I am interested in discussing the language guideline(s) for Brin-L. I
don't like the way they are written currently, which seems like they
could be used for censorship. ("You used a naughty word! Now you are
banished from the list!"). I think it is a bad idea to single out
certain combinations of letters as "bad" and worthy of admonishment
in and of themselves. The rules should be more of a "spirit" than a
"letter" sort of thing.
At a minimum, we should clarify that people will not be banned from the
list for occasionally typing a word like "fuck". I don't like rules
(or guidelines) that are too specific. Too specific laws and rules are
one of the reasons why we have such a mess of lawyers these days. Of
course, this situation isn't directly relevant to law and lawyers, but
the general principle of not making rules too specific still holds.
Most importantly, there is the issue of free speech. I think we
should avoid even the hint of censorship on this list, even if it is
an indirect censorship. Everyone here should feel free to express
themselves in whatever manner they wish. I think that is the best thing
about a forum such as Brin-L. If someone is horribly uncivil, then we
can try to gently persuade them to be more civil. Or we can ignore
them. Or if the offenses are dire enough, and there is a consensus, then
banishment could be considered as a last resort. But let's not have any
a priori censorship on Brin-L.
Ideally, I would like to remove specific mention of profanity or
`bad words' in the guidelines, and replace it with a suggestion
(admonishment?) that people should strive to write to each other
in a civil manner. But not a threat ("if you aren't civil, you're
gone"). More of a reminder of "I am a member of a civilization".
***
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right
to say it.
--C.S. Tallentyre
***
--
"Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.com/
