Posted by Dr. Bob on May 15, 2013, at 22:58:08
In reply to Re: feeling empowered, posted by Twinleaf on May 15, 2013, at 5:26:29
> I really don't feel disempowered about this situation with Lou. I feel that I do offer encouragement, and what knowledge I have to other posters - particularly new ones. I am concerned about people who never even begin posting because they are frightened away by the negative messages in Lou's posts.
What about the people who do begin posting because they're reassured by your encouragement and knowledge? Do you feel Lou has more power to frighten than you have to reassure?
> As moderator, you have power that we don't have: you can use the civility rules in an equal and fair way to ensure that Babble is welcoming for everyone. The way it is now, it is not welcoming and safe for newcomers either taking medications or planning to take them. Respectfully, Bob, you do have the power to make it both safe and welcoming here, if you choose to use it.
No community will feel welcoming and safe to everyone. Whenever members of the community express opinions, those who disagree may feel unwelcome and unsafe. There continue to be newcomers here, however, so they must feel welcome and safe enough.
I wonder if more newcomers would feel welcome and safe if fewer old-timers said Babble was unwelcoming and unsafe.
Hmm, negative messages about Babble might frighten away people like negative messages about medication. So that's another way in which you and Lou may have something in common.
Bob
a brilliant and reticent Web mastermind -- The New York Times
backpedals well -- PartlyCloudy
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:1042981
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20130109/msgs/1043727.html