A SLIDE:

In "MOO or Mistakenness" two years ago, Michael made the fascinating claim that "A log of our encounter in a MOO session is, in some sense, impossible." Of course, in a way, that sounds like it circumvents our purpose here.  Does the static, perhaps later-annotated MOO Log (InterMOO, ReinView, whatever you  may call it) destabilize our ability to understand what is happening in (to use Holmevik's word) cyphertextual environments?

Mick asks, "Basically, Michael, is logging, editing, and annotating this MOO Log ... possible?"
Joel wants to hear ... needs to hear the answer Michael has to this.
MichaelJ says, "Ooops, sorry, I was looking at my copy of _Agrippa_ ... Of course it is impossible, this text, written as it is read and read as it is written, will disappear in an editing and in its place another will appear, also written as it is read (by you and the readers both)"
MichaelJ says, "From Agrippa:""
MichaelJ says, "I hesitated"
MichaelJ says, "before untying the bow"
MichaelJ says, "that bound this book together."
MichaelJ says, "A black book:"
MichaelJ says, "ALBUMS"
MichaelJ says, "CA. AGRIPPA"
MichaelJ says, "Order Extra Leaves"
MichaelJ says, "By Letter and Name"
MichaelJ says, "A Kodak album of time-burned"
MichaelJ says, "black construction paper"
MichaelJ smiles
MichaelJ says, "The point is the same. The night they unveiled _Agrippa_, Kevin Begos the publisher said that he was "uploading a single copy" to the Net. Hah! The changing texts changes and stays"
Joel agrees:  it was a conversation that took place, and you can't enter the conversation, engaging those characters that were there on the MOO, just like you can't enter a conversation that happened yesterday.  However, that new text -- the one that replaces the synchronous conversation -- has many potentials itself for learners.  No, you can't "enter the same conversation," but yes, you can learn from it in many ways.
Sandye nods... I get it! Everything is archived from the moment of utterance (I'm a genealogist).
MichaelJ [to Sandye]: Yes, we utter what we've archived as "what we said once"
Mick [to Sandye]: no ... only that which is archivable is archive from the moment of utterance.  My phone call to you earlier was not recorded (I don't think) and is therefore not archived.
Joel [to Sandye]: well .. .not quite, because those words, once uttered, still direct the conversation that is at hand ... the words are still active agents.  But when the conversation comes to a close, we're arguing, it is archived.
Mick says, "That's why I think talking about the orality of electronic communication is somewhat misleading, Ong notwithstanding.  Or McLuhan for that matter.  This is text; we can save and copy it.  Oral communication is *entirely* ephemeral."
MichaelJ says, "Gotta go, folks, this is too much a siren song and I have a class to prepare and a recommendation to write and three talks in four days next week in Iowa ..."
Sandye [to Mick]: no it's not ... oral communication still changes the listeners who act upon what they have heard ... it has lasting effects
Joel asks, "but then I would have to argue against making such constrictions on the notion of "conversation."  That is, if reading a MOO log engages my interest and I re-start the conversation about it, did the conversation ever end?  And if not, didn't I just engage (or revive) that conversation?"
Mick says, "Before Michael goes, Mark and Michael -- do you have further questions of us, comments on the process or what was said?  You will of course be given an opportunity to write a more static response to this Log when it is available alter this week."
Mick sighs ... OK Michael.  Safe travels.  See you online!
bernstein waves
Joel says, "thank you so much, Mark and Michael.  It was an invigorating pleasure talking with you.  :)"
Sandye waves to Michael
Joel waves.
MichaelJ says, "Nope, I had a good time myself. Maybe we got side-tracked too much by the in-hand versus web talk (easy answer: the web won), otherwise also the head-counting argument will never be settled but has to be made."
MichaelJ waves to all and shouts "Thanks!"
MichaelJ has disconnected.
Mick says, "I've got another 15 minutes or so ..."
bernstein says, "fine with me"
Joel unfortunately doesn't have more time, so I need to get to other work.
Joel says, "thank you so much, Mark."
bernstein says, "sure"
Joel says, "goodnight"
bernstein says, "glad to help out"
Mick says, "Soooo..."
bernstein waves
Joel goes out.