Ballet schools, biker bars, beaches and protest marches all have different expected modes of behavior and interaction, different perceptions of how anonymous you are or are not, and may present different things you need to learn just to navigate and get along before being effective or enjoying yourself. That doesn’t mean that the whole world should or ever could be conducted like a protest march, biker bar, ballet school or public beach. Most people like to be able to be in more than one setting, sometimes with more formal rules and stuctures, sometimes with far less. Sometimes with people who know you and have expectations, fair or unfair, of you and sometimes with people who most likely don’t know or have any ideas about you at all. That was the way of the modern urban world before the internet, already.

Within The WELL the constant is that anonymity is not permitted, but other assumptions about who, where and with whom you are vary greatly, and can bring a remarkable depth to the experience. There are rude people, and rougher areas, and kind people and more gentle and supportive areas. There is crossover so you can see the obvious but important truth that somebody may be a hardheaded jerk arguing one subject and a tender-hearted humanitarian on the same day in another discussion. That’s part of why those who stay, stay — so far, some for them for over 22 years now.

In terms of moderation, personally I have nothing against pre-screening or submitting entries in settings that ask for that, so long as it is obvious that is happening. Sometimes I will participate, sometimes it keeps me from bothering, sometimes it is the only way to offer the ability to comment.

I just was concerned about the viability of some One Correct Code of interaction moderation, whatever it might be. I think O’Reilly backed away from his attempt at a simple solution, with grace under fire, after seeing a spectacular assortment of criticism.

In your experience, how well as the WELL model worked (the reason I’m asking is that it seems to be pretty much the longest running successful online community and there is a lot to learn from that.)