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There is a misconception about moderating groups. Some people feel that certain groups, such as those that I own, are moderated, whereas other groups are not modeated and they point to the advantages of not moderating groups such as the fact that messages go through right away instead of waiting for a moderator to approve them.
The delay is correct. There is a delay when messages are moderated.
On the other hand the fact that some groups are moderated and others are not is incorrect. All groups in the entire series, every single group on the Internet is moderated.
The question is whether it is moderated by the owner or by the moderator or whether it is moderated by the participants. In the case of the Jewish Groups, the moderator does the honors. In other cases the participants themselves moderate the groups in a different way.
For example, a participant may say something that is out of place and the other participants rebuke him, often starting flame wars. The people flame each other. They criticize them on the group and sometimes severe arguments result.
In this case all of the participants are moderating each other. The result is somebody is going to win, somebody is going to lose. There will be a possibility of many hurt feelings and people will not appreciate the moderation that takes place in many cases.
On the other hand, a group that is moderated by a moderator will also have people who don't appreciate it. After all, the moderator does reject certain messages.
This is acceptable in the Jewish Groups because it keep them peaceful, despite the fact that there are differences in feelings, thoughts, and points of view. The readers only receive a socially acceptable and positive outlook.
It also assures that on the religious groups in this series that points of view which do not reflect authentic and traditional Jewish law will either not be posted or will have an immediate response.
Which way is better? That's for the owner of the group to decide. Moderation involves a great deal of work, especially behind the scenes, discussions with the participants to determine the messages that will go through and many people cannot be bothered with that work. For them it is not a good idea.
Some participants will not approve of moderation. Others demand it. Those who do not approve may accuse the moderator who limits their postings, they may accuse him of being a control freak, and they might have other ways of threatening the moderator to put through their messages. Those subscribers will be removed or banned from the group. In other cases, people will not join a group unless it is moderated. They refuse to be involved in a groups that has irrelevant or improper discussions.
There's no way to satisfy everybody, and that is why it is important to choose betwen moderation and not moderation. When you come in the group it is part of the moderator's admission for the way he wants to run his group or series of groups.
Find out more about reasons for moderating these Jewish groups.
Are you required to read this webpage for a course? Do NOT print out the article. It is copyrighted.
Your exercise for this article is as follows:
1. What is the difference between unity and community?
2. Explain the meaning of community on our Jewish Groups.
Copyright © David Grossman. World rights reserved. This article may not be printed, forwarded, reproduced, or copied in any way or in any medium without written permission from David Grossman.
