X-Message-Number: 6745
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 08:13:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: Noise

So, Usenet-style "noise" finally afflicts CryoNet. I guess it had to
happen eventually, and I certainly feared the worst when one past offender
promised not to do it under his own name anymore. 

I strongly believe in anonymous remailers. Anyone should be able to
express opinions anonymously (while realizing that the opinions will carry
less weight that way). Suppose there was a cryo-scandal, and suppose a 
whistle-blower type wanted to make it public; he might feel able to do so 
only via an anonymous post. So, I vote for NOT excluding anonymous mail. 

I have seen in the past that fictitious characters can get posts into
CryoNet even when Kevin restricts the list to "known" contributors. Any
pseudonym can become "known" merely by asking to be on the list. Therefore
I vote for NOT returning to the system whereby Kevin restricted the list
in the past. It wouldn't necessarily help in the long term. 

The problem doesn't lie in the SOURCE of messages, it lies in the CONTENT.
Therefore I believe a moderator is the best answer, so long as the
moderator filters only those messages that are witless/abusive. The
moderator would also have to be relatively detached and objective, not an
officer of any one cryonics organization (which exempts Kevin Brown, who
is treasurer of CryoCare). 

A rather good cryo-FAQ was put together by a certain Mr. Freeman, as I 
recall. Since he has already PROVED his ability to rise above individual 
group loyalties .... how about it, Tim?

(Footnote: The most annoying part about this is that people who make
abusive, anonymous posts want attention, and they're now getting it, which
no doubt gives them--him?--a little frisson of giggling pleasure. But
temporarily I hope.)

--Charles Platt, speaking for myself, not CryoCare.


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