finding me there, search another...
I stopped somewhere
Waiting for you.

Art

Subject: RE: Tips on explaining the Mudcat phenomenon
From: Tony Burns
Date: 10 May 99 - 08:26 AM

BK: Yes I am Canadian (although born in Glasgow) and yes Paul Mills is the man who produced all but one of Stan's records and plays on many of the cuts. I suppose he has been fielding Stan questions for a lot of years now but I have no idea how he feels about doing that. If you want to know more about Stan there is a biography out. I found it very interesting. I believe it is not authorized by Stan's estate. Perhaps one of the other Mudders can clairfy that and/or supply the name of the book. I think it will answer many of your questions BK.

Helen: Although I have been successful in getting to the chat room via the java client from a browser I have found that using a separate chat client works best for me. I have spent hours in the chat room both chatting with others and waiting for someone to show up. I start the chat client, join the room, and then go and read the forums. I keep a sliver of the chat window visible so I can see if anyone arrives.

The only place I have trouble getting to the chat room is from the office. I think it has to do with the firewall and I am greatful that I can't connect because my boss would not likely want me chatting with Mudders when I am being paid to do something else.

9:00pm eastern time on Monday is a good time to look for folks in the chat room. It is the same time that Rick Fielding's radio show is on and (usually) available via the internet. (We can make fun of Rick in cyberspace while he is on the air and can't defend himself.) I will be there tonight although I may miss the first few minutes due to an 8:00pm appointment.