Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5961377-20160223152724

When you think of a good community, you expect to see people who have fun and enjoy spending time with each other. From highly organized events to small talk on chat, any member of the wiki, new or old, should feel welcome and would look forward to visiting the site again. Since we live in the real world, ideals remain simply as ideals. As such, expectations will not always be met and disappointment becomes the result.

I don't feel that sense of warm friendliness anymore. I'm sure others don't, either. Recently, there has been drama, hostility, vitriol, disrespect, arguments, lack of courtesy, etc. Trust among community members has gone down, and small "inner rings" become apparent; these circles that consist of a few people who trust each other and regard everyone else with silence and suspicion. To those who receive this feeling of alienation, it may be interpreted as an unfavorable environment. They feel out of place, out of line, outcast, exiled; an outsider that is not welcome -- completely contrary to what the community claims. Their chances of staying are not very high, indeed.

Where am I going with this? Everyone should feel welcome, whether veteran or newbie. But that cannot happen when nothing changes.

A general lack of trust gives way to bitterness. In turn, this gives birth to other nasty thoughts and assumptions - fueling the animosity that seems to pervade the atmosphere of chat at times. These wait quietly under the surface, and when provoked or allowed to fester long enough, break out in various hurtful ways. Words and sometimes insults are exchanged with increasing intensity, until it devolves to attacking character, interests, motives, etc. That kind of incident does not make it easy to maintain user relations. Sometimes they are severed completely. Burning bridges.

Being in those kinds of arguments myself, it's really hard to reconcile with others afterwards. Some don't even want to. It's very frustrating. I regret many things that I've said, but some seem to be completely fine with such harmful verbiage thrown at others; as if nothing wrong was committed. This contributes to the hostile aura in the community.

A user mentioned that we seemed to be in the Wiki "Dark Ages." It seems like the bad memories and bad moods latch on to the users, increasing stress and frustration until they realize they don't have to stay.

I want to fix this. I want to change everything, away from this bad image we have constructed. Cut down on the enmity and start rebuilding trust again. Promote forgiveness, reconciliation, and good vibes. Make it enjoyable for anyone who comes around. Be a warm, inviting, friendly community.

But I can't do it alone. I need your help.

What do you think we can do to bring the fun back? What can we do to get rid of the anger and bitterness? How do we get along again? What are your thoughts on the state of the wiki community?

Please share your thoughts and opinions below. I'd also like for you, the reader, as much as possible, to give the community, your fellow users, and yourself, an honest accounting. Anything on your chest or whatever beef you have with someone, bring it up here with the intent of resolving it. This is NOT for you to call out, deride, or spurn someone.

Be gentle. Be considerate. Be respectful.

I really would like to hear what you have to say. Let's get on the first step to improvement. The darkest hour comes before the dawn.

15:27, February 23, 2016 (UTC) 