Klarinet Archive - Posting 000993.txt from 2004/10

From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Netiquette
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 19:29:16 -0500

It is quite fascinating to compare the very popular flute list with the
very popular clarinet list. On the flute list, you do not dare to be
confrontational or risk the possibility of offending even one subscriber's
feelings. You also do not dare belabor an argument for fear of immediate
and powerful wrath from the list owners. Heaven help you if you forget to
put in a subject line or over quote in a response to another member. I
exaggerate, but not by much.

The flute list, however, lacks a certain je ne sais quois. Everything seems
a little sterilized. There are more subscribers and more famous
participants, but quite honestly everything seems less fun.

The klarinet list, to contrast, is somewhat of a free for all. This can be
much more enjoyable and much more productive. It also tends to create hurt
feelings and occasional barrages of "I'm right." "No! I'm right!"
exchanges. I have no doubt members have left for exactly these reasons and
more. Such are the goods with the bads.

A good friend of mine once bemoaned the loss of culture in New York City
under Giuliani (for those of you who aren't New Yorkers, Giuliani cracked
down heavily on small time crimes under the theory of small crimes lead to
bigger crimes - he was correct). I was a bit taken aback, having never
lived in NYC (and still only visiting) I was quite happy to know that there
was less crime in NYC (and, to be honest, I still am). New York City is now
one of the safer major cities in the USA. It is also a bit sterilized and,
for those who spend a lot of time in it, not nearly as much fun.

I prefer the approach of the Klarinet list mostly because I believe we are
all adults who are for the most part capable of being civil. There will
always be people who behave uncivilized, just as in a free society. I, for
one, prefer the lack of sterility and am quite willing to tolerate a
certain amount of uncivilized behavior to this end.

One point I want to be very clear about, especially since people have asked
me privately. Nothing Tony has said has in any way offended or upset me. I
quite enjoy the back and forth and apologize to anyone who has been
bothered by it. To the best of my knowledge neither Tony or I take anything
said on this list personally. And he still owes me a beer, I might add.

I enjoy the list as it is, but I am also very careful about my choice of
places to visit in NYC. Draw whatever conclusion you wish.

-Adam

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