[log in to unmask]" type="cite">Based on my experience, I expect as a result of this decision that the list will probably die.
There are rules for "killing" online communities. If one doesn't do them when killing the community (i.e. Telling people not to talk about Geo-engineering on the list) there will be resentment. If one does them when one doesn't want the community to die, it usually will. Derek Powazek's book is useful:
You can see that users are being blamed for issues that should be considered normal - discussing "off-topic" issues.
- Ample warning hasn't been provided, people are told what is happening with no say in it.
- De-facto the servers are being "shut-off" because people are being told to leave.
- Closure has not been offered.
But on the plus side, alternatives are being enabled!
I think it would be a good idea for the admins (and others) to read the following section of Derek Powazek's book and the paper by Jenny Preece.
Best,
Jonathan Bishop
On 30 April 2013 09:33, Mark Levene <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
dear Forumers,
Having spoken at length with John Nissen (otherwise convener of AMEG) we
have come to a resolution of the crisis affecting the Crisis Forum
JISC-List. This crisis has arisen as a consequence of the continual and
repeated posting about geo-engineering, from a specific group of AMEG
members. While John has demurred on the possibility of a separate
geo-engineering discussion list under the umbrella of CF, John has agreed
that geo-engineering should in future be discussed off(CF)list. CF members
who have an interest in geo-engineering, of course, are free to join the
AMEG or another geo-engineering list. However, if there is a notification
to be made of some significant event or new development with reference to
geo-engineering/the Arctic emergency, which might be of interest to CF
members, then John, or someone else nominated by the AMEG group and
recognised as such by the CF moderators, will forward it to the JISC-list.
While this formula still enables members of AMEG to participate in broader
CF discussions if they so wish, any inclination towards reviving
geo-engineering on the CF List by these specific discussants, will
henceforth receive polite request to continue on the AMEG list, not ours.
Those who persist will be removed from the Crisis Forum JISC list. I have
asked John to write a brief note to the CF JISC-List confirming acceptance
of the above.
Further information about Rescue!History and a new CF specialist group
initiative will follow very shortly.
with thanks
mark