View source for Rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated

{{Short description|Usenet group dedicated to the works of J. Michael Straczynski}}
{{lowercase|title=rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated}}{{Update|date=September 2021}}

'''rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated''' is a moderated [[Usenet]] [[newsgroup]] that focuses on the [[science fiction]] [[television series]] ''[[Babylon 5]]'' and the works of writer [[J. Michael Straczynski]]. It was spun off from its un-moderated version, '''rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5''', in 1996. The newsgroup counts Straczynski as a frequent contributor, and was among the first internet-based forums where fans interacted directly with a '[[showrunner]]'.

==History==
In the early 1990s, several newsgroups were created that focused on the sci-fi show ''Babylon 5.'' One of these groups, rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, became well known for the participation of ''Babylon 5'' creator and writer J. Michael Straczynski. Straczynski had long participated in many online forums since the 1980s, and is widely credited as being the first notable artist and celebrity to interact with fans online, even before the advent of the [[Internet]] as it is now known.<ref>{{cite book |title=Science Fiction Culture |first=Camille |last=Bacon-Smith |year=2000 |publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania Press]] |isbn=0-8122-1530-3 |pages=87–89}}</ref>

Straczynski interacted with ''Babylon 5'' fans on rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 and similar groups on [[GEnie]] and [[CompuServe]], however rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 slowly turned into a morass of [[Newsgroup spam|spam]] and '[[Flaming (Internet)|flame wars]]' (usually perpetrated and carried forward by a rather small group of people). The more ''Babylon 5''{{'}}s ratings increased, and the more attention was drawn to Straczynski's involvement in the group, the more extensive and vitriolic the many flame wars got. By the end of 1995, Straczynski was also being '[[Cyberstalking|net-stalked]]',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035906p1.html |last=Plume |first=Kenneth |title=Interview with J. Michael Straczynski (Part 3 of 4) |date=September 7, 2000 |website=[[IGN]] |accessdate=July 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827054846/http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035906p1.html |archive-date=August 27, 2009}}</ref> and had to scrap a script in pre-production because fans were posting story ideas.<ref name="Lurker's Guide PtG">{{cite web |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |authorlink=J. Michael Straczynski |title=Guide: Passing Through Gethsemane (JMS Speaks) |website=[[The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5]] |date=July 13, 2004 |url=http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/048.html#JS |accessdate=July 27, 2008}}</ref> Eventually, Straczynski left rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, focusing on the moderated Internet based forums.

A group of fans then proposed the creation of a [[USENET#Moderated and unmoderated newsgroups|moderated]] version of rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5. The resultant Request For Discussion<ref>{{cite web |title=RFD: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info |url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/alt.tv.babylon-5/DgOkGqSJD54/IeL0HJaTWnsJ |date=January 31, 1996 |accessdate=May 26, 2019}}</ref> became the most replied to RFD in the history of Usenet at the time (surpassed only by the rec.music.white-power newsgroup vote),{{Citation needed |date=October 2008}} and the proposal overwhelmingly passed, creating rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated. The majority of rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 contributors, as well as Straczynski and other Usenet personalities, flocked to the new group, essentially continuing rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 in a more controlled environment.

Straczynski continues to post to rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated to this day, engaging in discussions with fans about many subjects in addition to answering questions about his works and using the group to make announcements about new projects.<ref name="jmsnews 1-2884">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=9183 |website=JMSNews |title=B5 newsgroup? |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=May 27, 1997 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref> The various independent websites that archive his Usenet posts or the group itself are usually mis-cited in the [[News media|media]] as being his official websites. 

The group is actively moderated on a volunteer basis by two ''Babylon 5'' fans, and the computer equipment and bandwidth costs are supported by donations from other fans. Posts can be made through normal Usenet methods (via a [[News client|newsreader]] or the [[World Wide Web]] through [[List of Google services and tools#Groups|Google Groups]]), or via [[e-mail]].

