[PEN-L:33336] New Etiquette

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I was struck by a formula on etiquette in the guidelines of TheNewForum
that might be of interest to Michael, and which I have never seen before:
write to your opponent! - possibly copied to the moderator.

The disadvantage seems to me that on a political economy list one would not
want to exclude marxist views, I hope, and there is a strong tradition of
marxism that much of the struggle is about opposing not just opportunism
and revisionism but being able to expose opportunists and revisionists.
Also there are such enormous things happening in political economy, it
would be suprising if this were not reflected sometimes in a strong clash
of views.

These are the guidelines on Yahoogroups (started Oct 2001, 91 subscribers).
I do not know what it is like in practice.

> TNF is an international forum established to provide a peaceable,
> neighbor-like setting for discussing the significant issues of our time.
> While much of the discussion may stem from current events, it is the
> larger and longer-term implications of the issues that this forum seeks to
> emphasize.
>
> We recognize that the cross-pollination of ideas from a diversity of
> viewpoints is essential to productive exchanges, and we realize that many
> of the issues that are discussed on a forum such as this will be highly
> charged with emotions. Nonetheless, TNF aspires to be the best and safest
> place on the Internet to disagree about the important issues of our time,
> and we therefore expect members to debate ideas without impugning the
> honesty, integrity, intelligence, maturity, or morality of other members,
> their religions, or their cultures. The moderators will see that this
> expectation is met.
>
> TNF has two guidelines designed to maintain a positive tone. (1) If you
> take offense at another member's message, write to that person privately;
> if you think the moderators should be informed, CC your private message to
> thenewforum-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (2) Avoid on-list meta-discussions or
> co-moderation; address such matters to the individuals involved and/or to
> the moderators.
>
> These guidelines have proven to be effective in encouraging positive
> exchanges between members. But beyond guidelines, it's clear that
> maintaining a positive tone also depends on the commitment of each
> individual member. That may at times necessitate self-restraint, however
> that is exactly what a peaceable, neighbor-like setting requires.
>
> Since none of our members are infallible, each must take responsibility
> for evaluating the ideas and evidence presented on this forum.
>
> Only members are allowed to post and they alone have access to the group's
> archives. To protect one another's privacy rights, individuals should
> obtain prior consent before forwarding to another group something written
> for TNF.


I suppose it may be still possible to criticise someone as an opportunist
without impugning their "honesty, integrity, intelligence, maturity, or
morality". Did not Lenin have a personal regard for Martov? But a
"peaceable, neighbour-like setting" sounds a bit religious at this supposed
season of good will. There is my peace, and there is your peace, after all.

Happy festival.

Chris

London