Posting to the list

[Huaxyacac at aol.com]

Joe, Fritz, et al.,

I recognize that this isn't really an appropriate thread for the list, so
I'll happily let it die, but I do object a bit to the dichotomy between
"marketplace" and "scholarly discussion." As the author of a website that
attempts to provide the latter while also generating some income, I don't
really think that we should draw a hard and fast line between the two. Do
they need to be mutually exclusive?

In this case, the relevance of the Archeologia.com missive to the subject
matter of this list is questionable, but you can certainly make a good-faith
argument in its favor. If we apply a strict commercial activity ban, does
that mean that someone selling a Nahuatl workbook should not be allowed to
advertise it here? I would hope not. Instead, I would argue that posts should
be judged on their relevance to the subject of Nahuatl language and culture.
Would it have been more acceptable if Archeologia.com had sent a more
targeted letter, pointing out that their current catalog lists more than 500
books on the ancient Americas, including a couple on Nahuatl? What about if
one individual wanted to sell their own library of of works on Nahuatl?

I'm not suggesting that rampant commercialization of this list is something
to be desired or even tolerated. But I personally would rather err on the
generous side.

Alec Christensen
About Anthropology Guide
http://anthropology.about.com