a letter a little late

Hi folks,

below a letter i sent to a list i didn't know had died.

Be well, George Zelenz

Everybody!

I can see it possibly happening again. That is, a list that gets a tad
out of
control, with monologue artists not at all interested in conversation,
well
meaning good intentioned advice for how to run a list, differing
priorities,
etc.

I've seen a tendency for Micro-folks to take some crap for a little
while,
then either leave a list (as i've done twice), or create a new list
with
either a different stated goal, or a restricted membership.

How many more lists will there need to be, until attrition and boredom
will
drive off all the "flamers"?

We should act as a democracy, before making demands of the moderator.
If a
person posts something absurd, or inflammatory, ignore them. Utter
silence.
Should they persist, their presence being that of "junk mail", one
could ask (
make a motion ) that they either stop posting drivel, or please leave
the
list. List members then would either yea, or nea, this motion. If the
decided
upon action failed to achieve it's intended goal, then a silent,
capricious,
heavy-handed moderator could banish that person from the list. But it
should
never come to this. We should be able to govern ourselves, not needing
to
watch our backs because there would be no need for a moderators
disciplinary
action.

My hope here, is to make this list work. Jacky may not have done
everything
perfect, ( the censoring act was well intended, but fairly pointless
)but she
has tried, and she is learning. Jacky probably never thought she would
need to
work this hard, let alone make such a comprehensive, boiler-plate laden
statement just to gather a few people together in an atmosphere of
congeniality, and sharing. My hope is that as a group, we can recognize
that
this forum is far from perfect, but before a defection, maybe we could
grow,
however painfully, into a list without equal ( if you have swelling,
optimistic string music, play it now) . Patience and caring are all we
need.

Let's work together, and get back to the business of composition.

Now, i'd like to share a few thoughts about this list.

Let's face it, were ALL total Nut-cases. Brilliant minds, highly
creative,
energetic, and sometimes lacking in tact. When someone attacks, or
tries to
drive home an agenda, DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY!!!!!
Even if they mention your name directly. It's they who have a problem,
not
you. If anyone of you said something to me that was not germane to
anything, i
would ignore you, or kindly ask what was bothering you. If someone
asked me
how could i be so dumb as to utilize math in whatever way i saw fit, i
would
recognize that an insecurity existed, causing this persons behaviour.
Anyone
trying to tell me how i should write my own music, or what tools to
use/ not
use, is someone i would ignore. That person would not deserve an
explanation,
nor would i be inclined to defend my position. They don't like my work,
my
tools, my methods? Fine. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. If they
find my
thoughts, and the thoughts of others, as being stupid, they are free to
leave
this list. To my knowledge, no one is being forced to have a presence
here.

Thank you for your time, and to Rick McGowan, thanks for asking about
Elaine
Walker, your question led me to also purchasing both ZIA albums, and i
thank
you for exposing me to them.

A toast, to the bidness!

George Zelenz