My opinion is that Vision2020 should be a "closed" list.
This means that one must join the list to be able to post messages to it.
This does not totally cut off individuals who truly wish to send us their
messages which do not comply with the theme of the list, it just makes it
harder for them to do it. It means they first have to search out how to
subscribe, then do it, and by subscribing, be willing to accept list mail
into their mailbox. Automatic spamming will not do this. It would take an
exceptionally dedicated individual to do this for the purpose of mass
advertising.
A "closed" list does not stop free speech. Any one, "politician" or
otherwise, can find out how to join, join the list, and in turn receive all
list postings, and thereby be subject to the feedback of list readers. This
is what each of us has done.
Isn't this what lists are for .... to direct discussion along some theme and
not be totally wide open to anything? E.g. the members of my email list,
The Clydesdale Virtual Racing Team, do not belong to Vision2020 because
Vision2020 is not the place to look for advice and support for
gravity-challenged runners!
Again, anyone is free to join Vision2020 and comply with its theme, and also
with what seems to be an understood "rule": NO FLAMING!
Perhaps I'm over-reacting, but I really despise telemarketers who invade the
privacy of my home. I really don't want to be confronted with the
cyberspace equivalent of uninvited "commercial" postings to Vision2020!
Can't Vision2020 be at least one safe haven from unwanted "commercials"?
Why do we have to wait until the commercial level becomes intolerable? Why
not "nip it in the bud", now?
Yes, I can delete them, but first I have to look at them long enough to
determine I need to delete them. By then, my infuriation index has already
climbed a notch or two.
Dear readers who have lingered this far .... that's my $0.02. Thank you for
the soap box.
MoscowSam
scripter@uidaho.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Coombs <dcoombs@uidaho.edu>
To: Lou Sternberg <loustern@primenet.com>
Cc: vision2020@moscow.com <vision2020@moscow.com>
Date: Monday, January 26, 1998 7:44 AM
Subject: Re: Spam and other unwanted posts
>If the majority of those participating in vision2020 want to be sent
>unlimited commercial appeals, thats how it should be. But restricting spam
>is hardly censorship. If you were called 20 times every night during
>dinner by people trying to sell storm windows, you'd do something about
>the situation, and I don't think your solution -- maybe putting on an
>answering machine so you could check through them after dessert -- would
>deserve the negative term censorship.
>
>The good thing about the vision2020 situation is that the purpose and
>goals of the group in no way depend on getting commercial appeals,
>especially from unprincipled people in faraway places.
>
> Don Coombs
>
>