My first reaction to this was: people still read his posts?
My second reaction was: I’m sorry he’s mentally ill (I don’t know if he is but I’ve long assumed it) and on the heals of that I thank God I’m mentally sound.
My third reaction was: NINE people left in ONE day because of THOSE posts?
If irritating posts were the driving force of exits from this list I’d have been gone years ago.
The delete button is so very close at hand and I’ve long made copious use of it.
I realize everyone’s fuse is a different length…what fires me up is not necessarily what fires up someone else.
I think it’s good to consider the intent of this group; for me it has been an invaluable resource of knowledgeable friends and colleagues with vastly different experience from my own who, at the touch of keyboard, have come to my aid time and time and time again when I’ve had problems or questions relating to photography and its periphery pursuits. There are more times than I can count that I’d be absolutely lost without the PhotoForum as a resource…Google is good but it’s not as good as real world experience.
If any member is so disruptive as to render useless the intent of this group (the free sharing of information between educators, professionals and avid amateurs) then it’s probably best the offender be cut loose so as to keep the group intact.
Lea
9 subscribers departed from the list today as a result of Christopher Strevens’ posts.
List participation is, in my opinion, affected by patently off-topic and disruptive messages.
The list was established to serve as a communications venue for the friendly exchange of
information. comments and hints, etc. related to photography and its practice.
While it is recognized that it is easy enough to delete troublesome messages it would
help the overall effectiveness of the list if one did not have to do that. Same for blocking
messages from a particular individual. OTOH, he could be blocked from the list.
We have discussed “censorship” in the past and the general consensus was that we should
not engage in this practice. It is disappointing, however, when members decide they’d rather
leave than have to deal with stuff such what Christopher Strevens has posted recently and
also in the past.
Andrew Davidhazy
PF list coordinator
