I don't think that would actually do anything to reduce the number of wreckers. It might end up just creating a different set of problems especially if the invite system becomes self-reinforcing with people inviting others from the same places and whatnot. I don't really know any "theory" on moderating online forums but I doubt there's really a shortcut to creating a good forum. Just choose moderators very carefully based on proven commitment and have enough of them to deal with the size of the user base. The latest struggle session came from a stupid decision to onboard people from a non-left-wing online space, not because the site was too open. And wreckers (i.e. feds) are always going to have more time on their hands to circumvent whatever clever vetting systems is in place anyways.
Fair points all around, thanks for elaborating. I do think it would give us a bit more leverage but your point about potentially pathologic self-reinforcement is definitely something I worry about too.
Care to elaborate?
I don't think that would actually do anything to reduce the number of wreckers. It might end up just creating a different set of problems especially if the invite system becomes self-reinforcing with people inviting others from the same places and whatnot. I don't really know any "theory" on moderating online forums but I doubt there's really a shortcut to creating a good forum. Just choose moderators very carefully based on proven commitment and have enough of them to deal with the size of the user base. The latest struggle session came from a stupid decision to onboard people from a non-left-wing online space, not because the site was too open. And wreckers (i.e. feds) are always going to have more time on their hands to circumvent whatever clever vetting systems is in place anyways.
Fair points all around, thanks for elaborating. I do think it would give us a bit more leverage but your point about potentially pathologic self-reinforcement is definitely something I worry about too.