Maintaining the list

[A440A]

Greetings all, 

      Every list I have been on has had a troll or two. These are people who,
in spite of what they know about the topic, simply don't have the
interpersonal communication skills to keep the exchange of info productive.
They are constantly in the center of a flame war, and generally cause a lot of
"noise".   When the signal to noise ratio goes up, lists begin to lose members
that have a low tolerance to trash talk, regardless of what they may have to
offer.  

There is only one way to keep a group free of these type of people.  It is
simple, non-threatening, cheap,  and fast.

     Do not respond to the antagonists!!    When  trolls gets no response to
their postings, they will leave.   It works every time.
     This will take a little self-discipline, as it is natural to react when
insulted, but if the membership of a list ignores troublemakers,  they will
soon be free of them.  
  So,  don't fight fire with fire, fight it with silence.  
Regards, 
Ed Foote