Reputation (was Re: [Wikipedia-l] Re: Quenya language request, and Chinese Wikipedia again)

Wed Feb 23 18:42:58 UTC 2005

Mark Williamson wrote:

>I have tried before, but nobody notices, nobody cares.
>
>In fact, if anything, things have gotten worse for me whenever I have shut up.
>
>Mark
>
Just because nobody says anything does not mean that nobody notices or 
cares.  If I am not involved with the subjects for which you advocate it 
doesn't matter if I notice or care.  There are many things said on this 
list and elsewhere that I notice and decide that my best contribution to 
the subject would be to say nothing.  For most of us interest in the 
Ossetian language will at best never be any more than marginal.  We all 
feel that our time is best spent on other issues.

It may be sad that many of these lesser known languages are on the path 
to extinction, but unless they generate their own will to live it's not 
going to happen.  The non-speakers can do no more than let them know 
that the means are available.  Nagging about it will accomplish no more 
than somebody's mother nagging after her kid to clean up his room.

You don't need to be noticed by everybody unless you're running for 
office.  If you reduce the number of your comments it's only natural 
that the number of responses will drop.  If you then concentrate your 
efforts on a few things, and work co-operatively with others there  to 
find a common solution you will be noticed there.  The notice will 
certainly be from a smaller group, but it will be a group whose opinion 
matters more in that context.

Ec