At 11:06 PM 1/24/98 -0500, you wrote:
>       Could this problem be solved very simply by the automatic
>attachment of UNSUB instructions at the bottom of every message
>posted on this List?  ==DP
>Dan Pearlman
>Department of English
>University of Rhode Island
>Kingston, RI 02881
>
 
Well, one never knows, do one.... BUT: I should add that on two lists I'm
on, a two-line instruction on how to go to a webpage where people can do a
simple, no-mess-no-fuss unsub is given at the bottom of every single
posting, which is more or less what you are suggesting. It does not solve
the problem at all. As I opined earlier, it's the pigritude factor, or in
some cases a kind of -- to use the pop-psych terminology --
passive-aggressive statement about not liking the list. Some people actually
post sarcastic little messages to the list-members in general when asking to
be unsubbed. And I forgot to mention in my last post.... On two lists I'm
on, the unsub info appears in the header of every message, in addition to
all the other precuations that are taken (monthly message, etc.), and it
still doesn't end the problem, because some people's email systems don't
show them headers unless they change their settings to reveal them.
 
There is no way to keep people from abusing public space without a
moderator, and sometimes that cure is worse than the disease.
 
I'm usually an optimist, but not I fear on this topic. Experience is a tough
teacher.
 
Best,
 
Greg Downing/NYU, at [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]