==Moderation==
Per the group's charter, no topic is "[[On-topic|off topic]]". Most discussions at first naturally focused on ''Babylon 5'', and since the show ended, on Straczynski's recent works in [[comics]], [[film]], [[radio]] and [[television]]. The group can be looked at as more of a general discussion group. 

The only things that are not allowed in the group are spam, [[Internet troll|trolling]], story ideas about ''Babylon 5'' or other projects Straczynski may be working on, and flame wars.<ref name="cybercultures" >{{cite book |last1=Bell |first1=David |first2=Barbara M. |last2=Kennedy |title=The Cybercultures Reader |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2000 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cyberculturesrea0000unse/page/225 225–226] |isbn=0-415-18378-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/cyberculturesrea0000unse/page/225 }}</ref>

Posts from new contributors or new threads go through the moderators for approval first ("hand moderation"). Posts to existing threads from experienced contributors are automatically allowed through by computer. Discussion threads on particularly heated subjects (usually politics) are continuously hand moderated to prevent flame wars from occurring, and if they do, the thread can be shut down. The system is not perfect: posts can be lost and the group can be down to new posts if the moderation computers are being moved or during power outages, etc. Appearance of new threads are dependent on the availability of the moderators, and may sometimes take more than a day to appear. Occasionally, complaints of [[censorship]] arise, though these complaints are often from people who were making posts that violated the clearly set rules. Nevertheless, the forum is still a popular discussion ground for Straczynski's fans, with the main selling point being the opportunity to interact with Straczynski.

Jay Denebeim, a volunteer moderator for Rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated, was profiled in a ''Wall Street Journal'' article that covered the travails that beset the Usenet in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Behind the Scenes --- The Moderator: Running a newsgroup means walking a fine line between discussion and chaos; And it's getting finer all the time |last=Hanrahan |first=Timothy |date=December 8, 1997 |page=R.26 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |volume=230 |issue=112 |quote=As a volunteer moderator for rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated, the busy Usenet newsgroup dedicated to the four-year-old science-fiction TV drama "Babylon 5," the Internet veteran spends as much as 30 hours a week sifting through hundreds of e-mail submissions about the show, separating the good from the bad and the ugly. The good ones -- most of the e-mails -- go onto a computer server hooked to the Internet, where anyone can read them. The rest go nowhere.}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Straczynski's [[Internet marketing and fan influence on Babylon 5|involvement]] with rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 and its successor, rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated, has had great influence on his works, especially ''Babylon 5''. Straczynski's involvement on these groups also paved the way for similar online discussion involvement by many artists and celebrities today.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wexelblat |first=Alan |contribution=An Auteur in the Age of the Internet: JMS, Babylon 5, and the Net |title=Hop on Pop: The Politics and Pleasures of Popular Culture |editor-last=Jenkins |editor-first=Henry |year=2002 |publisher=[[Duke University Press]] |isbn=0-8223-2737-6}}</ref><ref name="Lancaster">{{cite book |last1=Lancaster |first1=Kurt |first2=Henry |last2=Jenkins |title=Interacting with Babylon 5: Fan Performance in a Media Universe |publisher=[[University of Texas Press]] |year=2001 |isbn=0-292-74722-5}}</ref><ref name="Vint">{{Cite book |last=Vint |first=Sherryl |contribution=Babylon 5: Our First, Best Hope for Mature Science Fiction Television |title=The Essential Science Fiction Television Reader |editor-last=Telotte |editor-first=J. P. |year=2008 |publisher=[[University Press of Kentucky]] |isbn=978-0-8131-2492-6}}</ref>

At the time, the word "[[blog]]" had not yet been coined, and yet Straczynski's discussion of every episode of the show prior to its airing remains a critical milestone in the history of production-related blogging.<ref>{{cite web |last=Askwith |first=Ivan D. |title=Television 2.0: Reconceptualizing TV as an Engagement Medium |date=September 2007 |publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] |url=http://cms.mit.edu/research/theses/IvanAskwith2007.pdf |page=91}}</ref>

