Theos-Talk Archives (April 1998 Message tt00598)

I am glad to see that I am not alone in my observation. Links are one of
the key reasons why people visit a website. A static isolated website is of
no interest to the net citizens.

The Internet is still young. The web growth while exponential, still very
new. Experts are still trying to figure out what features are important so
that visitors are motivated to visit your website. Most websites keep track
of the hit statistics to see what level of activity is going on. Anyone
interested in a on-line hit statistics can visit www.drudgereport.com and
get some idea. BTW, this is the site which published Clinton-Lewinsky news
before anyone else.

Much of the problems that Theosophical organizations seem to have is that
the decision makers do not have hands-on experience on the net. Most of
them belong to the previous generation and so lack computer experience.
Most are still in snailmail age and yet to move to e-mail age. Without
first hand experience, it is impossible to understand the net and its
capabilities leave alone coming up with creative ways to use the net to
further the interests of Theosophy.

What is troubling is the total ignorance of organizations about the full
potential of the net and what can be done to further Theosophy. The current
generation which is growing up in net age, is different. I have known 5 and
6 year olds now using the net to access information how to play a video
games and their school projects. When this generation takes over leadership
roles, they will have a full appreciation and the power of the net as a
tool. The question is what is going to happen during the interim.
Organizations may shrink (which is already happening) and their role may
end up being a mechanical one of re-printing classics -- and even this may
disappear in the wake of modern technology moving into e-publishing. Many
of the classics are already on the web and that seems to be the way things
are moving.

In the meantime, we have seen enterprising individuals setting up web pages
which rival those of the organizations (and sometimes the visitors may
think these web pages belong to organizations) and in this level field,
organizational web pages may end up being inconsequential in the large
picture. Evolutionary changes go on and either you get on the train or just
left behind and forgotten.

my 0.02

mkr

At 07:57 AM 4/29/98 -0500, you wrote:
>----------
>> From: "M K Ramadoss" <ramadoss@eden.com>
>>
>> Visiting some of the websites of Theosophical Organizations to see how
>many
>> links are there to other Theosophical Organizations, I was surprised.
>> Larger the organization more isolated they are. You can visit yourself
>and
>> see for yourself.
>
>It is amazing that an organization whose objects promotes Universal
>Brotherhood doesn't even linked websites! One webmaster of one large site
>is actually operating under a "no links" rule!
>
>O.T.O, multiple pagan groups, and even South Park cartoon show have
>webrings that link their sites together. Does TS show that sort of
>cyberspace unity? No.
>Take Doss's challenge. Pretend you've just heard of the TS and try to find
>information on the web. Can you find enough to stimulate you're curiosity?
> Can you find real information about philosophy and beliefs? Or are you
>confronted with disorganization and dogma on death and vegetarianism? (I do
>like the Blavatsky Net. The Australian TS page(http://www.austheos.org.au)
>is nice too. While you're surfing, check out the Ourbourus on the
>Brazilian TS site! (http://www.stb.org.br)
>
>As a community, we do a poor job marketing TS on the web. We're missing an
>opportunity. The potential is there. As Dallas(nodding to Mark) says:
>Theosophy International -- or "withoutwalls" perhaps
>
>I've been reading Alice Bailey's "The Consciousness of the Atom" and
>thinking about evolution. Technology(i.e.the web) is playing a role in our
>social evolution. Look at the changes in our communication and learning.
>Watch how teenagers approach a new video game. Part of the challenge is
>the exploration of the virtual environment, trying to feel their way
>around, and discover what does what and what comes next. It reminds me of
>the shamanic "dreamtime".
>
>I've been wondering if an organization promoting evolution can be true to
>itself without evolving itself and riding in the vangard of social
>evolution. I've been wondering if this isn't part of the problem with the
>TS. The founders were promoters of social evolution of their time--women's
>rights, prohibition for example. Where are we now? Maybe as we're adding
>those links to other TS sites, we should include the Free Tibet sites as
>well.
>
>Pam
>pgiese@snd.softfarm.com
>
>"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light..."