Date: Sun, 25 Aug 1996 20:24:26 -0600
From: Hans Ehrbar <ehrbar-AT-marx.econ.utah.edu>
Subject: Review of Hans's moderation principles.



I apologize for forwarding a message to the list which was intended to
be private.  I hope both Jerry and Rakesh can forgive me.

But the main purpose of this message is to answer two tactical
objections to an unmoderated list, which are often heard, but which
never seemed convincing to me.

(1) If a newcomer stumbles into the list by mistake, he or she
will be turned off and get a bad image of marxism.

My answer: the solution of that problem is not to gear the discussion
of the group to the eventuality of someone inadvertently opening the
wrong door, but to minimize the danger of newcomers stumbling into the
list.  One important aspect here is the list name.  We have to choose
a list name which seems unattractive to the beginner but has a meaning
for the more sophisticated marxists.  Sometimes I think the name
what-is-to-be-done might be a possible choice.  Another way to address
this question is by designing a home page for all marxism lists which
explains the different lists and directs the newcomers to the
appropriate lists.  (Using a skull and bones as icon would however
probably have a perverse effect.)


(2) An unmoderated list will become the forum of numerically
insignificant sects.

My answer:  There is no direct connection between the size of
the group and the quality of the arguments put forward.
Small groups usually have very committed members, and an
array of small groups networked over the internet can become
a significant political force.

Hans Ehrbar.


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