BIOSCI Administrator (biosci-help at NET.BIO.NET) wrote:
> bionet.general is supposed to be our free speech area in the
> biological sciences. Moderators take on legal liability for
> approving/disapproving posts even if you say that you are only
> filtering out ads. The hierarchy needs an outlet where people who
> have gripes can assume sole responsibility for their own behavior. We
> are happy to moderate every group in the hierarchy except for one for
> the above reason, and bionet.general was designed to fit that bill.
>> The junk mail that comes along with it is an unfortunate price.
I am aware that the issue of free speech is a very delicate one in the
U.S. of A. As a European, I don't feel that a moderation which solely
filters out unsoliticed ads and spam will affect freedom of speech in
any way.
The forseeable problem for bionet.general will be that the signal-to-
noise ratio will steadily drop and scientists will start to unsubscribe.
In addition, I think it would be helpful for BIOSCI to redirect unsoliticed
advertisements directly to http://www.bio.net/ where people may leave
their $$ if they really want to reach professional life scientists.
Just my two pfennigs,
--Cornelius.
--
/* Cornelius Krasel, U Wuerzburg, Dept. of Pharmacology, Versbacher Str. 9 */
/* D-97078 Wuerzburg, Germany email: phak004 at rzbox.uni-wuerzburg.de SP3 */
/* "Science is the game we play with God to find out what His rules are." */
