Save yourself a few hassles by finding out these details before you subscribe. Like all conversations, discussions via e-mail rely on the participants to keep them alive and on topic. Be prepared to make the occasional contribution. I've learnt to note and accept the varying personalities - who to take seriously and whose messages I can safely trash when in a hurry. Avoid continued discussions about other list members' attitudes or what topics are relevant to the list - most lists have maintainers to deal with these issues.
Further discussion creates excessive off-topic traffic and irate members.
To find mailing lists of interest, visit Liszts , Tile. Co-workers, family members, clients, old school mates or your next door neighbour could all be subscribed to the same discussion lists as yourself. Someone you know could also be using an assumed identity for privacy. Your messages might also be forwarded without permission and sometimes messages are sent by accident. Many people choose to keep their identity disguised while interacting by e-mail or in chat.