I would add that a discussion group is not a football game
I agree that a football game is not the best metaphor, but we work with what we have. I think SI is more like my swimming pool, which is divided into lap lanes, and which are somewhat like threads. The lanes range from shallow to deep. People who water walk choose the shallow lanes, people who aquajog choose the deep end, and swimmers can use all the lanes equally well.
Most often there are more swimmers than there are lanes so lanes are shared. There are unwritten protocols for getting into a lane. People work things out informally, although I suppose if there were a dispute, the lifeguards would get involved, much like SI. When people enter the pool area they scan the options to see which lane they should enter.
Now, if you're a little old lady swimming a genteel backstroke, you don't choose a lane occupied by a big guy swimming butterfly because you will get swamped the first time he passes you. Conversely, if you want to swim butterfly, you don't get into a lane occupied by an elderly back-stroker. That would be rude. Bullyish, even. You either pick a more suitable lane or you swim your own backstroke first until there's room for you to swim butterfly. When splashy swimmers encroach on little old ladies doing aerobics and trying not to get their hair wet they get dirty looks. I've never seen the converse. I've never seen a swimmer who is easily swamped get into a lane with a rough swimmer and expect that swimmer to tone it down so she can swim backstroke. But I don't think she would get any sympathy. If you're not a strong swimmer, you don't get in a lane where the water is roiled. Or where there are sharks. And expect the jocks to rachet it down to suit you or to be protected from the splashes or the sharks. You swim in a more suitable lane. |
