saikatdIt's easy to blame others for the toxicity. But those of us who moved here -- are we introspective about the mistakes we made inadvertently?
The unfortunate aspect of social media is that it isn't very social. It quickly descends into cliques or closed communities, where echo chambers thrive. There is no real egalitarianism, even though we claim to uphold it.
When we start recommending lists, people to follow, we end up building social capital that is inherently non egalitarian. It becomes an exercise of our privilege, or adding to the privilege of others. How is that egalitarian?
Isn't everyone equally good enough to follow? Should I arrogate the right to recommend others? Why can't I leave people to decide for themselves? And why can't they exercise their agency to discover new voices, new thoughts?
This inherent tribalism (is social media parochialism) is inherently toxic by nature. It ended up justifying all sorts of toxicity that we eventually witnessed on #birdsite. But we never thought to introspect. Instead, we brought the same habits here. The same privileges and the same inequalities.
So here's what I going to do differently here. I am going to follow more people. Hear new and more voices. Listen. And not recommend anyone. Everyone is good and if you need to follow or hear someone, you will find them. You don't need me.
adheeth🐘@Saikatd I feel it's still good to have closed communities. Say Harry Potter fans wouldn't want LOTR fans in a closed group where they share and discuss HP. It doesn't make the members less aware of the impact and the fan base that LOTR has. Everything doesn't have to be hostile. Members are still open to read more books and new HP fans. Its our troll experience on bird site that makes us feel closed communities shut off others voice.
@bull500 Of course. But if someone is not interested in Harry Potter, they would avoid the group anyway, wouldn't they? The idea is to build inclusivity by design.
@Saikatd yes they should be free to do so as well too. I don't follow HP as much as I do starwars but I'm still free to interact with HP members or join as well or even comment on posts on places like reddit. AFK I have friends as well engaged in both Fandoms.
Yes there are certain groups that are exclusive but it could be because of online/offline hate and abuse. These exists in non virtual life as well.
First is to provide a safe place to interact and slowly the change starts.
@bull500 I believe, building an inclusive community by design, will also make it inherently safe. The only way I will really know, is by being part of something that is inclusive.
@Saikatd if I'm not wrong democracy and a democratic country is something along those lines of design. Yet here we are, it'll take a long time for us all to be accepting of each other and engage constructively.