[Philmont] List bullies .... getting ready for the 2008 "new people"

Some thoughts on moderating. Doug Gentry, the moderator of bowline.org,
a genuine Scouting gentleman, and a considerably better man than I am or
will ever be, actually *moderated* the List. That is, he read the
emails and made a Yes/No decision on whether to post them. Whenever he
was unable to do so (like when he was going on vacation), he would leave
the list open, but would also tell everyone that he was leaving, how
long he'd be gone, and that we were all to "behave ourselves." And for
the most part, we did.

With all due respect to the moderators of today - who have a thankless
task - it seems that this sort of hands-on moderation has disappeared
from most if not all Lists. This is not a blame game - we're all busy
as hell with our real lives (I believe Doug Gentry was semi- or fully
retired). Unfortunately there are always some who will abuse the
privilege of an "open" List. Doubly unfortunately, by the time the
moderator steps in, the abuse has escalated to the point where someone,
or several someones, have to be suspended or permanently banned. That's
usually a loss all the way around. And it would have been nipped in the
bud if we had active moderation. Well we don't - and so there's a
choice - tolerate or ignore.

I suppose that being a research scientist gives me a bit of an advantage
in this aspect of the human condition, in that (as a breed) we're all "a
bit off," strongly opinionated, and as hardheaded as they come (if you
listen carefully, you will hear John Leblanc and the other scientists on
the List laughing in agreement). When I was the Research Group
Supervisor for DEA - a job I held for 12 years - the Lab Director told
me I'd have been better off with a degree in Abnormal Psych. Hee-yuck!
  Anyway, I'm accustomed to being shrieked at, also a good skill to have
in a Troop where you're dealing with between 150 and 200 parents. But I
digress....

Bottom line for me has always been worthwhile information. I try not to
shoot the messenger, even if he richly deserves it. And I *really* try
not to become such a messenger myself. If I truly wanted to be
perpetually raging and that eager to insult everyone, I'd join a List
Serve for political commentary. No thanks. Your appeal to the Scouting
Spirit says it all. Something to sleep on, and maybe keep a little
closer to our hearts - especially this upcoming week.

And to all a good night.

- Dr. Bob

Kirk Barley wrote:
> Dr Bob
>
> Been posting here and other Scouting lists for a decade. Lurk and post,
> come and go.
>
> When some of us, me included, tread too hard, all we need to hear is an
> appeal to the Scout Oath and Law in your posting and we clean up our act.
>
> Unfortunately, not everyone who posts follows that rule. I?ve been
> flamed by some members and their supporters for just saying that I
> didn?t think a post followed the Scouting Spirit.
>
> That?s bullying, and a good place for moderators to step in and flip the
> membership or moderated switch.
>
> Some who have been banned from Venturing and other lists deserve their
> behavior modification because they somehow feel the Scout Law applies to
> everyone else but them.
>
> I got tired of being flamed and cheap shotted by some of the Philmont
> and Canoe list bullies, so I just email rule them out of my life.
>
> Wish other people would, and we would not be wasting electrons on those
> who behave badly.
>
> YIS
> --
> Kirk Barley
> Virginia Beach

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Received on Thu Dec 20 19:54:52 2007