Love is a many-threaded thing. Where is our California parodist when we need her?

I am in two minds about all this. I am the manager of a number of Web sites on other subjects, and I have found that separate discussion forums seem to die. There is something about the mix of a need for information, the expectation that you might get something unexpected, and so on that provokes real discussion. My feeling is that the tradition of sitting around swapping songs and stories and getting somebody mad (but not mad enough to leave the room) is essential to this space. Discussion is sparked by something specific. I admit to wondering if there would be some way to start relabelling a site when its theme migrates way away from the original theme. On the other hand, (against Les) does it really matter if one thread is filled with this sort of thing? Just don't pick up the thread. Especially if it is a Broadway tune.

There has been some discussion among internet aficianados about what is called the "commons problem" -- that is, how do you police access to an open site which has grazers and fly-by- nighters? The general answer seems to be civic manners, reminding people of the rules, sending them on their way with a smile, and so on. My experience with this site is that this is what goes on all the time, extraordinarly graciously. I am only concerned about constant supporters getting fed up with some of this and leaving. I certainly think there should be an uncontroversial pleasant sentence at the top of the threads reminding people to check the database first, put the name of the song in the title (as requested before). This shouldn't have to keep being added.

Finally, I hate to disagree with you Elsie, but I don't believe there can ever be a Deep Folk even for the songs. Part of the humanity of folk, with all its flaws, is the innumerable changes and variations added to and subtracted by fallibility and creativity. think about all the variations of "Fennario" or "The River is Wide" we have already had here. I wonder what would a computer think of the disgusting conversation going on next door in the Woodpecker Song thread! Yours, Peter