The list owners do have ultimate power to set the rules as they see fit.
If they set everyday operational rules per the general wishes of the
community and in an open and consultative way, they do so because they have
*by fiat* established as a (meta)rule that they will behave this way.
Just because the owners are behaving in a completely professional and
egalitarian manner doesn't mean they are not exercising their 'ultimate power'.
Cheers.
Fil
Klaus Krippendorff wrote:
> i would hope that the list managers do not claim the ultimate power to set
> the rules as they see fit.
>
> i prefer that they see themselves as facilitators, as proposing rules that
> encourage the majority, ideally all members of a list, to feel at home and
> comfortable enough to formulate challenges and risk being mistaken. the
> list managers should also be forgiven for making mistakes if they are
> willing to learn from them and propose changes to the rules.
>
> where participation is voluntary, rules are only as good as members (and
> leaders) are willing to interpret them.
>
> klaus
--
Prof. Filippo A. Salustri, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Ryerson University Tel: 416/979-5000 x7749
350 Victoria St. Fax: 416/979-5265
Toronto, ON email: [log in to unmask]
M5B 2K3 Canada http://deed.ryerson.ca/~fil/
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