==Straczynski's contributions==
Straczynski began his postings on GEnie with background information about the setting and history of the major races and station. By the time he began posting to Usenet, the pilot was over and episodes were in production.<ref name="jmsnews 1-15097">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=20359 |website=JMSNews |title=Passage through jumpgates |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=July 9, 1993 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref> Discussion of upcoming projects was a frequent topic throughout, and began as early as July 1993 with information about upcoming [[comic book]] adaptations.<ref name="jmsnews 1-15100">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=20333 |website=JMSNews |title=A Couple of Questions... |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=July 19, 1993 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref>

Early in the first season, Straczynski began to divulge details of upcoming plot threads, though he did so sparingly. One such comment set up the [[homosexual]] themes that would not be revealed until the second season between two of the female characters ("[[List of Babylon 5 episodes#ep41|Divided Loyalties]]").<ref name="jmsnews 1-15144">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=20203 |website=JMSNews |title=Homosexuality in Space! |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=August 29, 1993 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref> This particular plot thread eventually led to one of the most discussed editing choices in the show's history. A kiss between the two women during the second season was edited in such a way that it was strongly suggestive, but not a definitive kiss.

Religion played a large role in ''Babylon 5'', and yet in many of his postings, Straczynski discussed his [[atheism]]. During the first season, he commented that

{{quote|religion [...] has always been present. And it will be present 200 years from now. That may not thrill me, but when one is a writer, one must deal with realities, and that's one of them. To totally ignore that part of the human equation would be as false and wrong-headed as ignoring the fact that people get mad, or passionate, or strive for better lives. [...] In the Babylon 5 universe, all the things that make us human—our obsessions, our interests, our language, our culture, our flaws and our wonderfulnesses—are all still intact.<ref name="jmsnews 1-15162">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=20161 |website=JMSNews |title=Religion in B5 |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=September 9, 1993 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref>}}

In addition to his discussion of the show itself, Straczynski often fielded questions related to the writing process in general or regarding the business side of ''Babylon 5''.<ref name="jmsnews 1-11656">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=12213 |website=JMSNews |title=Re: Attn JMS: Writing questions |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=May 31, 1996 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref> Many posters asked about topics such as the demands of writing for a series, and how to break into the industry.

As the seasons progressed, [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] were a frequent topic because of the concern surrounding seasonal renewal of the show.<ref name="jmsnews 1-11659">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=12192 |website=JMSNews |title=Re: Attn JMS: B5 Demos Was: JMS on CompuServe... |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=June 1, 1996 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref> For similar reasons, awards such as [[Emmy]]s that the show received were also discussed on a regular basis.<ref name="jmsnews 1-12953">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=15759 |website=JMSNews |title=Question on Emmys |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=July 7, 1995 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref>

Departures from the show were often highly emotional topics for the fans, and for Straczynski. The three primary departures which sparked the most commentary were those of [[Michael O'Hare]] (between seasons 1 and 2), [[Andrea Thompson]] (mid-season 2) and [[Claudia Christian]] (between seasons 4 and 5). These departures were also a great source of speculation which ignited strong responses from Straczynski.<ref name="jmsnews Claudia">{{cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/Messages/Thread?threadid=_Claudia%20Opts%20Out-JMS&messageid=8858 |website=JMSNews |title=Claudia Opts Out-JMS |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=July 22, 1997 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref> Straczynski shared information regarding the death of [[Richard Biggs]]<ref name="CNN Richard Biggs Dies">{{cite news |title='Babylon 5' actor dies: Richard Biggs played Dr. Stephen Franklin on sci-fi series |website=[[CNN]] |date=May 25, 2004 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/25/obit.biggs/ |accessdate=July 27, 2008}}</ref><ref name="BBC Richard Biggs Dies">{{cite news |title=Richard Biggs dies: Babylon 5's Dr Stephen Franklin dies aged only 44 |website=[[BBC News]] |date=May 25, 2004 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/cult/news/cult/2004/05/25/11360.shtml |accessdate=July 27, 2008}} {{dead link|date=May 2019}}</ref><ref name="jmsnews 1-17099">{{cite web |url=http://jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=4288 |website=JMSNews |title=Today We Lost Richard Biggs |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=May 22, 2004 |accessdate=July 27, 2008}}</ref> and [[Andreas Katsulas]].<ref name="jmsnews 1-17526">{{cite web |url=http://jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=3872 |website=JMSNews |title=Andreas Katsulas is gone |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=January 15, 2006 |accessdate=July 27, 2008}}</ref>

