Re: Censorship on library listservs

[Dan Robinson <dlrbnsn2@eclipse.net>]

Some thoughts....

There is a  problem to endless discussions about controversies, they
are list killers. A few people decide to go around and around on an
issue and never get anywhere. The same points are hammered in over
and over.  Eventually, people get tired and leave... in droves.  I'd
prefer that this not happen in LM_NET.

One way to avoid this is to close down threads when they get
pointless and when all viewpoints have been aired.  If they are
important, someone new will post something in time, usually with a
different viewpoint, and the discussion can begin again for a time.
And get closed down again.  It's a cycle... not 'censorship'.

Gordon seems to feel that airing his views on Dr. Laura is  very
important. Fine. I have proposed an alternate solution to
him privately.  It will let those who want to participate in that
discussion and others do it, and it will also let them participate in
lists without the feeling that someone is looking over shoulders.

Liz K. mentioned that there are lists where the Dr. Laura discussion
continued (and is possibly still a viable topic).  Liz, it would be a
service to us all to post the names of the lists and the addresses.
There is not just one forum on the Internet for discussions. If a
topic is welcomed elsewhere, we should all know about it.

Finally, back to Gordon. He is upset that so many people have written
to him telling him that they don't want his postings on Dr Laura or
that they don't agree with his 'censorship' accusation. He is upset.
I'm sorry Gordon, but you took a chance with your post.  You gambled
that many people here would share your opinion. However, it turns out
that many people don't.  Would you have them 'censor' their response
to you? Should only good reviews be posted?  You've advised people to
delete what they don't want to read, but you obviously didn't delete
before reading.

We are librarians or have been trained that way. One characteristic
of librarians is that we read.  To delete without reading seems
sacreligious.

Dan Robinson
(speaking for himself)
Indexing Services
H.W. Wilson Company
Bronx, NY
drobinson@hwwilson.com
dlrbnsn2@eclipse.net

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
 To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
   listserv@listserv.syr.edu          In the message write EITHER:
    1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=