Re: DISCUSSION/Doug's proposal

[Bill London <london@moscow.com>]

In response to continuing redundant squabbles on this list, a number of
suggestions have surfaced...including Ted Moffett's idea that I should become
the list moderator.
    Thanks, but no thanks.
    I do not want to see V2020 become a moderated list.
    Since its inception, a decade ago, V2020 was seen as no more than a public
forum, the proverbial "soap box in Hyde Park," where everyone from Moscow could
share in a free and open exchange of ideas.  Pretty radical and crazy idea, huh?

    No censorship, no control, no management.
    A few years ago, I attended a conference on new media.   I was an invited
panelist, discussing V2020.  No other community email list came close to the
size, community-wide representation, and free-wheeling spirit of V2020.
Everyone else was totally envious.  We have created a remarkable example of a
public forum that works.
    Yes, this recent deluge of bickering has threatened the list and its
openness.
    I still believe in the idea, however, and will not participate in activities
that I feel weaken it.  Thus, I do not support the creation of alternate or
second lists.  I welcome the voices of the Dougs and others who are part of the
fabric of this community.  And I do not support changing V2020 to a moderated
list.
    I say, let this experiment in new communication and electronic
community-building continue.
    BL

Ted Moffett wrote:

> Everyone:
>
> Douglas's suggestion of using the subject heading to announce whether the
> post is DISCUSSION oriented or EVENTS oriented is a great idea, but will
> sometimes be ignored it would seem, given the chaos we already have had with
> alterations of subject headings creating a situation where often there is
> little clue as to content of a post via reading the subject heading.
> Anyways, many events postings already indicate the sort of content they
> contain, so we to some extent already have had subject heading information
> that clues the reader that the "events" posts are just that.  The petty
> squabbles I am afraid will continue unless more extreme measures are taken,
> or people just get tired of it.
>
> I appoint Bill London to moderate the list, especially considering his
> outspoken annoyance at the petty squabbles on vision2020.
>
> Just joking Bill, but really, if you could do this, would you volunteer?
>
> And why would a separate events list be a bad idea for those who just want
> this service from a list?
>
> Ted
>
> >From: Bill London <london@moscow.com>
> >Reply-To: london@moscow.com
> >To: Douglas <dougwils@moscow.com>, Vision2020 <vision2020@moscow.com>
> >Subject: DISCUSSION/Doug's proposal
> >Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 15:36:04 -0700
> >
> >D et al....
> >I really think it is important for this community and for a continuing
> >dialog to not create a second list.  Besides, I think a second list of
> >just announcements without discussion would be boring.
> >However, I also would like to find a way to make it easier to avoid the
> >continuing squabbles that have appeared on V2020.
> >Maybe this will work.
> >BL
> >
> >Douglas wrote:
> >
> > >  Dear visionaries,
> > >
> > > With regard to Kenton's proposal, allow me make a public
> > > counterproposal. Instead of creating two lists, why do we not simply
> > > agree together to utilize the subject line of our posts by category.
> > > E.g.
> > >
> > > Subject: DISCUSSION/topless ordinance, ad nauseam
> > >
> > > or
> > >
> > > Subject: EVENTS/peace vigil water balloon fight in Friendship Square
> > >
> > > This would enable folks who are tired of the rumble bumble of public
> > > debate to simply delete by category, and they need not be hassled any
> > > longer.
> > >
> > > They would read
> > >
> > > Subject: DISCUSSION/Islam and Franklin Graham
> > >
> > > and hit the delete key. But they could gladly open the next one
> > > announcing
> > >
> > > Subject: EVENTS/UI lecture on the importance of diversity in public
> > > discussions
> > >
> > >
> > > Despite the tongue in cheek, the idea is a serious one.
> > >
> > > Cordially,
> > >
> > > Douglas Wilson
> > >
> > >
>
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