Back in the day -- i.e., about fifteen years ago -- there was a thriving Usenet group, rec.music.filk, for my friends who play music at science-fiction/fantasy conventions. One of the things that made me craziest was the insistence by the moderators that no off-topic posts were allowed unless they were in lyrical form or otherwise worked into a song.

Back then, there simply wasn't the vast choice of online social networks we have now, not to mention unlimited long-distance phone rates, and many of these people really couldn't communicate otherwise. It was one of the only ways people with similar interests could find out about each other, and limiting the conversation to their hobby only was, and is, insane.

A lot of people share their lives with their friends here. Sometimes that includes some crankiness. As long as no one is openly hostile, I think that's a small price to pay for a circle of friends who share interests and create together.

< /.02 >


Best,
Tom Smith
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