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Re: BNL online? -Reply

Hello Bill,

I agree with you that the F&E listing is not the only reason one joins
the AKA (or any other specialist society) but for many it is probably a
contributory cause -- whether they buy from it, or not. I look at it
every month, as I used to do with Lennie's N&R listing. By the way, is
the new N&R Committee chair planning to continue Lennie's practice to
list available fish in the BNL?

I also agree, that besides self-interest, most of us are willing to
contribute to the common weal. As you say, the line where selflessness
and exploitation meet is very fine. I find it also subjective. What I
have very little tolerance for is when I perceive, rightly or wrongly,
that somebody is looking for a free ride. Not necessarily in the sense
of paying *money* for value received, but in the sense that the world
*owes* it to them -- "they deserve it", as the current advertising
slogan goes!

I am not so certain that Internet will replace the printed media in my
lifetime. Remember the "paperless office" of 20 years ago? I know a
scientist, with three kids (now grown), who does not own a TV -- never
has -- and it has been on the market for 50 years. (He does have a
computer, though.) So, go figure!

Having sounded so very righteous above, I really don't mind leveling the
playing field for those in a less fortunate geographical position. But
don't play me for a sucker! 

If I sound bitter -- I am. Couple days ago I received a letter from Iraq
(yes, IRAQ) asking for all kinds of killie-related goodies, without even
offering to trade them for local Aphanius species -- however impractical
such a transaction might prove to be. So don't mind my ranting too much,
I'll settle down in a while!

Best,

George S

 


William Vannerson wrote:
 
> There's a fine line here that is also at the crux of the "to be > or not to be" digital BNL.
> 
> First of all, if the AKA were to distribute the BNL on-line, I would suggest
> that only the F&E listing be sent to non-members.  The rest of the BNL is
> club business and should be kept that way.
> 
> Secondly, the bigger question would be "what are the benefits of the
> AKA and why join?"  IMHO the F&E list is not the prime motive to join.  In
> fact, I have never obtained fish through the BNL.  My first killies where
> obtained from my involvement on the Killies list, well before I joined the
> AKA.  I now get fish from list folks and from my local club members.
> 
> If the BNL F&E listing is perceived to be the primary reason for joining the
> AKA, then the organization is in trouble because the Internet will replace
> the F&E eventually (sooner not later).
> 
> I joined for three reasons:
> 
> 1. To learn, primarily through JAKA.
> 2. To meet fellow killie keepers through AKA conventions.
> 3. To support the hobby.
> 
> The last point is not because I'm a philanthropist, because I'm not.  I could
> easily figure out other ways to spend my dues dollars.  But I do
> recognize that killies will never be a commercially available option and
> that the general availability of them to hobbyist, like myself, depends upon
> the incredible people that forage through the wild areas of the world to
> collect them and upon an organization like the AKA.
> 
> The AKA provides structure and consistency to the hobby.  And since I
> intend to participate in this hobby for many years to come, I will support
> the AKA, warts and all.
> 
> I'm I that different from the rest?
> 
> Do you join solely because of the F&E listing?
> 
> Or have you not joined because you perceive the F&E listing as the only
> reason to join and you can find you fish elsewhere, like from the lists?
> 
> Bill Vannerson
> http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/william_vannerson
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