Just memorializing some discussion happening on #freeculture, these are some basic informal rules that people have been proposing as sets of standards that people could point to when flaming/trolling happens on the list.
In order to avoid limited-value painstaking definitions on these rules, the strategy seems to be to keep the rules simple, intentionally broad, and light-weight. The general idea is that people can invoke them in case of flaming/trolling and so the discussion turns to what norms we want on the list, as opposed to degenerating into random backbiting. I figure some general idea will emerge pretty quickly about what people want/don't want. No consensus/endorsement on any one of them (or even if we need to have consensus on them), but figure i'll reproduce them here: Brian Rowe 1) No spam 2) Stay on topic 3) Topic should at least appear to be FC related is all we need. 4) If you want a new topic make a new topic and then those who do not want to read it can filter for it. Rob Myers 1. Start on topic. 2. Stay on topic. 3. If you want to change the topic, switch to a new topic. 4. Personal stuff is not on topic. 5. Political, religious and idee fixee ideology is not on topic. Tim Hwang 1) No spam 2) Stay on topic 3) Topic should appear at least FC related 4) No trolling 5) No flaming 6) Don't be an asshat. On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 1:02 PM, Jay Sulzberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > On Wed, 30 Jul 2008, Brian Rowe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> During the chapter meeting this Sunday it was mentioned that we should not >> take some issues to the general discussion list because it is "too >> polarizing." The Free Culture mailing list has has transformed over the >> past 2 years from a place where FC ideas could be discussed freely to a >> forum where people do not speak up for fear of flaming. This is a call to >> return the list to a place where topics can be discussed without flames. >> >> I am asking three things: >> 1. Threads stay on topic - no more turning a video awards posts into NC >> freedom posts or FF3 posts into whining about the bylaws. >> 2. General whining needs to stop >> 3. Flaming needs to stop >> >> Transparent moderation may be needed to accomplish this. >> >> This means that people who are here to argue and complain constantly should >> find another place to do that. I am not just speaking in generalities; >> Crosbie has done the most whining, flaming and off topic ranting over the >> last year. I think he should seriously reconsider his goals and move on. >> FC should consider banning him from the list if his presence continues to >> discourage friendly academic and activist discussion. >> >> I am not a board member, a founder or a core team member. I am general >> member, a chapter founder, and a FC activist. I want to be part of a >> grassroots community where we can work together to win the free culture >> fight. The first step is reclaiming the FC list. >> >> >> Sincerely, >> >> Brian Rowe > > There are discussion lists and action lists. A discussion list > is not an action list. FC should keep this discussion list, and > for each action start a separate action list. Actions, in most > cases, are directed by a small team of organizers. The team > manages the action list. > > Moderation cannot transform a discussion list into an action > list. FC needs at least one general discussion list and, for > each action, a separate well managed action list. > > Actions can, will, and should be, discussed on discussion lists. > But discussion is not decision, and conversation on a discussion > list cannot be all of the deliberation and organizing an > effective action requires. > > oo--JS. > > >> Students for Free Culture >> 3L Seattle University Law >> -- >> Brian Rowe >> Legal Intern >> Creative Commons >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> (206) 335-8577 (Cell) >> >> Access To Justice Technology Principles >> www.ATJWeb.org >> >> Freedom for IP >> www.FreedomforIP.org >> > _______________________________________________ > Discuss mailing list > [email protected] > http://freeculture.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/discuss > _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list [email protected] http://freeculture.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/discuss
