[extropy-chat] META: List Discussions

[Natasha Vita-More]

At 11:44 AM 6/27/04 -0700, Robert wrote:

>Just to make sure we are all on the same page...
>
>The Mirriam-Webster online dictionary defines "fascism" as:
>
>1. "a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti)
>that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for
>a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe
>economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition"
>
>2. "a tendency toward actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial
>control"
>
>I would guess the best example of (1) would be Saddam and his
>old regime.  Though there are certainly elements one could
>identify in places like Myanmar and perhaps even China.  Russia
>under communism, and especially when Stalin was in charge,
>would be another good example.
>
>Now, if Natasha or any of the other moderators were to ban
>specific list discussions arbitrarily it would seem to be an
>example of (2).

I'm not a moderator. I simply make an appearance when I get a call or an 
e-mail from one or more list members who are upset because someone on the 
list is being problematic or a particular thread is problematic.  I got 
this about Hubert's email about ExI (I did not focus on his personal jabs 
at me, as it seemed over the top).  However, I am very surprised I did not 
get one or more about you and your postings.  Perhaps if Hubert had emailed 
me privately, he would have gotten a different response and direct 
attention to his concerns.

The list rules state that is anyone has an issue to let the moderators 
know.  They can deal with it.  If not one lets the moderators know, then it 
goes by unattended.  If anyone emails me personally, I take a look at the 
list to see what is going on.  This is precisely what happened this 
morning, and I responded immediately.

Again, rather than getting pissed off and making  libelous statements on 
the list, email the moderators privately and they will be helpful to 
you.  We are here to make the list accommodating for everyone (within 
reason of course).  Resorting to calling ExI fascist is just the wrong 
action to take and only makes the person who is upset (Hubert) the one 
getting pinpointed for his wrongful comments, rather than what he is upset 
about.

>I don't think my comments would fullfill the bill because
>they weren't really a "political", and certainly not a
>"movement" or "regime".  I also was not advocating a
>dictorial leader or an autocratic government.  I was
>arguing preemptive attacks that would have significant
>secondary side effects on people other than those guilty
>of targeting Western societies.

I think that you could have prefaced your posts with a disclaimer to ExI 
and your position as a Board member.  Also, when anyone on this list, 
whether they are affiliated with ExI or not, make personal statements that 
could cause tempers to boil, they might learn from this and openly state 
that these are "personal" views and not the views of their businesses, 
organizations, affiliations or partners.  It is too bad that this might be 
necessary, because it would seem totally rational that such be 
understood.  But, people get upset and tempers flare and *all of us* say 
things that we might say better or differently if the conditions were more 
accommodating and we could see one another face to face.

Natasha

Natasha Vita-More
http://www.natasha.cc
----------
President, Extropy Institute  http://www.extropy.org
Founder, Transhumanist Arts & Culture  http://www.transhumanist.biz
http://www.transhuman.org
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