I haven't seen he discussion that seems to have sparked
this discussion. Nevertheless, I have a couple of thoughts
on the matter.
1. Every forum has the right to set its "appropriate
standards", no matter how restrictive and stultifying
you or I may find them. The flip side of that is that we
all have the right o say "no" to that forum and
go elsewhere. I, like you, think that a forum in which
dissenting opinions are suppressed is generally not terribly
useful, and would not spend time there. That doesn't mean
that it is not proper for such a forum to exist, it jut
means that it's probably not a very credible or useful
source of information, whereas a more open forum is a good
place to get good information and feedback. (As the Govt
found out in the case of Don Cameron's forum.)
2. I have found that on forums where community standards of
behavior are enforced - ie HOW things are said, rather than
WHAT is said, in most cases, there is a far higher signal to
noise ration that on forums where "anything
goes". The reason is simple - too much attention and
energy gets diverted into flames and petty stuff instead of
discussion of issues.
Kayza Kleinman
DIrector, Nonprofit Helpdesk
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island, inc.
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