medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear medieval-religion colleagues,
Whenever one unsubscribes from this list, one receives a note asking
for any reason or (especially) constructive criticism in relation to
the decision to leave. Most people, for better or worse, never
provide such a reason. Over the past few months, though, I have
received messages like this one that was sent to the list owners
yesterday:
***
Thank you for providing this discussion list. I have found some
valuable
information through the list. However, the reason I am leaving is
that the
email volume is way too high. Other lists that I belong to have a
strict
policy of keeping all email on their list on topic or closing a
discussion
thread once useful discussion has ceased. I often found my inbox filled
with clever emails that, while cute, would be better addressed
directly to
the whoever initiated the email instead of to the whole list.
Really, it is
just a few of the same posters that seem to dominate the list with
off-topic
material. Those who respond directly to questions are extremely
helpful. I
wish I could stay on, but I don't have enough hours in the day to
keep my
inbox clear and still get my work done. Thank you again for
providing this
service. All of my comments are meant to be constructive. Perhaps I
will
join in again.
***
Our list is an open list, and the list owners do not censor messages
sent to it. It is impossible to please everyone, and if the list
isn't what some members want, then that's just the way it is.
However, the message above (and other similar ones sent in similar
circumstances) reminds us of some useful points. Simply, let's keep
messages sent to the list on topic and clearly written*, and let each
of us try to invite participation rather than take up too large a
share in too many discussions.
I'll try to remember this, myself.
Best wishes, George
* Please remember that we have members who are not native speakers of
English, so we need to write in a way that makes what we write
understandable, and invites them to contribute.
--
George FERZOCO
[log in to unmask]
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