The board is built on discussion, which means talky people will be more visible in the process than less-talky people. But we also have voting procedures in place so that big decisions don't get made by bullshit consensus and so the less-talky people don't get left out of the process entirely.

Concur.

Do we implement voting for small decisions too?

I say, "No!" Because (at least as I've seen it) every vote that goes through Bureaucracy causes a certain amount of friction and we lose some goodwill. Some votes are necessary for the long term health, but constant voting about niggling details would be instant heat-death.

Rather than that, I'd follow the Allyson school of thought and rather have the Stompies make the decisions. But I know that's not going to happen either.

Yeah, I don't like that idea so much. ita's got a lot of crazy notions.

I'll just note again, my hard-earned lesson in this community - Not everybody's going to be happy. I do try to keep Scrappy's point in mind. I do want to accomodate people, and sustain the community, and bring some shape to the way we talk to each other. But you can't over legislate this stuff.

Ultimately, you have to have an investment in the center of the community, not the edges. If your want is on the edge, that won't be met. If it's closer to the center of the community then it probably can be accomodated. But the center moves and that's why we talk about things.

1. Is there a problem with people being shouted down?

2. Is the problem such that we should take action?

Also, I'd really like it if the people who DO say yes to these questions would then offer up what they would like to see happen.

SInce I know it will be commented on, I just want to point out that the board does not have Moderators.

The center could stand to keep the wishes of the edges in mind. We're intelligent people and, historically, compassionate ones.

Maybe moderators don't even realize it's happening -goodness knows they're busy enough.

We don't HAVE moderators. We're self-modding. My feet, they stomp, but generally only spoilers or broken HTML.

(content doblerized)

Maybe moderators don't even realize it's happening -goodness knows they're busy enough.

We don't have moderators.

And I think Consuela's questions are the right ones, and what Steph said about people who feel like the answer to #s 1 and 2 is yes.

I would've spoken up, even though I'm also very persnickety

no, you're pernickety (waits for the laughter of Literary posters)

Anyhoo, I think some good points have been made. I think that it's important to note (as I believe David touched on) that when you criticize someone/thing, you have to have some cred to do so. This is why the "newbie" post is not getting as much weight as it might. A suggestion or comment on something else may have been treated differently.

There are people on the board that tend to get a little high handed, or even post things that could be considered rude or offensive. When that happens, I snarl "asshole" at the screen and move on, possibly bitch in my LJ. It's not always possible to like everyone at the party, even though you want to be there.

I snarl "asshole" at the screen and move on

Hell, I sometimes do that to my own posts.

The center could stand to keep the wishes of the edges in mind. We're intelligent people and, historically, compassionate ones.

That can only happen if (1) the peeps at the edges make their wishes known, and (2) accept that sometimes those wishes aren't going to be granted. Stating that it isn't fair that the majority doesn't agree with you is understandable, but probably won't change the opinions of the majority.

I think that it's important to note (as I believe David touched on) that when you criticize someone/thing, you have to have some cred to do so.

Okay, I guess I can't let things die. But when I posted essentially the same thing -- though in a much more aggressive tone -- people stepped up and said "Nope; everyone gets a say." How is what I said so different?

Okay. Need to let it go. Not important. I know the lurkers support me (but via fax, surprisingly).