Glen: Gee, _I_ would be interested in my own views on Chomsky, if only
I had a better grapple on his theories other than a very passing
knowledge of its existence. That goes for Piaget too.
Gerry here: Both Chomsky and Piaget are on the web. Perhaps their
ideas are a bit difficult to understand since both of them are/were
astute scholars but with a bit of concentration you shouldn't have that
much difficulty understanding what they are saying. They seem to
represent both ends of the language question.
As far as your own ideas -- that's great when you become famous like
Chomsky and Piaget but for now you need to proceed one step at a time
(that's the way academe functions). And you need references with
bibliographic documentation. That I really know! I'm stuck here in CA
without access to a decent library and although I have had access to the
web, I'm still not facile enough with the computer stuff to figure out
how to proceed to research a particular academic topic in depth (I
always think that I'm missing something important). I have had the
opportunity to join several decent "chat groups" and from corresponding
with learned folks I've been able to glean some biblio information but
it certainly is NOT like having access to a good library. Plus,
electronic access works for a general review of a topic, but for in
depth study, one needs to hold the book in his/her hands and to read and
study in a comfortable position rather than being stuck in some
ergonomic chair in front of the computer monitor.
This computer that we sit in front of is certainly changing the world,
though, isn't it? Instant communication is great for last minute air
travel and is something current to add to one's resume. It also allows
information to be instantly dispatched. But I have one major question:
how does that student in Nome, Alaska know whether the information being
conveyed on the web is authentic or not? Perhaps this question is what
alarms me most about the web. Knowing what is true and what isn't is
difficult enough when one is at a particular academic institution --
imagine what happens on the web when folks use a variety of pseudonymns
and generic addresses!
Anyhow, good luck. Some of what you present is of interest, but I need
to know which academic line you are following.
Cheers,
Gerry
--
Gerald Reinhart
Independent Scholar
(650) 321-7378
waluk@...
http://www.alekseevmanuscript.com