Basic Beginnermind
editMy username is a reference to the concept of beginner's mind. I find using this handle a good, constant reminder to let go of my preconceived notions.
A new Wikipedian as of March 12, 2006. Past wiki experience, a while back, at Sensei's Library, a Wiki concerning the game of Go, where my contributions tended to be helping with organization and arbitration more than anything. I enjoyed wiki more than Go, as it turns out. I hope to make some contributions on the level of simplification and/or clarification of language as I get to know what's expected on Wikipedia, perhaps as well as contributing in my specific areas of interest.
Areas of Interest, Credentials, Likely Areas Of Contribution
editTo let people know, I'm not an authority on much of anything. I do enjoy the English langauge, and often keep a copy of Strunk and White with me. I enjoy the practice of framing language to make it convey the meaning intended by the author to the audience, whether I was the original author or not. I often fall into the roll of an arbiter in group projects, so if you found your way here I might be trying to arbitrate between you and someone else to reach a consensus; I've certainly fallen into this role in wiki and other online projects before. I believe very much in consensus building, and resist the polarization (see also polarization (politics)) of issues.
As for specific areas of contribution, I enjoy the armchair study of many subjects, including history, philosophy, sociology, comparative religion and mythology. I have a deep personal interest in Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism.
Nice to meet you!