12-06-2005 07:30
The Law Society is NOT here to try to make law or enforce law.

It is about observing how laws and law-like behavior evolves in SL, and requesting comments that bring out greater understanding. Learning from the application and emergence of the rule of law in SL, without attempting to influence the outcome. Yet, recognizing that any observation of a phenomenon necessarily has some influence on it (Heisenberg).

Our members are called Observers. We encourage discussion through Requests for Comment (RFC), which emphasize our respect for the opinions and knowledge of others and our desire to understand. We will insist on civil discussions that respect the views of all contributors.

Who should join Law Society:
-- Students of law, economics, business and government.
-- Landowners, entrepreneurs, developers, contractors and merchants.
-- Artists, advocates, mediators, societal organizers, visionaries and consumers

What Law Society will NOT be:
-- A place or tool for you to vent or to advance your personal agenda.
-- A political society that takes sides in disputes or endorses individuals.
-- A vendor of advice, advocacy or dispute resolution services.

What Law Society WILL be:
-- A research group to observe and study Second Life's developing systems of self-government, contracting and dispute resolution.
-- A forum for respectful exchange of information and informed opinion.
-- A research database of examples of agreements, commercial instruments and case studies about problems and solutions.

Discussions will be moderated for consistency with the above goals.

Enrollment is open; search Groups for Law Society to join. The initiation fee is presently L$250, proceeds of which will be regularly accounted for and held in trust by the Moderator for the purposes of the Law Society. Changes in Law Society fees and the handling of its funds in trust may be proposed and discussed by the Observers.
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Frank Lardner

* Join the "Law Society of Second Life" -- dedicated to the objective study and discussion of SL ways of governance, contracting and dispute resolution. *
Group Forum at: this link.