The perceived benefits of an OT section benefit some Monks, but are detrimental to others.

It would, however, work against both of the main traits that make PerlMonks the wonderful site it is: A sense of focus, balanced by a sense of investment in community.

It is precisely the absence of these two things that makes StackOverflow the occasionally painful place it has become.

Ultimately, the user-maintained (okay, user-assisted maintenance) nature of PerlMonks leaves the Monastary at some risk of degradation, but we've weathered a few social catastrophes with fairly minimal casualties. I think that alone betokens the wisdom of the balances built into the system the way it is.

On the surface, an OT section seems like a good idea, but it is divisive by its very nature, and invites a drop in focus. I have to say that we're probably better off continuing to encourage both focus and tolerance (and the requisite judgement needed to balance these roughly opposing concepts), which has been the succcessful path of the Monastery to date.

All are welcome to refresh themselves at the well of the Monastery; those who stay have found the spirit of Kindred.

In reply to Re: [OT] How about an Off Topic Section? by marinersk
in thread [OT] How about an Off Topic Section? by flexvault

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