Meanwhile, even in this thread, baiting continues in subtle or not so subtle forms in a couple of posts. I agree with those who reason that using the ignore button isn’t a solution but I’m not so sure either that mods should be elected which could lead to even more disputes over ‘cliques’.
This forum needs moderators who can be impartial and when I read some posters stating to those who ask that ‘we self moderate’ it makes me angry. The events of the last few days have shown that this patently isn’t working partly because of baiting which encourages even more outbursts. There are times when an official moderator is needed to intervene and so far, there has been no sign of one.
@Songbird-1, I've been trying to find an email address for GW that works, to no avail so far. Do you think you could initiate such a request if you have access please.
I've also been wondering if there is a misunderstanding of different ways of being human going on here...
Specifically, there are some subtle behavioral norms here, as in all communities, which are generally not stated clearly, but which operate powerfully, for example:
-Make your first few posts relatively humble
-Be open about what you don't know
-Avoid posting about things you don't know about
-Primarily only post advice arising from years of personal experience
-Don't share advice which you only have from other sources
-Name your sources
...to name a few
These kind of behavioural norms generally work well with how my brain works, but they don't work for how everybody's brains work.
I agree with @stephentame - it pays to be careful and not leap on people who want to join and don't adhere to unwritten, unsaid rules and courtesies. This is general, not about this case in question. People who are non-neurotypical or non-culturally-typical read group situations differently. It's a horrible thing to have a whole group turn on you because they don't like you, and much better to have outside admins handle the situation. I've been on both sides in my life - the pariah out of favour and at other times, the admin.
From my point of view it's amazing to me how coherent the forum seems to be, across the last few years at least. I don't read all the threads, but things seem to keep together and run very smoothly, with few insults. It's worth keeping in mind that this is a totally open site that can be read and joined by anyone in anywhere in the world. Forum posts turn up on Google searches and has a high international profile and web presence, with millons of hits a year. The whole world could be chiming in, but they are not.
Coversely, to me, this forum can feel like a pub space, with like minds sharing animated conversations, winding, chatty and warm. I think, for some regulars, it is valued for that. It might be worth musing on how hard some people find it to join an unknown group in the pub talking animatedly. The members are facing each other. They've obviously spent a lot of time together and enjoy their topics; this is their place; their happy place.
As I mentioned, this is a general observation, but as a community admin over the years, I'm always interested in how to invite new people into the pub; how to nurture the group's well-being and strength without blocking people who are non-typical. It's a perennial question; with no right answers, but good to keep in mind, I think.
Posts
Do you think you could initiate such a request if you have access please.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”