Thank you. ----- Original Message ----- From: Kent Lufkin Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 9:36 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Lurkers discussion summary With over 50 responses and counting, my lurker post of last Thursday
generated a landslide vote of support for the status quo. Not to
mention prompting first-time posts by newly 'delurked' subscribers,
some of whom weighed in with reports.
In past lurker debates, restriction advocates pointed to a relatively
small proportion of regular posters to the list, expressing the fear
that too small a 'core' group of posters would cause the list to
implode.
But today, the number of core posters is actually larger than the
entire list was just 3 or 4 years ago. Clearly the list is in no
imminent danger of folding due to disinterested subscribers. Growth
in the number of subscribers also parallels the growth in popularity
of flyfishing among the general public as a growing, increasingly
urbanized population seeks to connect with the outdoors.
On the other hand, several messages protested that there is no real
information of value posted to the list, hence there is no need to
restrict it.
If that is the case however, why then do any of us subscribe? In
short, because the list operates on many levels.
It allows for quick and easy communication in a virtual community
with a shared interest; it provides a sort of cathartic release for
those wishing to share their experiences with others; it facilitates
answers to an individual's questions from a large base of collective
experience; it provides a vicarious fishing experience to those of us
unable to find the time to do so ourselves.
The list does indeed provide value. Perhaps not the
fish-here-use-that-fly kind of value, but value of a better kind, the
type that shares experience to build confidence and enjoyment for all.
Wes was right: our periodic re-examination of the lurker question
generates a flood of passionate responses and the end result is the
same - 'It ain't broke, so don't go trying to fix it.'
So we won't.
Thanks to all who shared their opinions. Your posts made for a lively
debate that was remarkably polite and courteous. But above all, your
collective input provided a clear answer to my question.
Kent Lufkin
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