To: WSFAlist at WSFA.org
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 00:03:33 -0500
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Watchmen
From: ronkean at juno.com
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

On Mon, 08 Nov 2004 09:19:44 -0500 "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
writes:

> There was a suggestion & discussion of turning the list into a
> moderated list.
>
> As usual, the classics address this issue: "Sed quis custodiet
> ipsos
> custodes? "  which roughly translates as : "Who will watch the
> watchmen?"

Perhaps a greater problem with having a moderated list is finding someone
willing to be the moderator.  It's a thankless job.  One sort of
moderation, where each message is passed to the moderator for approval
before being passed on the list, is a lot of work for the moderator, as
well as requiring the moderator to pay close attention to the job at all
times, if long delays are to be avoided.  Another sort of moderation,
where messages go automatically to the list, and where the moderator
stands ready to suspend the posting priviledge of a member after the
posting of an uncivil message by the member, is less work, but it fails
to block some uncivil postings.  A nasty exchange might fully unfold
before the moderator can react.

Each of the two methods of moderation risks resulting in bad feeling,
because blocking posts tends to anger those who are blocked.  The
moderator becomes a lightning rod for complaints.  Would anyone volunteer
for that?

Ron Kean

.

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