[at-l] Survival of the fittest

[ryan at hack.net (Ryan K. Brooks)]

>Umbrellas, guns, hiking sticks, lightweight gear,
>alternative lists and their leaders, national
>politics, international politics, crime on the trail,
>environmental science/politics, interior decorating,
>water treatment, UV irradiation, burning of wet
>hydrophobic fabrics and other issues have come and
>gone across this list like tornados. Name calling,
>direct and via inuendo, are common on this list in
>these storms. 
>  
>
Wow.. there are a lot of em, aren't there?  I've never seen them all in 
the same place before.

>But that help will not occur while we are distracted
>by List Defenders, Mind Changers, True Believers and
>others too polarized to notice the unintended
>consequences of their actions. I encourage listers to
>decide if this list is worth your time and passion. I
>encourage Ryan to re-evaluate the value of his time,
>work and equipment to provide this forum. 
>

Stream of thoughts below:

I am constantly re-evaluting the benefit/cost of the list.   Personally, 
it's an expensive and time consuming endeavor and I'm now in the 
absolute most trying time in my own life.

The conflict I have is that I don't feel like the lists belongs to me,  
I feel more like I have 1000 friends that all benefit from the time and 
money I spend on keeping the list up. 

Even so, when I see a large number of the people on the list who are 
obviously disenchanted with the garbage, personal attacks, etc. that run 
contrary to my "1000 friends" thoughts- I have to ask myself if I'm 
doing more personal harm than good.     (And I'm not going to touch the 
concept that this list somehow damages the environment of the trail-  if 
you want to talk about that, you'll have to fight with me in private email).

But, for some reason- many people still participate.  

I tried to join the WF list, but he didn't let me- so I have no idea if 
he's found a better form of Internet discourse.  I know Yahoo! Groups 
are peppered with annoying advertising.  I know no hosting service would 
allow the amount and quality of pictures and content that I do.   And, 
oh yeah, I happen to think that the (big-T) Trail is one of things that 
makes America great.

Since we've found that there's no magic bullet or reachable consesus on 
the level (or not) of moderation, I honestly don't have a clue as to 
what is the best path for the list. 

I also feel like I should turn it around on the list membership.  
Everyone wants me to solve the problem, but what could you all do to help?

So, I'll sleep on OB's very valid and well expressed comments and see if 
I can come up with a new solution.   And as usual, I'm happy to accept 
comments in email.   If ultimately we need to moderate, then we need to 
figure out a way to do it.   Maybe a few listers could get together, 
write a set of (non-biased, non-"partisan") rules and we go from 
there.   I will say right up front that I'm not willing to moderate to a 
particular agenda.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Ryan