Details of production and business choices to which fans are not always privy were often shared. Some examples include:
* The pre-filming of the last episode of the series during season 4, in case of cancellation.<ref name="jmsnews 1-2847">{{cite web |url=http://jmsnews.com/messages/message?id=9221 |website=JMSNews |title=How will this play out |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=May 27, 1997 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref>
* The cancellation of ''[[Crusade (TV series)|Crusade]]'' and the notes process with [[Turner Network Television|TNT]] that led up to it.<ref name="jmsnews 1-709">{{cite web |url=http://jmsnews.com/Messages/Thread?threadid=_ATTN%20JMS:%20*sigh*%20a%20quick%20Question&messageid=6148 |website=JMSNews |title=ATTN JMS: *sigh* a quick Question |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |date=October 27, 1999 |accessdate=July 29, 2008}}</ref>
* Negotiations to make a ''Babylon 5'' film (Note: these were suspended after Richard Biggs' death.)<ref name="BBC Richard Biggs Dies"/>
* The start of production of the ''Babylon 5: The Lost Tales'' direct to DVD.<ref name="AICN: Lost Tales">{{cite web |title=Sheridan, Lochley, Galen, And More!! 'Babylon 5: The Lost Tales' Begins Production!! |website=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=November 13, 2006 |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/30689 |accessdate=July 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308014836/http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/30689 |archive-date=March 8, 2007}}</ref>
* Announcement that he would adapt [[E.E. Doc Smith]]'s [[Lensman series]] for [[Ron Howard]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Tyler |first=Josh |title=Straczynski Adapting E.E. Doc Smith's Lensman For Ron Howard |website=Cinema Blend|date=January 15, 2008 |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Straczynski-Adapting-E-E-Doc-Smith-s-Lensman-For-Ron-Howard-7474.html |accessdate=July 31, 2008}}</ref>
* Announcement that the only continuation of the ''Babylon 5'' series will be as a feature film.<ref name="Trekweb 2008_0715">{{cite web |last=Gustavo |first=Leao |title=J. Michael Straczynski Says Babylon 5 Will only Return as a Feature Film |website=TrekWeb |date=July 15, 2008 |url=http://trekweb.com/articles/2008/07/15/J-Michael-Straczynski-Says-Babylon-5-Will-only-Return-as-a-Feature-Film.shtml |accessdate=July 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809171646/http://trekweb.com:80/articles/2008/07/15/J-Michael-Straczynski-Says-Babylon-5-Will-only-Return-as-a-Feature-Film.shtml |archive-date=August 9, 2008}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Internet|Television}}
* [[Babylon 5's use of the Internet]]
* ''[[The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [news://rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated] on USENET
* [http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated?gvc=2 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated] via [[Google Groups]]
* [http://hometown.aol.com/rastb5mod/ rastb5mod's web home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105024113/http://hometown.aol.com/rastb5mod/ |date=2007-11-05 }} with [[FAQ]]s, copies of the RFDs, contacts, and posting policies
* [http://www.jmsnews.com The JMSNews.com] archive of Straczynski's posts to Usenet, GEnie, Compuserve and [[AOL]]

{{Babylon 5}}
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[[Category:Babylon 5]]
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