on@hpda.UUCP (05/23/86)
Mark There is some real truth to the statement "more heat than light" concerning several newsgroups mentioned in your talk.* proposal. However I think that one newsgroup in particular is not in that category. I refer to net.motss It is true that net.motss had some problems with one particular individual but that situation has been resolved, and the party in question has promised to desist from posting to net.motss. Gay people are an invisible minority We exist in significant numbers throughout all cultures and all societys. As a result of the underground imperative that currently exists within the Gay experience it is a common effect that our ways , needs, and goals remain out of the spotlight until something happens to focus attention in our direction. Picture a cat that goes about its business without notice until someone steps on its tail! Non Gay people are largely unaware of the hardships that Gay people must suffer, and the scope of oppression that we deal with in daily life. Homo phobia is deeply ingrained in our western culture and continuously chips away at our basic human rights like darkness follows daylight. We are used to it, and many of us are very sensitized to it. When you receive replies to your proposal that accuse you of homophobia , please be aware that it is directed at the institutionized factors, and probably not the individuals who are reflecting them. (I don't mean to speak for anyone else, this is my opinion of course) In this light I think that net.motss should be removed from the list, or failing that it should be joined by net.singles for no other reason than fairness. Actually I think that it is a bad idea to amputate any of the sorely affected groups yet. It doesn't take much perusal of the listed groups to see that the vast majority of the "heat" is coming from a few selected furnaces! Perhaps its time to really take the abusers to task about their motives. (And I don't mean just call them assholes for the umpteenth time ! ) Its not fair to those who have genuine concern in the areas of politics, and religion, and gender studies to be singled out for ostracism because of the excesses of a few. Many other non-technical and potentially frivolous newsgroups pass lots more traffic than those mentioned. Net.jokes has already been mentioned, and other high traffic groups like net.sf-lovers and net.games.frp are others I would call attention to. It seems to me that if there is a question of what kind of traffic should be divided from that which a corporate entity would find valuable, I would make that division wide sweeping and separate the newsgroups into Technical and Non Technical. Making decisions about which non technical groups are worthwhile and which are trash requires the wisdom of Solomon and I for one know that I don't have it ! The USENET is a powerful experiment in global communication that is not dependent on big media control. It is through the generosity and sometimes the unknowing cooperation of the Corporate world that the backbone transmits this glorious anarchy. What they pay to Ma Bell today they will recapture in the benefits that all of society will gain by the experience. We are not just nerds with our heads glued to technical journals, we have interests that span the realm of human experience, and the usenet reflects this. I will admit to having gotten caught up in the excitement of battle in a few categorys myself, but I get no kicks from beating my head against a wall, and thats what it became ! So now boys and girls its time to moderate ourselves or get ready for the ax. We can foil the executioner if the *problem* groups clean up their act..... maybe To those word warriors who have the time, patience, and inclination to fill up miles of oxide just to hear yourself talk, buy a tape recorder and some radio time! To the creative crusaders who can't pass up the challenge of sharpening their wit on someone elses public foolishness (myself included!) post it on the ESPnet and exercise prudence on the usenet. To the Prophets of big profits, and other watchdogs of the corporate dollar renew your subscriptions to the Wall Street Journal and go do the crossword puzzle or something........ "Thats ok mr controller, we're not the nerds your looking for " LUX ..on Owen Rowley hplabs!hpda!on