Mellotronists

Various bits of hate mail (just kidding)...

   > From: Bob Snyder <bob.snyder@...>
   > Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:58:45 -0800
   > 
   > I've been on this list since it started which is a long time. In
   > all that time there have been a lot of rude messages, a lot of
   > name calling, a lot of hurt feelings. That seems to be the nature
   > of email lists -

I agree, there have been a lot of rude messages, name calling and hurt
feelings.  That's *not* a good thing.

And that is *not* the nature of email lists, that's the nature of
immature participants.  For comparision, check out the "synth-diy"
list, which has long been a beacon of politeness, of learning, of
sharing ideas in a positive environment, and with discussions that,
almost without exception, end up expanding the state of the art of
synthesizer design.

   > From: Mark Pring <markpringnz@...>
   > Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:39:28 -0800 (PST)
   > 
   > Below is a copy of your email reply to Mark Wallis in July when
   > he thought he had been removed from the group.

Okay.

   > I don't recall Mike making any threats. 

So I'm not allowed to elevate the standards of the list?  Would you be
happier if I lowered the standards?  I'm sure you would.

   > I remember some one ( but not who) saying that one needed a very
   > thick skin to be on the list. I think this is true,

I agree, and that's a Really Bad Thing.  Why should anybody need a
thick skin?  Why shouldn't somebody be able to make an insightful
point about music without a gang of brutes roughing him up?  Why
shouldn't newcomers be welcomed in?  Why shouldn't people be treated
with respect?

   > From: Jim Anderson <jimanderson@...>
   > Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:26:17 -0800
   > 
   > I'd say for truth of advertising we should just rename the list to  
   > Mellotronassholeists and welcome everyone.  

Jim, you have nailed the issue right there.

   > From: "jonesalley" <jonesalley@...>
   > Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:40:47 -0600
   > 
   > I'm not going to venture an opinion on the list as to whether
   > Mike should be a member or not.  I only wish to remind everyone
   > that this is a private group that is owned and moderated solely
   > by Don under Yahoo's terms, and while things are obviously
   > free-ranging it is still Don's Yahoo! Group and not a democracy.

Jonesalley is correct.  But it's nothing really.  By nothing I mean
it's a free service provided by Yahoo.

   > From: lsf5275@...
   > Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:36:02 EST
   > 
   > Jon, without a doubt, that is (some of) the lamest bullshit I
   > have ever read on this list.

No Frank, it's absolutely true.

   > Jon, Don might have started this list, but it now transcends
   > him. It isn't his. It is all of ours and we trust him to moderate
   > it.  But to do so, he must remain neutral and follow a fair set
   > of rules. He doesn't get to throw people out that piss him
   > off. That's not fair. We should all have a say.

Only in your fertile imagination, Frank.

   > Moderate, don't censor. 

First off, moderating a list takes way too much time.  The moderator
has to read and decide on each posting in a timely manner.  I don't
have time for that.  You see, I have a life, a family, a day job, and
literally hundreds of really important projects I'm working on.  Hell,
I don't even have time to read all my hate mail.

Secondly, if a list needs to be moderated, it's proof positive that
the participants are far too immature to interact without adult
supervision.

Third, you're advocating censorship.

Fourth, don't be telling me what to do.

   > From: Rick Blechta <rick@...>
   > Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:33:50 -0500
   > 
   > Could I respectfully point out that at the beginning of this debacle,  
   > you were what I considered very rude to me? 

Oh crap, I may have Blechta and Dickson confused.  Did I throw out the
wrong guy?   :-)

----------------

So, the issue here is that the manager of this list is at odds with
the content of this list.  It's not doing any good for music or
musical instruments, two things I care very much about.  There's way
too much rudeness, way too much fighting, nothing positive.  And
positivity is something I also care about.  

So I'm thinking this list, while started with the best of intentions,
is actually doing more harm than good.  And that's not a good thing.

  -- Don

-- 
Don Tillman
Palo Alto, California
don@...
http://www.till.com