Hey, some of you, cut it out!--God damn it, please

[ckaratnytsky at nypl.org]

     Andrew has done yeoman service on our behalf regarding message 
     protocol and the most desirable use of our list.  I am writing to 
     concur with his remarks and observations, and to thank him and John 
     Krafft, who raised the issue.
     
     Welcome, new folks, join us, participate, do what you will.  We're a 
     congenial bunch (I, for one, have been known to get pretty silly), 
     but, please, have mercy with the chatter.  With the publication of the 
     new novel, there's been a great deal of public attention focused on 
     all things Pynchon, and the list has grown as a result.  Please, 
     reflect well on why you're here.  It's the terra incognita of 
     Pynchon's work (yes, among many other related and unrelated things) 
     that we, group-wise, are interested in exploring, if I may be so bold 
     -- not every free-associative thought, indignant retort, or witty 
     rejoinder that pops into your head.  Take pity!
     
     We should all pay attention to this, from Andrew:
        
     >The more you hold off and think before posting, the more focussed you 
     >make your mail notes, the better the example you set other posters, 
     >then the longer we can all continue to make good use this list as a 
     >resource.
     
     with visions of Mittelwerk's elegant messages dancing in her head,
     
     Chris (fawn, fawn)