I’m delighted to announce the formation of three new OList e-mail lists: OProducers, OShooters, and OGardeners. Posting on these new lists is subject to the usual requirements, but non-Objectivist lurkers are welcome. These lists will be gathering subscribers for the next few days. They’ll open for introductions and discussions on Tuesday, April 6th.

• OProducers: OProducers is an e-mail list for Objectivists and others committed to improving their habits of productivity in their careers, projects, and other pursuits. Its purpose is to facilitate discussion and information-sharing amongst Objectivists about practical methods for better management of time, projects, money, people, and other resources. Non-Objectivist lurkers are welcome. It is managed by Tod of Optimal Living.

• OShooters: OShooters is an e-mail list for Objectivists and others enthused about firearms and committed to gun rights. Its basic purpose is to facilitate discussion and information-sharing amongst Objectivists about firearm models, shooting techniques, gun ranges, gun laws, and the like. Non-Objectivist lurkers are welcome. It is managed by Santiago Valenzuela.
• OGardeners: OGardeners is an informal e-mail list for Objectivists and others interested in gardening and landscaping. Its purpose is to facilitate discussion and information-sharing amongst Objectivists about the cultivation of flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Non-Objectivist lurkers are welcome. It is managed by Kelly Elmore of Reepicheep’s Coracle.

Asa reminder, here are the other five OList e-mail lists:

• OActivists: OActivists is an e-mail list for Objectivists committed to fostering positive cultural and political change. Its purpose is to encourage and assist effective advocacy of Objectivist ideas in non-Objectivist forums by facilitating communication between Objectivist activists. Membership is limited to Objectivist activists. It is managed by Tammy Perkins.

• OBloggers: OBloggers is an e-mail list for Objectivist bloggers. Its purpose is to facilitate communication about matters of mutual interest, such as upcoming events, blogworthy links, posts of interest, blog promotion, and best blogging practices. Membership is limited to Objectivist bloggers. It is managed by Kate Gerber of CareerMama.
• OGrownups: OGrownups is an informal e-mail list for for Objectivists and others interested in raising and educating children well. Its basic purpose is to facilitate discussion amongst Objectivists about child development, discipline techniques, education methods, parenting resources, and more. Non-Objectivist lurkers are welcome. It is managed by Jenn Casey of Rational Jenn and C. August of Titanic Deck Chairs.
• OEvolve: OEvolve is an informal e-mail list for Objectivists and others interested in the proper application of evolutionary principles to diet, fitness, and health. Its basic purpose is to facilitate discussion and information-sharing amongst Objectivists about the practical sciences of cooking, nutrition, fitness, health, and more. Non-Objectivist lurkers are welcome. It is managed by Monica Hughes of Ancestral Generation.
• OAcademics: OAcademics is an e-mail list for Objectivist academics to discuss teaching, research, coursework, dissertations, job prospects, publication, and all other aspects of life in (or after) academia. Membership is limited to Objectivist academics. It is managed by Diana Hsieh of NoodleFood.

These OList e-mail lists are different from most discussion lists. How so?

• First, all posters on these lists share values in common — not just the principles of Objectivism but also certain optional values. That makes possible more focused, fruitful, and friendly discussion.

• Second, the topics open to discussion on the list are limited by the purpose of the list. People are not permitted to run wild, writing on whatever strikes their fancy.
• Third and most importantly, the basic goal of the lists is the friendly sharing of useful information to enhance our lives and further our goals. Contentious debate about abstract matters of little practical value is not welcome.

That’s why these OLists have been so successful, I think.

Notably, I’m willing to create other OList e-mail lists on that model, provided that (1) the list seems viable to me and (2) some reliable person is willing to manage the list. I won’t be creating any new lists for a few months, but if you’d like your list to get into the queue, drop me an e-mail.

Update: Here’s my favorite tweet ever, courtesy of @samrolken: “@DianaHsieh has done for the capital letter O what Steve Jobs did for the lower-case letter I.”