One sweeping generalisation my experiences of 2008 have helped me to make is that forums provide heat whilst communities provide light.
By forum, I mean that trusty bulletin-board style discussion space we know and love. Well, maybe the L-word is a bit too strong. By community (and I’m talking online here), I mean a bunch of people sharing a similar interest or approach. Communities can exist in forum software, but they are also increasingly found on social networking sites.
In been a member of two forums this year, two communities and one thing that possibly has a foot in each camp. I don’t think I’m on to anything new here, but forums seem inherently designed for conflict. Forums are full of people defending points of view, or attacking other points of view. Forums I’ve particularly come to fear and loathe are those where people are discussing politics or religion. In meatspace, a broad range of people is generally a great thing. But that’s because being face to face with others reminds us that we’re discussing the issue with another human being. Take away the personal contact, and all hell commonly breaks loose. The object of the exercise becomes to discredit, not to understand.
This is where you need community. A true community is a place where people seek understanding first. It is not something you can easily make, and you can easily damage it if you do not care about others in it.
I don’t think there is an easy way to engineer a community. I think that if the proposition for a group is that of giving and receiving help, a community is likely to form—given time. Conversely, if the proposition is simply discussion, I think the group will soon attract those who enjoy argument and self-aggrandisement.
In fairness, I put my hand up and admit I have been a guilty party in several forum conflicts in 2008. But I’ve also benefited beyond measure from at least one of the two communities of which I’m a member. And so I plead: ask me for help, don’t ask me what I think!
