Keith Elis wrote:
>
> Though not a contributor, I personally have been getting a great deal
> out of the polymath list archives at
> http://mars2.caltech.edu/polymath/date.html
>
> If not *big* names, there are certainly some intellectual heavyweights
> running about there. Not to mention that a considerable number of
> list-members are, or appear to be, transhumanists.
>
> The list is invite-only, and the quality of discussion (in my outsider's
> view) ranges from usually superb to sometimes inbred, but it's one of
> the best lists I've come across as far as the 'important' issues are
> concerned.
>
> Don't forget that Damien Sullivan also runs his Filtered Extropians
> list. It's a great service, sometimes you miss some context, but if it's
> high s/n you want, these are acceptable losses.
>
> Point is, there are options (and as D. Broderick has suggested, a good
> filter to C:/CRAP is always one of them <g>)
>
> Boat drinks,
>
> Keith
>
> Yak Wax wrote:
> >
> > Damien Broderick wrote:
> >
> > > I'm quite dismayed by the number of
> > > `contributors' to this list that I now
> > > automatically filter straight into the
> > > trash. It wasn't this way a couple of
> > > years ago when I subscribed. Moan,
> > > moan.
> >
> > I agree. Frankly I find you all terribly boring and hold many of you
> > in utter contempt. But now and again among the S/N ratio moans, posts
> > about grammatical errors and authors promoting new books, there's a
> > brightly shinning gem. And it's those ideas I'd like to see
> > encouraged. Luckily most of the good ideas come from a few main
> > sources (some of which aren't me!)
> >
> > So is anyone interesting in setting up an invitation-only list?
> > Choosing new list members would be the job of those already chosen by
> > whomever wants to organise it. Maybe a web site could be set up for
> > viewing (after the list member's controversial ramblings have been
> > edited for public consumption) or an edited digest version sent out to
> > the less fortunate non-members. We could also invite some "big names"
> > in science, technology, art and (even) politics.
> >
> > I would get an invitation for having the idea, of course.
> >
> > --Wax