Hi all
Of the group guidelines number 5 is the most difficult for people to
understand and because of that it is easy for people to innocently break.
However even when it is broken innocently it still ultimately causes
problems.
Guideline 5:
Do not try to use forum to organise or promote events or activities.
Although it is reasonable to refer to them in the course of conversation.
This rule supports ConstellationTalk as a conversational forum. It protects
the group from too many irrelevant emails as well as from political
posturing and power plays.
Some facts
- There has never been any restriction on this site of discussion
critical of leading constellation organisations such as The knowing field,
ISCA or Sciencia. People seem confused between this sort of discussion and
attempts to organise these bodies via Constellation Talk. Wilfried Nelles'
recent post is an example of a dignified respectful criticism of the article
on the ISCA web site. Max crossed the line when he tried to organise ISCA
through CT.
- Max has indicated to me that he prefers it if I am transparent
to the group about my reasons for putting him on moderation. Max has stated
clearly he wants to use CT to run ISCA. So persistence in that action
despite a clear statement of the guidelines was the final thing that lead to
me moderating Max's messages.
- I have had various requests to allow Ct to be used to organize
other endeavours and my answer has always been that people can use CT to
bring attention to their task but not to organise it. One example was when
Martin Hell was putting together the "World of Constellations" website. It
always sounds like a nice idea BUT in the early days of the group allowing
this sort of function to run with on CT almost destroyed the group for its
primary function as a discussion group. So I have learnt my lesson and have
received plenty of ongoing evidence that guideline 5 is the correct
response.
- The guidelines have served us very well and I am very clear that
I will not change guideline 5.
- If people want to set up another email group that runs according
to different guidelines there is nothing stopping them from doing so
hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
Melbourne, Australia
webpage: <http://www.cwalsh.com.au> www.cwalsh.com.au
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