You’ve probably heard of group dynamics. The concept works differently on these Internet groups than in face-to-face meetings.

You do not see the other participants on an Internet group. This leads to various potential problems among participants:

• Some participants want to maintain the momentum of an ongoing discussion. They are afraid that the discussion will fail after it is moved
• They don't want to join a large number of groups. They want to be in control of the e-mail that comes to their box

However, the group leader and the other members of the group see things differently.

• Other subscribers may not want to discuss issues that are off topic
• Some participants may not want to expand the purpose of the group
• There is no reason to discuss this issue when another group has already been set up to handle it
• Those other groups organize the discussions efficiently and sensibly