SHAKSPER 1996: About This List

From: Hardy M. Cook (hmcook@boe00.minc.umd.edu)
Date: 03/04/96 

Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 7, No. 0164.  Monday, 4 March 1996.

From:           Michael Saenger <msaenger@epas.utoronto.ca>
Date:           Monday, 4 Mar 1996 16:08:49 -0500 (EST)
Subject:        About This List

It occurred to me that we really have a problem.  I realize this is a sensitive
issue, but the proliferation of junk is making it hard to take the list
seriously at times.  Many valuable contributors have tuned out after reading
careless and incorrect postings. The basic idea of this list is a noble one --
a truly democratic forum for ideas, a way of weaving any one with a modem into
the academic community.  And it is not naive questions that bring the list down
so much as selfish and lazy ranting.  So what's the solution?

Two lists.  One dedicated to high-level dialogue, the other answering basic
questions and open to any kind of banter.  Any one could subscribe to either
list, but submissions would be controlled, either by Hardy or by the people
themselves.  In other words, submissions which are really chatter would be
directed to the chat list.  You may think this sounds elitist, but actually
there are a lot of people, including myself, who would love to hear the more
distinguished voices of Shakespeare criticism, people who know far more than
myself.  These voices are, for the most part, currently speaking only in
articles, conferences and their own universities.  The internet would be a
great way to allow them to reach a wider audience, but they are now tuning out
on the list.  If we divide the list, then the Shakespearean novice could ask
questions on one list, and listen to the highest level of debate on the other.


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