[sumo] Re: Please update- Time for a SML moderator???

[sumo at paketjapan.com]

I can truly lay claim to being the longest member of this ML.  Not
trying to bignote myself, just establishing my ability to comment on
the history of this list.  I have just about seen it all, when it
comes to the 15.5 years it's been going.

I have made many wonderful friends both real and virtual through this
list, seen just as many friendships formed and even some annihilated
online here through the years.

Misunderstandings, egos, arguments, baitings and honest mistakes have
come and gone. This has mostly been counterbalanced by a wealth of
information and generosity of spirit, from many corners of the globe
and many walks of life brought together simply by a common interest in
Ozumo.  People have left in a huff, come back, left and come back
again.  Some have left the list for good, some wonderful human beings
have even passed on and many new members have come in filling the void
of those that left, with many even creating new niches for themselves.

Technology and availability of sumo info online has changed markedly
since 1993.  For some the format of this list is obsolete for others
it is preferred.  Many changes in my own personal circumstances and
responsibilities in all that time have markedly diminished how much I
can contribute to this list and even how often I can get to read it or
watch part of a basho online.

I use a wealth of various online sources for other things in both my
professional and private lives, that include the various different
delivery methods by which sumo info is available today. A daily digest
of the ML still suits me best and I've even thought that the lower
volume in recent times, with mostly just the raw data, probably best
suits my current ability to read it, so personally wasn't overly
concerned with the recent trends.

All that aside, when it comes to a minority sport outside Japan (and
possibly even in Japan in recent times), you should get your fix of
info and actual bout viewing however and whichever way suits *you*
best. There is a place for it all, as if it suits you it is likely
that there is also many others out there also getting something from
it.

This ML though, is just like any other community group with a common
interest (whether a PC user group, a professional society, a school
fete organising committee, or even another online forum) - it is made
up of many and varied personalities. All have something to contribute,
there will be constant turnover, sometimes bickering but it will
always be enhanced by whatever you feel you can contribute to the
cause, as well as by the space and spirit that you create allowing
others to contribute what they can.

In general, it has been a very cordial list over the years, with no
moderation, and the self-censorship of the community generally sorting
out most problems, not without some teeth gnashing at times and not
unlike many other ML and online fora.

My vote is to keep on going unmoderated. Contribute what you can,
encourage others you know to contribute what they can, relax, breathe
and remember it is just a sport - for enjoyment :-).

Enjoy the upcoming basho in whatever way you can!

Cheers, Pete.