[vcf-midatlantic] What does Al Kossow have against VCF?

[Peter Fletcher]

There is a reason many of us are only loosely affiliated with the group. These sorts of discussions happen way too frequently for my liking. 

I love the core principals of VCF, but these sorts of discussions have me rolling my eyes once again.

Pete


> On Aug 18, 2021, at 11:44 AM, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> 
> I think this discussion as titled, is inappropriate on principles.
> 
> First, it's a public discussion about an individual, their actions and their supposed motivations. What special knowledge or authority, do particular persons have or possess, regarding some one person other than themselves? I call this "gossip".
> 
> Second, this is a discussion group sponsored by a non-profit educational corporation, for public purpose. I doubt discussions of this class suit those purposes.
> 
> Any plausible rules of moderation would not permit persons to post negative commentary about an individual. If the owners of this discussion group fail to moderate, it falls to the members to self-moderate. And so I post accordingly.
> 
> Discussions about the operation of a mail list, are usually counter-productive; I choose this lesser evil.
> 
> Third, if there's a plausible discussion about something more appropriate, such as say changes in tastes in the vintage computing community (general or particular) - then change the subject line to reflect that discussion, and continue that discussion.
> 
> Put another way: If no one moderates or complains about gossip and personal arguments, and those posts continue, then that becomes the standard. It becomes normalized. Makes it easier to do the next time, and the next. This is the core argument for moderation.
> 
> Regards, Herb Johnson
> 
> -- 
> Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA
> http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net
> preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing
> email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com
> or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net