[Winona Online Democracy]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Severson > If this is a forum limitations are not democratic. In a free market > everyone gets a chance to say what they want and write as long a > dissertation as they want. Even without limits those who write long > dissertations are seldom listened to by the masses. Therefore limit > themselves. The same would be true of those who write often > if they have > something to say people will read it if not it will be ignored. > > > THIS NEEDS TO BE A FREE FORUM WHY SHOULD WE CONTROL THIS > DIALOG AND LIMIT > ITS EFFECTIVENESS. The two post a day per person rule is similar to a rule in most legislatures where a member may not speak a second time on an issue until all other members who have not previously spoke get there turn if they wish to speak. It could also be viewed as a talking stick - something you use in a small group to make it more likely that more people have a chance to say something. While our forums do vary considerably in terms of the percentage of posters who post at least once a month, my _sense_ is that a typical active discussion forum is about 10 percent total and Issues Forums get up to 20 percent (sometimes higher). This would be an interesting research question - how do our forums compare to the norm toward an ideal versus measurement only to some ideal. Issues Forums are more democratic and equitable in intent than "free" for use by individuals for purposes outside their charters. If a few folks posted in an unlimited fashion volume wise, I'd guess 2/3 of the e-mail subscribed audience would be gone in a heartbeat and the "commons" would die. Steven Clift E-Democracy.Org > > Tom Severson > > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
