[Sigia-l] History of "Information Architecture"

[Derek R]

Andrew wrote:

..|  Along with the assertion that IA started
..|  with the Polar Bear book.

..|  Quite frankly, I am amazed the editors of
..|  this new book let you get away with it


Unfortunately, in the book-selling industry (which the person/people in
question are in) there is a proven method of mutual recommendation in
order to make money. Pick up any number of books within the IA industry
and you will find the *exact* same people recommending each other and
citing each other, over and over. These circular and clique-like
associations are formed for only one purpose: to monopolize a resource
and to exclude non-members (duh!). A number of individuals left SIGIA a
little while ago for this very reason and return every now and then to
spam this list with their promotions, attempt to recruit more naive
individuals into their service, or, to insult the list and/or its
members.

It is not so much a slur as common fact to note there will be
'industrialists' within every opportunity who attempt to marginalize
others for their own selfish gain. What is most unfortunate, however, is
the list of people who have lined themselves up to be marginalized.

But none of this should bother this list much as long as we are aware
who is speaking and what their motivations are (ie. book and seminar
sellers).

Personally, I have a hard time finding respect for people who refuse to
acknowledge or engage in an orderly discussion with others who hold
differing views, who have no care for an IA discipline which they
themselves are not the principal head of, and who only make choices
which boost their own person gain.

Cheers!

Derek Rogerson
http://derekrogerson.com/