[amsat-bb] Proposal for new list

[Alan]

I sympathize about concerns for discussion forums which become monopolized
by something which is profoundly uninteresting or even offensive. Going
offline until it dies down or moving to another venue are viable solutions,
and I have utilized both. However, in some cases that is a double edged
sword.

I used to be a member of an international social/hobby organization which
dwarfs AMSAT and even the ARRL in membership and finances. Paraphrasing and
compressing the situation somewhat, we had an initially very small but
focused group of "reformers" who wished to make changes to the organization
to modernize it, and to push "the old guard" out. There were many soothing
words, and the "reformers" became very adept at using the organizations own
rules in creative ways to further their cause. Many of the local chapters
explicitly or implicitly discouraged any discussions of the issues since
that always resulted in "conflict." It came to pass that the reformers
achieved their goals, and set about instituting their enlightened policies.
Despite all the honeyed words, nothing which was promised about new members
and projects came to pass. The organization currently still exists, but with
cratering membership and finances.

So how does that apply here? I encounter people I used to know there who are
wondering what happened, and how? "Why didn't somebody warn us?!" Some had
been the most adamant in keeping anything which would cause "conflict" out.
For me, a classic case of not being sure whether to laugh or cry. Of course
what can take a generation in a large organization can happen in the blink
of an eye in a small one. If you don't pay attention now, you may well be
wondering what happened sooner rather than later. A true cautionary tale
that sometimes what you do not wish to deal with is what you should give the
most attention. Choose wisely.

73,

Alan
WA4SCA