The future of the list?

[LBernier at tribune.com]

     I would hate to see the list moderated because I find that some of the 
     off-topic (at least superficially) posts are some of the most 
     interesting, and inevitably, someone brings them around to relevancy 
     in a neat little circle.  Granted, sometimes things go so far off 
     topic that they should be taken off-list, but wouldn't governing the 
     list remove all possibility of the delicious little frisson one gets 
     when you realise that ALL ALONG WE REALLY WERE TALKING ABOUT PYNCHON, 
     just nobody knew it.  Or, those posts that did make it through would 
     be at the whim of the moderator, so biases would definitely appear.
     
     I think the problem lately has been those using the forum for personal 
     debate which has not even Pynchon as its root.  The music debate which 
     was raging was at least an offshoot of a legitimate conversation about 
     TRP, even if it no longer has anything to do with same.  BUT, the 
     Jules, pro and con debate is between 3 people, as far as I can see, 
     and their incessant "I know you are, but what am I?" dialogue is 
     really polluting the list.
     
     Would it be possible to moderate under a model where you are allowed 
     to post freely IF you are subscribed, but where the moderators could 
     have the power to cancel your subscription, after fair warning that 
     your presence is becoming tiresome?  The emminent cancellation could 
     even be opened to the list, to allow a hearing of some sort prior to 
     being cut off.  Or is this too totalitarian? 
     
     Dammit, I like the anarchy!  
     
     BTW, Jules haters, I was reading a biography of Bob Dylan when I was 
     loafing at the lake last weekend, and whose name should come up in it 
     but . . .
     
     Jule Siegel!  I screamed in ghastly amazement - HE REALLY DID MEET BOB 
     DYLAN (or at least Dylan's parents) AND THEN HE WROTE ABOUT THEM IN 
     THE SATURDAY EVENING POST!  
     
     Jean.