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Nizzle · 02-03-2007, 01:57 AM

I ceased being active on this board some time ago. Mind you, I was never "important" (I quote this to draw attention to it, because it's important). Myself and my girlfriend frequented the site because it was active, exciting, and interesting. It was edgy. It was fun. I would like to direct you to something:

http://www.embarcgroup.com/content/e.../detail/q/id/2

The 1% rule. This should not be unknown to anyone who is serious about online communties. It's nothing new, but I think its impact is being ignored here. I was not in the 1%, I was more in the 10%. I wasn't important, but I contributed. The 1% drove me out. This is what happened to this community.

I think this was the ultimate failing of the TFP. In my case, it was over politics. Having liberal views *IS NOT ACCEPTABLE* on this board. Oh, you can argue with me, and I'm sure you will. But it is simply the case that the people with very conservative views (including many moderators) pushed us out. We were scum, and that was made very very very VERY clear. It was made very clear to me that I was not welcome here. This isn't up for debate. I had everyone against me, moderators, frequent posters, you name it. My views were not acceptable, period.

The problem? Not politics. It was giving too much power to people with chips on their shoulder and bones to pick. Giving too much power to those who used the active community to bolster their own point of view. I saw how that played out in a politics forum, but I believe the root cause probably manifested itself in many other ways. The simple fact was, if you weren't the 1%, you were not welcome. That drives your (more important) 10% out, and the 89% left drift away once the trainwreck plays itself out.

The bottom line is, when you are dealing with an online community, you are dealing with the 1% rule. The 1% who make the community, the 10% who tenously contribute, and the 89% who lurk. Don't give the 1% too much control or you will lose your (more valuable) 10%, and the 89% will leave on their own.

I don't know of any practical solutions. In fact, at this point I don't care. I load this forum once every 2-3 months out of boredom. At one time I did care and felt this was my online home, but I was alienated to maximum potential, so don't expect much from me but my opinion, be it unpopular or not.

Essentially? Just be aware that the most vocal will seem the majority, and it is safe and natural to give way to these people. If you pay enough attention to your community you will know who your 1% and your 10% are and know not to let the 1% dominate. If you fail to pay attention to this, you are in trouble. If you promote them all to high-level moderators, you are DOOMED.

02-03-2007, 01:57 AM	#17 (permalink)
Nizzle God-Hating Liberal Location: Silicon Valley, CA	I ceased being active on this board some time ago. Mind you, I was never "important" (I quote this to draw attention to it, because it's important). Myself and my girlfriend frequented the site because it was active, exciting, and interesting. It was edgy. It was fun. I would like to direct you to something: http://www.embarcgroup.com/content/e.../detail/q/id/2 The 1% rule. This should not be unknown to anyone who is serious about online communties. It's nothing new, but I think its impact is being ignored here. I was not in the 1%, I was more in the 10%. I wasn't important, but I contributed. The 1% drove me out. This is what happened to this community. I think this was the ultimate failing of the TFP. In my case, it was over politics. Having liberal views IS NOT ACCEPTABLE on this board. Oh, you can argue with me, and I'm sure you will. But it is simply the case that the people with very conservative views (including many moderators) pushed us out. We were scum, and that was made very very very VERY clear. It was made very clear to me that I was not welcome here. This isn't up for debate. I had everyone against me, moderators, frequent posters, you name it. My views were not acceptable, period. The problem? Not politics. It was giving too much power to people with chips on their shoulder and bones to pick. Giving too much power to those who used the active community to bolster their own point of view. I saw how that played out in a politics forum, but I believe the root cause probably manifested itself in many other ways. The simple fact was, if you weren't the 1%, you were not welcome. That drives your (more important) 10% out, and the 89% left drift away once the trainwreck plays itself out. The bottom line is, when you are dealing with an online community, you are dealing with the 1% rule. The 1% who make the community, the 10% who tenously contribute, and the 89% who lurk. Don't give the 1% too much control or you will lose your (more valuable) 10%, and the 89% will leave on their own. I don't know of any practical solutions. In fact, at this point I don't care. I load this forum once every 2-3 months out of boredom. At one time I did care and felt this was my online home, but I was alienated to maximum potential, so don't expect much from me but my opinion, be it unpopular or not. Essentially? Just be aware that the most vocal will seem the majority, and it is safe and natural to give way to these people. If you pay enough attention to your community you will know who your 1% and your 10% are and know not to let the 1% dominate. If you fail to pay attention to this, you are in trouble. If you promote them all to high-level moderators, you are DOOMED. __________________ Nizzle Last edited by Nizzle; 02-03-2007 at 02:46 AM..