More on the new writers' group (part 3)

[zeborah]

Following on from part 2, so far we've got a pretty clear consensus that it should be:

• spec-fic focused;
• publically readable and easily joinable;
• a mailing list (which can be forwarded to a web forum and to nntp);
• "rushing in".

So let's rush in: Brooks, what would it take for you to set up a mailing list with web and nntp interface? What moderation possibilities would it allow, what issues do we need to know, and what questions do we need to decide?


Regarding the 'vision statement' (original here), would the following be better, worse, or the same?

2 a) We know that society in general and speculative-fiction in specific contain many stereotypes and biases that are racist, sexist, homophobic, ablist, and/or intolerant of people in non-nuclear family structures, people of different religions or of no religion, and others.
  b) We don't want to unwittingly perpetuate such stereotypes and biases in our own fiction. We also don't want to unwittingly perpetuate them in real life and/or hurt a fellow human being.
  c) Therefore we want other members to feel free and safe to point out to us if we've said something that accidentally perpetuates stereotypes or biases or is otherwise hurtful; and we will take it as a favour and learn from it if they do. [please see my latest post.]


My general plan for a timeline from now goes:

1. get the technology set up;
2. get the word out among people and groups that might be interested;
3. nominate moderators and decide on rules.

Comments

[brownnicky.livejournal.com]

I am uncomfortable with the proselytizing nature of this.
I am interested in SF, writing and exploring ideas but I am not planning on addressing the issues mentioned in the vision statement in my fiction (or if I do I can't guarantee that I'll do it any way the Zeborah or indeed any one else would approve of.) Do you intend this to be a writing discussion group to replace rascf or is a forum for a campaigning group of writers who share the same broad political agenda?

[zeborah]

See my latest post.