On 3/7/14 4:36 PM, Dave Crocker wrote:
So, for example:
Folks, this thread is repetitious and does not appear to have any
productive content. Please stop congesting the list with postings on
this thread.
In fact, wg chairs or list moderators sometimes explicitly declare a
thread closed. Any of us can make a public request to the same effect.
As Randy rightly said, this is *not* simple. Depending on the context
(including the perceived seniority of the person doing the posting and
the controversy of the topic being discussed), even saying something
like, "This thread is repetitious and does not appear to have productive
content" in public can be (perceived or truly) simply a
passive-aggressive attempt to shut down a real and serious discussion.
The characterization of a discussion as "repetitious" and "unproductive"
by any random of member of the community can be problematic.
Sending a private email to someone who keeps getting drawn into a silly
discussion (and preferably someone with whom you agree) to remind them
to not get wound up is a good plan. Asking someone like the list
moderator or chair (or someone who we all agree has been given the
responsibility to keep such things in check) to please step in is also a
good plan. But taking it upon yourself to publicly control others is
dicey. Not simple.
pr
--
Pete Resnick<http://www.qualcomm.com/~presnick/>
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. - +1 (858)651-4478