Content / Noise Ratio on Taxacom

[Jerry Bricker]

On Fri, 23 Feb 1996, James H. Beach wrote:

> Taxacom Subscribers:
>
>
> Some recent Taxacom discussion threads seem to have devolved into casual
> internet chat, often without much scientific significance.
>
> We are faced with the option of moderating the list, i.e. editing out the
> noise, if enough subscribers feel that the content level has been hovering
> at an unnecessary low level.  Last year, I took a poll of the Taxacom
> subscribers and a majority of the respondents were in favor of editorial
> culling, but I decided to wait and see.  Personally, I don't think the
> content/noise ratio has improved in the last nine months and we could once
> again consider screening out the fluff.  I'm looking at several options
> for accomplishing that. If you have a well-considered opinion, pro or con,
> on moderating (light filtering of Taxacom mail), send e-mail to me at:
> jbeach at nsf.gov.

I have a perfect test to determine whether or not TAXACOM should be
moderated.  If another horrid thread about latin being the language of
taxonomy appears, then by all means jump in and start moderating.  That
dead horse was beaten to a pulp months ago but someone just had to start
it up all over again.  Come on folks, most of the statements I've seen on
the subject are simply poorly hidden racist statements.  Let's all make a
vow not to ressurect the topic for 2 years.  Maybe some real discussions
about "real" scientific and taxonomic issues will arise in the mean time!

Jerald S. Bricker
Laramie County Community College
1400 E. College Drive
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007-3299
(307) 778-1139
Fax: (307) 778-1399
lcjbrick at antelope.wcc.edu