A bit of ecology here. The Mudcat is what is called an "open commons" (like the internet and the ocean). Like all open commons, people who come and go have no stake in it, and therefore can exploit it, fish it out, or dump pollution in it, or write graffiti in it. The result is what is called "the tragedy of the commons" -- a fine public idea or space is wrecked by a few. The way the open spaces of the earth are being wrecked by greed and self-interest. The only way such an open commons can work is if there are enough resources set aside for janitors to wipe off the graffiti, police to throw out drunks, etc. These resources, here, are currently being supplied by Max's time, patience, and the assistance of volunteers. They have reached the end of the line.

There are two alternatives: one is privatization -- private property, so individuals defend their individual space, thus eliminating all public space entirely. The other is the creation of a "closed commons". Every workable commons that has lasted -- tribal fishing grounds, hunting territory, common meeting space -- has to be able to police itself, and the behaviour of its members -- this is usually done, not with formal rules, but with ethics, peer pressure, and manners. Mutual coercion mutually agreed upon. If not, it descends into the "tragedy of the commons" again.

This place has had (endlessly) to debate the merits of keeping it an open commons, or having to create a membership structured closed commons. It has hovered between these two approaches because of the ethical imperatives of the folk music community (exemplified by the Digital Tradition) to mutually support each other, and organically accept contributions from almost anyone. But this cannot work forever. Someone has to clean up after the concerts.

Up to this point, the keeping it as an open commons -- where people can come and go with no stake in the place, which is endemic on the Internet -- has been sustainable, on the backs of Max and the volunteers. If the continuation of the place requires the movement to a closed commons -- and it appears that it does, I support that change. We will lose some freedom, but better that than losing the space entirely.

yours, Peter T.