Let me make a last comment and then close this thread so we can continue spin-off discussions in spin-off threads.
I once started an academic discussion group and a professor i respect told me that most of these things fail and that you really need someone to take responsibility and basically make sure everything gets done -- that if you just hope that everyone will chip in, it won't work.
In many respects i've found that to be true, at least in the initial phases of a new endeavor. It really does take one or two people to spearhead a project. Things just don't get done otherwise -- most things require some concentrated effort and responsible coordinating that doesn't just spontaneously arise from a group.
On the other hand, as things develop, a project like DC grows and evolves. This forum is now a self-sustaining enterprise and i do not view it as my job to decide the rules. I do still think that ultimately sometimes decisions are best made by one or two people rather than putting every micro-level issue to a direct one-person, one-vote poll, not just for practical purposes, but to ensure some kind of consistency and avoid things becoming a constant campaign for influence.
But anyway i do want to emphasize that, especially with regard to this forum, it's purpose is mostly to be useful to the people who hang out here, and i view it as my goal to ensure that it continues to be so, rather than to impose my personal views about content and organization. I do have strong opinions sometimes and i will advocate for them when i think it's important, but i think decisions about the forum should not be based on what I want but what's best for the community.
Of course it's impossible to be all things to all people, so sometimes we may have to make choices about where to focus our efforts and our attentions.
Unlocked for a little more - but please only post if you have have something useful to add
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