On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 2:12 AM, Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@gmail.com> wrote:

> "I mean, surely we are all part of various communities, and in other
> contexts we wouldn't do
> this."
>
> I'm curious about where you get that information if you believe it is fact?
>

Just my experience.  I can't imagine the kayak, bike, or other sport-related
lists I've been on acting this way.  The kayakers mostly seem to argue.  The
neighborhood lists I'm on are certainly sometimes helpful in practical ways,
but also very contentious on community issues, and not providing this kind
of personal support to each other (though one was mostly good when there was
a fire in the neighborhood).

Donating blood (something I do regularly, except when they won't take mine
because of my travels & exposure to malaria) has the anonymity of the
vanagon list - easy to do good without actually interacting with the
beneficiaries.

Could well be that lots of groups are like this, though - I just haven't
seen it.

Joy