Staying on topic -- gently

Hello, everyone, and as one of the people involved in founding this
group I might offer two quick comments about staying on topic.

(1) Yes, staying on topic should be gently encouraged now and then by
a friendly and diplomatic suggestion, "Might we please consider
taking this thread to metatuning or e-mail or whatever?"

(2) The idea should be to steer things back to our main course without
making anyone feel singled out or uncomfortable in what is usually
a gradual process of "drift" as a group dynamic. It should be
understood that a bit of friendly "drift" need do no harm, but now
and then should be redirected to other forums so that MMM can keep
its main focus on making microtonal music.

There's a balance between keeping (mostly) on topic and also keeping a
friendly tone where people feel relaxed and receptive to each other's
ideas. This means assuming some group responsibility both to speak up
if the drift does seem to distract from the intended topic, and to
speak up gently in a way that lets everyone continue on a friendly
basis with a recognition that nothing terrible has happened and
everyone is welcome and valued.

Peace and love,

Margo

Brava, Margo---very thoughtful, kind and sagacious words of wisdom.

Best,
Aaron.

On Sunday 23 July 2006 3:41 am, Margo Schulter wrote:
> Hello, everyone, and as one of the people involved in founding this
> group I might offer two quick comments about staying on topic.
>
> (1) Yes, staying on topic should be gently encouraged now and then by
> a friendly and diplomatic suggestion, "Might we please consider
> taking this thread to metatuning or e-mail or whatever?"
>
> (2) The idea should be to steer things back to our main course without
> making anyone feel singled out or uncomfortable in what is usually
> a gradual process of "drift" as a group dynamic. It should be
> understood that a bit of friendly "drift" need do no harm, but now
> and then should be redirected to other forums so that MMM can keep
> its main focus on making microtonal music.
>
> There's a balance between keeping (mostly) on topic and also keeping a
> friendly tone where people feel relaxed and receptive to each other's
> ideas. This means assuming some group responsibility both to speak up
> if the drift does seem to distract from the intended topic, and to
> speak up gently in a way that lets everyone continue on a friendly
> basis with a recognition that nothing terrible has happened and
> everyone is welcome and valued.
>
> Peace and love,
>
> Margo
>
>
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