Just as in real life, Madere says e-mail conversations bring out individual personalities, especially when participants ask questions or post spontaneous observations. You start to count on people to do and say certain things, he says, and that reinforces a sense of community. Ties can be easily dashed by an insensitive message. Inconsiderate participants may flood your in-box with useless information or minute details of their personal lives. The single most persistent problem is when the thread goes off topic, Madere says.
Emotions run high because social e-mail lists have become lifelines.
An inclusive information exchange was what motivated Newmark to start Craigslist five years ago. I saw people giving each other a break a job recommendation, an apartment tip and wanted to spark more of that. Newmark also clearly remembers what it feels like to be on the outside. Newmark says he has turned down two significant offers of money to make the list into a commercial service because he remains committed to a community vision. Communal e-mail lists are beginning to spread beyond the trendsetting world of Silicon Valley.