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From: sjl@amdahl.UUCP (Steve Langdon)
Newsgroups: net.followup,net.jobs,net.news
Subject: Re: Headhunters in net.jobs
Message-ID: <1117@amdahl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 9-Feb-85 03:59:26 EST
Article-I.D.: amdahl.1117
Posted: Sat Feb  9 03:59:26 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 11-Feb-85 04:04:23 EST
References: <290@bbnccv.UUCP> <1108@amdahl.UUCP> <2331@nsc.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Amdahl Corp, Sunnyvale CA
Lines: 66
Xref: watmath net.followup:4441 net.jobs:1002 net.news:3125

> In article <2331@nsc.UUCP> chuqui@nsc.UUCP (chuqui) writes:
> 
> I think I ought to point out that the Solution is (I believe) a timesharing
> system, and AA personnel a client. This implies, of course, that AA
> Personnel is paying cold cash for their access to the network and
> the postings they do. This also gives them a BETTER claim to do so than
> many, because they ARE directly supporting the costs of the network,
> rather than pretending that it is free.

I think that you are struggling to make the point that you
get to later in your posting.  How many of the companies who are on the net
are not "contributing" at least as much as AA Personnel?  My reading of the
maps suggests that the Solution is a leaf node, and as such is not one of the
systems that is spending large amounts of resources to keep the net alive.

> Rule? Usenet? Rule? (vicious, hysterical laughter.....) Lets create a
> rule-- no headhunters on the net. Lets create a rule-- Chuqui can't post
> any more. Lets create a rule-- No redheaded blue eyed Polish people with
> lefthanded traits can post the to the net in net.jokes on alternate
> Thursday. Better yet, lets TRY to enforce these rules.
> 
> You can create rules as much as you want, but enforcement of these rules is
> another matter entirely.
> ...
> BIG advantages of the net as it currently stands. If you want to do
> something, We (meaning the fascist upper management inner circle of Usenet
> dictators) can't stop you. But it also means that if someone else does
> something you don't like, you can't stop them, either. 
> ...
> Go ahead. Make rules. But I also suggest you look for ways of turning
> rules into policies. Without a rule maker or a rule enforcer, a rule is a
> very lonely thing.
> 
> Chuq von rospach

I think that we have now got to the substance of your posting, and reading it
makes me rather sad.  I detect signs of burnout from one of the more important
contributors to the net.  Please try and continue to be patient with the
unfortunate negative side of uncensored communication.

I also get frustrated at the amount of junk that I have to weed my way through
to get at the gems available on the net.  However, I feel that it is important
that we continue to have the raw medium available.  This does not mean that
I support the rabid rantings we have seen recently (from Adrian etc.).  In fact
I support the existing moderated groups, and I am very enthusiastic about
Stargate, even if, as seems likely, It will only be used for moderated traffic.

This does not mean that the uncensored net is unimportant.  Your reactions
remind me of the ACLU supporters who left when the ACLU defended the Nazis
marching in Skokie.  While I abhor their views, they have the right to express
them, and your committment to freedom of expression is suspect, if it only
extends to people who share your views.

Gordon is an articulate defender of the uncensored net.  I do not believe that
this disqualifies him from commenting on inappropriate use of the net.  While
general disapproval is unlikely to stop new users from posting "hello world"
in net.general, it may discourage ongoing advertising.  For example, the
Solution might decide that the revenue received from customers willing to use
the net in a non-commercial way exceeds that from AA Personnel.  Sustained
moral pressure may not be a very satisfying way of policing the net, but it
is the only way to maintain the virtues of a unique forum.
-- 
Stephen J. Langdon                  ...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun,nsc}!amdahl!sjl

[ The article above is not an official statement from any organization
  in the known universe. ]