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Dear Jennifer,

Thank you , thank you, thank you for the definition of metadiscussion (this
is a new concept to me and I love it). Adopting the ban on metadiscussions as
described in your post would be very good for the list. You have my vote.

Sherry

n a message dated 8/13/02 8:42:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time, beanmom@...
writes:


> I'm a list newbie who's been lurking for a few weeks and I agree
> with the above, particularly #2. There is a concept called
> "metadiscussion", i.e. talking about how people are talking. I am on
> many lists where there is a strict ban on metadiscussion, because
> (as everyone here has seen) once people start criticizing the WAY
> someone posted or the SUBJECT someone posted about rather than
> discussing issues and topics, things generally devolve into acrimony
> and name-calling. Here is a sample of the metadiscussion policy from
> one list:
>
> "Posting styles are not up for discussion on [this list]. Keep in mind it
> is not possible for any one person on the [x] list to post in a way which
> takes into account everyone's feelings. It is not OK to challenge or
> criticize someone else's posting style On List. If you feel offended by a
> post someone sent to the list and you feel a need to let that person know
> how offended you are, please do it Off List. If you are offended by the
> 'tone' of the list and you feel you must address this, please address it
> off list with those who you feel are setting the overall 'tone' you
> perceive. It is not your job to moderate the [x] list.
>
> Please do not discuss which [listname] Posts or Topics are Off Topic for
> the [x] List on the [x] List. If anyone wants to conduct an email
> discussion of which Posts or Topics are suitable for [this list], how often
>
> these Posts or Topics should come up, and the number of Posts that should
> be assigned to a Topic in any given period of time, please take it to
> private email. Please remember that not all Posts or Topics are going to
> interest everyone on the [x] List. If you don't like a Post or Topic or if
> you are not interested in a Post or Topic, or if you find the Post or Topic
>
> distasteful, or if you believe the Post or Topic to be Off Topic, or if you
>
> believe the Post or Topic is too boring, simply make it disappear with the
> Delete Key. If you are sick and tired of reading Posts or topics which
> appear to dominate the list, feel free to introduce a new Post containing a
>
> New Topic. If the New Topic doesn't take off, feel free to keep introducing
>
> New Topics."
>
> I've been skimming and deleting Ned's posts, because I'm mostly less
> than interested in what he's been writing about. But I've also been
> using the delete key liberally on all the posts DISCUSSING Ned's
> posts, because they're virtually content-free, at least as relates to
> my reason for coming to this list.
>
> And here I am, metadiscussing. ;)
>
>
> -jennifer, mommy to alice the bean, 8/15/97,
> and sammy-girl, 6/4/02
> http://www.beanmom.com/
>



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