[FC-discuss] Liberating the FC list

[Creighton Samuels]

Steren wrote:
> I was introduced to the US Free Culture movement earlier this summer.
> As far as I can see, I totally share your views but when it comes to
> decisions and actions, I must reckon I'm lost.
> I think there is a lack of constructive initiative. Obviously, this
> could change easily starting by this mailing list. There are topics
> and people have to stick to them.
>
> Steren
> Creative Commons Intern
> Lyon, France.
>   


Well, I've been a mostly lurking member of this list since it's 
foundation, or very nearly it's foundation.  (no, I'm not a founder)  I 
can honestly say that during the early few years, this list was very 
active and very well self directed.  In many ways, as a group we have 
seem to have lost our way.  I don't think that this is due to any one 
person, myself.  I think, perhaps, the movers that have been on this 
list have either dedicated more of their efforts to many other worthy 
causes; or simply burnt out, graduated and moved on.  The problem with 
restricting the flow of information, based on the opinions of the 
readers instead of the posters, is that this list would then become the 
same kind of structured system that this list exists to combat.  I'm not 
sure which would be worse for this cause, a regulated forum of ideas, or 
a bazaar of ideas with a very high noise to signal ratio.  Posts 
requesting that members self regulate are one thing, advocating 
regulations upon the freedom of speech of the membership something else 
altogether.  Certainly, the noise can be annoying and counterproductive, 
but I don't think anyone who truly believes in Free Culture, the 
Creative Commons, and the worthy collection of works that share the 
FSF's licenses could function for long within a forum that limited what 
*they* considered to be relevant enough to post.  Most would either go 
independent, or fork a list more to their own liking.  Either way, the 
end result would be the division of forces and breakdown of goodwill 
between two like minded camps.

Kinda like a church split, gives everyone a bad taste.

Creighton