Re: Interested in a moderated theory forum?

"Marshall Spight" <mspight_at_dnai.com> wrote in message news:<zNHOb.82975$5V2.109454_at_attbi_s53>...
> "Paul G. Brown" <paul_geoffrey_brown_at_yahoo.com> wrote in message news:57da7b56.0401172227.1b7c03ea_at_posting.google.com...
> >
> > The problem with a moderated forum is that arseholes like Bob B.
> > would be banned very quickly. Now, Bobs's a complete prick, with zero
> > redeeming social value. But he's often astute in his judgements and
> > (when he bothers to be) insightful in his advice.
>
> Let me see if I can generalize from your comments:
>
> If a person provides insightful advice and astute judgements when
> they bother to, then we ought to put up with whatever else they do,
> even if they act like a complete prick with zero redeeming social value.
>
> Is that what you're trying to say? Because I really don't think
> it's a good idea.

  My experience with moderated groups is limited to political e-mail lists. The issues there are less well defined than on c.d.t, and feelings are hotter. Un-moderated, these lists usually have a couple of "enforcer" types who howl down challenges to their jargon-of-choice or their flavor of orthodoxy. This is meant to discourage newbies and usually succeeds but the open nature of the list means that the persistent types hang on for the ride and learn. (And Lord help you if the "enforcer" becomes a moderator! Then the list degenerates into an echo chamber.)

  Aside: My personal view is that you catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar, and that "enforcer" types are self defeating: they are so unpleasant that the uninitiated shun their ideas on the mistaken belief that no truth ever came from an ugly mind.

   So the argument is that moderated (read: moderator filtered) lists are a bad idea because they end up excluding either the "enforcer" (moderators are busy people too and eventually tire of the flame-wars), or the newbies (scared off after one or two poorly phrased posts). For all their problems, open lists are better at encouraging free-wheeling debate, discussion and education (yes, it is important - adopt a newbie today!).

   My guess is that a moderated version of c.d.t would degenerate into a Third Manifesto discussion group. Nothing wrong with that. But more is implied by the term "database theory".

   KR

          Pb Received on Mon Jan 19 2004 - 18:41:16 CET