[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Moderation of the list



Title: ARCHIVES Digest - 26 Sep 2001 to 27 Sep 2001 (#2001-271)
Folks, a few of you posted a suggestion that this list be moderated.
 
The suggestion has come up a number of times over the years.  This list was founded by the Harlans with the spirit of community participation without any censorship, and they specifically intended this list to be unmoderated to prevent any such editorial control over content. 
 
When SAA took over the maintenance of the list, many list members were concerned that SAA would moderate the list.  SAA has attempted to respect the character of A&A as founded by the Harlans, and that includes the lack of editorial control.
 
Enough theory; there's a very practical reason why this list is not moderated. 
Having managed a number of list in the past, I can tell you that moderating a list is an enormous amount of work. 
 
It's very nice of you to volunteer Peter Kurilecz' time for him.  I'm sure he (and his employer) won't mind spending a couple of hours a day reading the list, and then taking flack for what he did or did not post.  When he goes on vacation or gets tired of moderating the list, I'll look to you to step up to the plate and take on that work. 
 
Ultimately, email lists -- as opposed to edited journals and newsletters -- are anarchistic by nature.  One chooses to accept the chaos and noise in exchange for any benefit of the valuable communication and community.  However, one can signficantly increase the signal to noise ratio by ensuring that one's own postings are relevant and moderating one's own response to inflammatory messages. 
 
-- Richard Pearce-Moses
   Director of Digital Government Information, Arizona State Library and Archives
   Member of the SAA Council Listserv Committee