After more than a year of working with a group of docents who have helped to run the blog, I've decided to end the experiment. The docent model was not entirely successful, in no small part due to an overall lack of organization and commitment, but lately due to some specific personality conflicts. I'm not sure what will take its place, but I'm hopeful that we can develop some sort of community-governed system. Stay tuned.

Do you think it would be appropriate to ban Chris Brownell (Tschida) from OlyBlog for a period of one month (based on his lack of tolerance, propensity for hostility, attacking behavior, obfuscatory remarks, and sheer Orwellianness)?

Do you think banning Tschida, and possibly other users who have demonstrated a consistent penchant for disruptive behavior, would be beneficial to your OlyBlog experience? Do you think it would it be of benefit to OlyBlog in general?

How do you feel about banning?

Think of Future Generations - The Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama on the Duty to Earth and the Human Family

Via Harper's Magazine [linked]:


Bsod-nams-rgya-mtsho. The Three-Deity Mandala of Auspicious Beginning.

If humankind continues to approach its problems considering only temporary expediency, future generations will have to face tremendous difficulties. The global population is increasing, and our resources are being rapidly depleted. Look at the trees, for example. No one knows exactly what adverse effects massive deforestation will have on the climate, the soil, and global ecology as a whole. We are facing problems because people are concentrating only on their short-term, selfish interests, not thinking of the entire human family. They are not thinking of the earth and the long-term effects on universal life as a whole. If we of the present generation do not think about these now, future generations may not be able to cope with them.

–H.H. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, A Human Approach to World Peace (2006)

www.dalailama.com [official site]

I made one more addition to the Social Contract (adding the practices that Mike reminded us of). I think it is good to go. I've added it to the registration email, so all new members will receive it as soon as they sign up. Here's the link, if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet.

Moving forward, I've started a wiki for building a set of Bylaws for OlyBlog. Roll up your sleeves and click here to get to work.