CW Dislikes Email Lists…
July 24th, 2006…because:
“[I]nvariably the deluge of emails would become too overwhelming to even try to keep up with - and the many names attached and all the RE: RE: RE: RE: … too confusing. Who said what, and when, and then I would end up unsubscribing.”
“And where there’s discussion, inevitably one subscriber will take offense at what another has sent to the list, there is an exchange of words, some subscribers rise to the defense of one side or the other, there’s much bitching, and some unsubscribe in disgust, and then we all go along merrily once the dust has settled. It’s all very tedious and predictable, and I’m not even talking about deliberate flame wars here.”
Whew. And I thought it was just me. I haven’t been on e-mail lists in years and I don’t miss them (actually, I’ve recently re-joined law-lib, but only for the ILL aspects - it’s still annoying though!). What’s great about her post are the comments. In fact Fiona mentions my historical dislike for lists.
I’ve softened my views over the years on the topic, though. Local, subject oriented lists work well. Huge national or international lists are a waste of time.
BTW, if you haven’t subscribed to CW’s feed, what are you waiting for. Raise your hand if Ruminations is in your aggregator. Me!