3 lists, that would just be unmanageable.Better is a rule of thumb, politics should be allowed as long as it is strictly on topic politics that isn't causing a problem, otherwise as with any other off topic subject it ought to go to B.
Not to mention the cost of running an extra list to Bill. Anyway if a political portion of an on topic post causes the entire post needing to be posted to a different list that's a mess too. On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 2:39 AM, OrionWorks <[email protected]>wrote: > Recent debates about the need to stay more focused on on-topic > scientific related discussions within vortex-l prime [Vo] have raised > the hackles of certain participants, and might I mention here that > some of those individuals who have expressed their concerns are > considered respected long-term heavy weights. > > I would like to propose that, if it is within Mr. Beaty's power (and > desire) to do so, he might create another alternative vortex list, a > new and improved OFF TOPIC Vortex-LoT list group, one where the > subject line is prefixed with: [VoT]. > > I would like to suggest several useful reasons why it might be useful to do > so: > > (A) It would take the tension off maintaining the purity of discussing > scientific-only subject material within [Vo] prime. If certain > long-term discussions (as many naturally tend to do) begin evolving > and splitting off into matters concerning politics and/or religion or > perhaps something else entirely [Vo] participants can quickly state, > Hey, we're beginning to get off-topic here, it's time to move this > particularly thread over to [VoT] where those who are still interested > can resume lively discussions. > > (B) I am suggesting the creation of a new and improved off-topic > Vortex list where ETIQUETTE RULES ARE APPLIED in the same manner they > are followed within Vortex-l prime. IMO, Vortex-b [VoB] is NOT a fair > and/or healthy environment for the discussion of off-topic subject > material that may have originated within Vortex-l prime. There ARE no > rules for maintaining any semblance of etiquette within VoB. It's my > understanding that that is precisely why VoB was created in the first > place, so that anyone who felt the need to engage in verbal fist > fights could do so without any fear of reprisals from Mr. Beaty, the > god of Vortex-l. Unfortunately, and IMHO, the fallout of such stop-gap > measures is that [VoB] is NOT a healthy environment for the discussion > of lively and/or spirited OT subjects. [VoB] has instead transformed > into a perfect breading ground for the attraction of all sorts of > despicable troll personas who will implant themselves and begin > advertising their services. [VoB] has transformed into a cesspool > filled with vitriol. Not surprisingly many who would have wanted to > continue discussing serious and creative OT subjects that might have > originated as "scientific" discussion in [Vo] are loath to discuss > matters within [VoB]. They have unsubscribed from [VoB], and so have > I. > > (C) Another point is that for many vortex-l individuals there almost > seems to be a negative stigma attached to the discussion of OT subject > material. It's as if OT discussions are almost considered second-class > material, that they are beneath vortex-l, that such discussions are > second-tier and don't deserve the same rights of etiquette or > protection that those who wish to engage in pure scientific > discussion. This is a form of prejudice and not a very fair one IMHO. > Granted this may NOT actually be what most feel about the discussion > of OT subjects, but I think it's a legitimate perception and a > concern. > > (D) The point of creating [VoT] would be to create a good, strong and > healthy environment for the discussion of OT subjects that may have > originated within [Vo] but are now no longer precisely defined in > scientific terms. Such OT discussions should IMHO still be able to > enjoy the same rights and protections that vortex-l prime participants > enjoy. > > Therefore, I would like to propose that if it is at all feasible for > Mr. Beaty to create an alternative Off Topic List groups, the > Vortex-LoT group [VoT] where Off-Topic discussions can be discussed > but with the same degree of net etiquette, civility, and protections > granted to those within vortex-l prime. Granted, and this should be > obvious to many, [VoT] discussions are likely to occasionally get a > tad more lively, and possibly even contentious at times. Nevertheless, > AND THIS IS THE CRUCIAL POINT: Anyone who begins to misbehave > incessantly or in a chronic way can be given a time-out or, if there > is no other recourse, permanently barred in order to maintain the > health and safe civility of [VoT]. > > Mr. Beaty, is this possible to do something like this? Would it be too > difficult to do? > > Does anyone else have any thoughts, pro or con, on this matter? > > Regards > Steven Vincent Johnson > www.OrionWorks.com > www.zazzle.com/orionworks > >
