List Filtration (a.k.a.: Signal to Noise Ratio)

Robin Hanson (hanson@hss.caltech.edu)
Thu, 26 Dec 1996 15:16:30 -0800 (PST)


"E. Shaun Russell" writes:
> The thought of a two-tier system has become slightly tempting to me
>as of late. The method of incorporation is the mystery. I believe it was
>Robin Hanson (forgive me if I am wrong, Robin) who developed the idea of
>having one list wholly open and the second list invitational. Those on the
>second list would also be on the first, deciding upon well-versed posters to
>invite to the second list. This method, of course, has a few bugs right off
>the bat. The amount of mail for those on the second list would be over and
>above those on the first. Perhaps the viewing of the first list could be
>optional? Another forseeable problem is of how the selection would take
>place. Perhaps a cross-section of 2nd list extropians could be used as a
>representational body to whom other 2nd listers make requests as to
>open-listers' potentials.

I think I proposed that open list members submit a set of 5 of their
posts to the open list, this submission going to a jury of 3 randomly
selected closed list members. This minimizes the reading load of
closed list members.

I share Damien's concern about fragmenting closed lists into too many
topics. I'm most concerned about the quality distinction.

Robin D. Hanson hanson@hss.caltech.edu http://hss.caltech.edu/~hanson/