I agree with Rory that most face-to-face writing workshops inevitably(at least in England) involve a lot of enjoyable ego-stroking and networking. Real frankness can be tricky to achieve. I think Eratosphere offers us the chance to give and receive straightforward opinions and critiques buffered by the distance that the net provides. Of course hackles can still be raised and our sensitive egos can be bruised; but, in my short time here, I have seen people mostly treat each other with consideration.
I think the moderators do a thankless job really well. I agree with Alicia that new and less experienced members need encouragement, and I've seen them get this at Non-Met.(I don't vist Met as often.)On the other hand, I sometimes think that people post rudimentary-looking first drafts which don't even look spell-checked. I find this irritating and disrespectful to other members. I feel relieved when moderators -or someone- has the cojones to point this out to the poster. Steve.
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