Posted by Sad Panda on August 31, 2004, at 21:24:02
In reply to Message Board Community, posted by verne on August 31, 2004, at 14:16:05
> In light of the recent conflagration in the ecstasy thread, some observations:
>
> The danger with any community is that it tends to be exclusive and doesn't welcome newcomers. It starts out innocent enough but what goes as "support" for the community may be terribly unsupportive to a newcomer or an infrequent guest. A help-oriented community that embraces everyone wouldn't have a kind of hierarchy, or pecking order with a ruling old guard at the top. Once we start playing king of the hill, we lose sight of the community's purpose in the first place.
>
> When the "in-crowd" pats each other on the back, rallies in support of each other at the slightest perceived offense to one of the gang, even asks for donations (computer for a girlfriend), or petitions for the favored few, they are excluding those not in the group. Those not in the group, many already distressed and insecure, will feel even more worthless and outcast.
>
> The same thing happens in churches, in the workplace, or anywhere people gather. Kind of a "Lord of the Flies" syndrome where an "alpha" group will emerge and attempt to gain power. This form of domination can be very subtle. They may claim they are protecting the wider "community" but in reality it's more like a gang protecting its turf.
>
> I have to credit Dr. Bob for keeping this alpha-pack, "king of the hill" mentality in check. Every post should be treated equally. Equally valid, no matter how hazy the basis or how lacking in documentation. Like in AA - everyone is equally sober - only as long as they've been out of bed that day. Everyone, no matter what the qualifications, no matter how bad the grammar, no matter how inarticulate, should be made welcome - in fact, newcomers who are especially hurting and in need of answers, even more welcome.
>
> verne
>
>Hi Verne,
I typically only hang around the medication board & I don't perceive any hierarchy or exclusivity there. Some people seem to perceive Chemist as arrogant but nothing could be further from the truth. I find him to be an excellent source of information & he is very good at finding & posting actual scientific studies on such things.
Cheers,
Panda.
poster:Sad Panda
thread:384823
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040717/msgs/385032.html