Thank you for translating, Leigh. Not that I do not understand
Alex...but then I have met him in different contexts and maybe
understand him a bit better than many on this list.  Facilitating
online communities must bear this perspective in mind...not only may
people not understand well the language (the words, the culture,
deeper meaning and intention behind it) because it is not their own
but also do not have the same "power" to respond for lack of a
particular jargon.

Also, when you say, Alex, "we need to really rise up to the challenge
and get past these niceties in these threads", let me point you to
Bronislaw Malinowski (1923 - yes, the one I referred to when
discussing edupunk) - he talks about "phatic communion"
"Small talk" is more technically known as "phatic communion" - means
by which "ties of union are created by the mere exchange of words",
the initial linguistic attempt to relate to another individual. In
FOC08,  this was done in the introduction page, where Leigh  responded
to almost each post. However, little interaction happened among
participants there. People mostly ran in parallel, introducing
themselves, almost never responding or just showing the bonds with
those they know already.  I know personally many of the people here
and have also worked with many online - so this is not an
uncomfortable situation for me. However I did feel very pleased when
Sylvia responded to my post and Violeta welcomed me.  I noticed that
Marcel Bruyn, (nice to meet you)  has sensed the silence from the new
people on the block and latecomers and has tried to bring them into
the conversation.

Trust frames communication (or the lack of it) so it is important
online facilitators become aware of how it is created (or destroyed).
Asking for information or help on how to use the tools or manage the
course is also a kind of phatic communion as it does not involve a
deeper conversation.  Now, more than the content (what) , I'd say that
 it is important for the facilitator to pay attention to the process
(how)  and the why (which is Alex's dimension). However, most people
are not confident enough, do not have a stand or  the language to
discuss the whys.

My two cents today :-)
Warm regards from Brazil,
Bee

--
Barbara Dieu
http://dekita.org
http://beespace.net