Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
were emailed in for moderation, and if they passed the test, their responses
would likely show up in the feed in the next few days.
2
My traversal through some of this space began in the mid-1970s at
CyberVision, when I was introduced to the Control Data PLATO system.
PLATO was heralded as the fi rst “computer-aided instruction system,” cre-
ated by the University of Illinois beginning in the early 60s. PLATO intro-
duced me to multiplayer fl ight and maze games as well as message boards,
real-time chat, and multi-person forums, some of which had the makings
of early collaborative work environments. PLATO also provided me with
my fi rst experience of fl ame wars, in which two or more users would go at
one another with ever-escalating vehemence, often “baited” by an original
message intended to be provocative. Flame wars can be dramatic, but they
pose great challenges to moderators.
The role of the moderator in these early forms was liminal and dy-
namic. Some of the earliest BBS systems were not moderated, or the “mod-
erator” was likely to be a systems administrator just trying to keep things
running smoothly. With the increasing complexity and scope of systems,
the mediator's role tended to become more actively engaged with the com-
munity, struggling with governance, setting or enforcing policies, and cen-
soring inappropriate comments, actions, or characters. There was also a
pastoral side to the moderator in keeping the virtual community connected,
vibrant, and safe.
Free speech and censorship have been abiding issues. Whether getting
“toaded” on a MUD or mediated into silence on Usenet, people had things
they wanted to talk about that didn't fi t into “polite societies.” Pornography
was the leading topic (and probably still is), but all sorts of marginalized
voices—from Furries to faeries—wanted to participate in these new forms
of communication and community where their own voices can be heard.
The alt.* hierarchy was created by John Gilmore and Brian Reid in 1987
in response to a reorganization of Usenet that would eventuate in greater
censorship of topics. “Alt” referred to topics that were “alternative”; that is,
not part of mainstream popular culture. Although sexual interests made up
2. I want to take a moment to honor Eugene Maia for inventing the FAQ (“Frequently Asked
Question list”) in the early 1980s. His inspiration was getting sick of people asking the same
questions over and over; the canonical answers were posted once a month in any given Usenet
discussion list.
