Ilav/Gian

     I'm almost afraid to weigh in on this one... but my basic feelings are 
     as follows:
     
     1. Far too much time is being spent on this.  He's here, he's gone, 
     he's back again, he's gone again - wait, looks like he's back now!  
     From this pattern it appears that we could spent much of the next 
     several months debating Gian's presence or non-presence.  If we must 
     discuss it, I suggest we focus on the broader points Gian raises (such 
     as the English/non-english speaking divide) and leave the details to 
     private mail.
     
     2. Speaking of private mail, if such mail is quoted or referred to on 
     the list, I suggest that it should be quoted in it's entirety.  From 
     my side I have a large number of questions about what exactly was said 
     to Gian by whom.  However, I'd prefer to leave those questions 
     unresolved, rather than suddenly launch a quotathon on the digest.
     
     3. Gian does make some useful points, and like everyone else I think 
     he should continue to contribute.  (I like the mercury remark from the 
     latest digest).  However, he also, like many of us, makes some 
     immensely silly points (young culture/old culture) and should be 
     prepared for constructive criticism on the sillier ones.
     
     4. Similarly, a point to everyone: you can't really complain if 
     someone doesn't respond to your post.  (Though I really would like 
     some reaction to my message on Dara Happan gender and sexuality...)
     
     5. On the subject of anonymous posts: agreed, stable pseudonyms should 
     be allowed, creation of new anonymous pseudonyms should be frowned 
     upon.  Perhaps we should make that an official rule.
     
     6. Finally, I definitely agree with Jose on his point: 
     


     > The Glorantha Digest has become, with the approach of HW, the

     > "Official Glorantha" Digest. Many digesters (myself included) are 

     > finding it increasingly less attractive to take part in discussions

     > with an official expert (designated by Issaries)

     
     Of course, some people have immensely more experience and knowledge 
     than others, and their views will carry commensurately more weight.  
     At the same time, it's their knowledge that carries weight, not their 
     official position.  I generally feel that a rule #5 should be added 
     here, more or less to the effect that 'we're all equals here, and we 
     shall not create a heirarchy'.  If necessary, Issaries can create an 
     'Official Glorantha' mailing list, sort of like 'Greg Sez', to allow 
     people to rule on gloranthan orthodoxy.
     
     Regards,
     Theo

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