If it is a clubhouse, you can never guarantee that someone won't try to
argue with that loud oafish drunk who crashed the party--unless you *EJECT*
the loud boor. Somebody has to function in the capacity of bouncer, or you
takes what you gets.
If it is an outreach group, people are supposed to help the clueless.
I too want the s/n level to increase. But wishing it won't make it so. If
it is the intention of the kind folks who keep this list going that anyone
may join, no one will be expelled for violating the ground rules, etc.,
then you get whatever/whoever shows up.
I admit to following up posts I probably shouldn't--but my purpose is to
hone skills and vent, not necessarily in that order. :)
I see no general solution. Some places have a PLEDGE (BIX, at least in some
conferences)--it's a pre-emptive *PLONK* for talked-to-death topics--but it
still failed of automatic function--people were always reminding each other
about the PLEDGE. Might be worth a try.
I don't see any movement toward a tokens system, or tougher standards. I
don't see a solution that doesn't have potential negative consequences--a
Secret Masters of Extropy list would have to be secret, or it would run
some risk of being labeled exclusionary. Which it would be. But that's the
point--if "exclusionary" is a swear word, we're doomed.
I think we4 need a real answer from every participant and lurker on this list:
Clubhouse? Press 1 on your touchtone phone now...
EI members only? Subscription? What?
MMB
At 10:24 PM 10/8/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I am so gd sick of the libertarian argument, pro and con. It's the same
>thing, and the same thing, and the same thing, over and over again.
>Do we ever really accomplish anything by it? Couldn't there be another
>forum where it can be argued? It sucks up so much time and energy.
>Here on this list, we are supposed to be able to avoid these discussions
>of the basics. Yet this one issue, of whether coercion is necessary or
>proper, comes up again and again. I just delete the messages, and I don't
>want to force my view on others, but can't we rededicate ourselves to the
>principle of avoiding debate on this topic?
>
>Hal
>
>
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