[PEN-L:2400] Re: pen-l and censorship

[blairs@xxxxxxxxxxx (Blair Sandler)]

At 10:09 AM 1/17/96, Michael Perelman wrote:
>Here are my thoughts on censorship:
>
>I do not believe that free speech should be censored when that speech occurs
>in the public domain, such as publishing in books or broadcasting.  I do not
>regard pen-l as the public domain.  Instead, pen-l is a space created for
>people to meet together to learn about how to promote progressive causes.

In short, PEN-L is a commons regime. That means it is not open access.
Secondly it means that we all on PEN-L make up the rules -- whatever rules
suit us. Thirdly, we have the right and even the obligation to restrict
outsiders, more generally, to determine collectively who and what kind of
activities are allowed on PEN-L.

I've only heard people talk about commons regimes in terms of natural
resources (land, minerals, water, air, etc.), but it is obvious to me (in
my ignorance) that PEN-L, the Lorax Red-Green Political Ecology Discussion
Group and other social constructs can also be commons regimes. Does anyone
know of existing discussions of this question? I'd appreciate any
references. Thanks.

Blair