Matt Colville's Community

[Zaukrie]

It is useful and I've used it to mute the toxic people on all sides here. But that also means that newbies wander in, get jumped by those folks, and fewer people can see what's going on and report it to the moderators.

There are a number of threads where I see replies w/o quotes, and the page is like 4 replies long......it isn't just new people, but yes, that is an issue.

 

[SteveC]

It is useful and I've used it to mute the toxic people on all sides here. But that also means that newbies wander in, get jumped by those folks, and fewer people can see what's going on and report it to the moderators.

You're making a really good point here. When I see new people here, I try and be as friendly as I can but when I see them getting jumped it makes me reconsider some of my own ignore choices. Something to think about. I have said this many times before: I don't envy mods having to deal with some of the arguments that have been going on for over a decade in some cases.

 

[Umbran]

And maybe it doesn't. Wow, vacuous platitudes are both fun and easy, and since they communicate no information, no one can be offended by them! No wonder we prefer them to saying anything meaningful at all.

Now, ask yourself - what does being snarky get you at this point? And everyone else can ask themselves, "What is A_Carrington going to get out of being snarky at this point""

I mean, aside from the side eye from the moderator you're being snarky at. That's a given.

Anyone who has watched the video now has Mr. Colville's admonitions about not being a wanker (his words, not mine), and moderating wankers out of your communities, and how being a wanker doesn't actually get folks to listen to you, ringing in their heads. Perhaps their wisdom is now made a bit more obvious for the living example.

 

[Staffan]

Not all discussion has to be about changing other people's minds!

See, that's where you're wrong, and now I'm going to tell you why...

The sad part is that reach and marketing are far more important than quality when it comes to sales. You can make the best thing in the world, but if nobody knows about you can't sell it (and vice versa).

I was very lucky that my little publishing company got a reach boost from being associated with this site. Not big leagues reach, not compared to the big YouTubers or the large corporations, but enough of one that made a real difference. Not everybody has that starting advantage, unfortunately.

That is, I think, the core of the video. There's a whole lot about how to maintain that community, but the core is "If you want to sell something, make sure you have a community to sell to."

 

[Morrus]

That is, I think, the core of the video. There's a whole lot about how to maintain that community, but the core is "If you want to sell something, make sure you have a community to sell to."

Or a massive marketing budget. Either/or. Or both!

 

[Umbran]

OK, so what's the answer?

There isn't a singular, simple answer available to us. I mean, if there was, we'd have already deployed it, and it would be answered, and no longer a problem, right? So, the fact that it happens tells us we don't have an answer.

So, maybe a different question is in order. And not, that's not empty aphorism. It may be that what answers may be found require we ask different sorts of questions.

 

[Umbran]

Or a massive marketing budget. Either/or. Or both!

He's kind of talking about how to spend a budget of time and personal effort, instead of money.

 

[Umbran]

As I read Colville, he would say "do not take part in that type of thread but post away on the pineapple one, because then the community will like you". Which makes sense if you are trying to sell something.

Well, yes and no.

Yes, he is selling something, and that does inform much of the video (which I have watched - other than the pricing stuff, which I skipped and is probably not relevant to this conversation. And it means that some of what he says isn't relevant to most of us, or ought to be modified.

What he's saying is, in his words, "Don't be a wanker." Wheaton's Law, basically.

Now if, "that type of thread," is one in which you have to be a wanker to take part... then yeah, he's saying don't do that.

 

[Staffan]

Well, yes and no.

Yes, he is selling something, and that does inform much of the video (which I have watched - other than the pricing stuff, which I skipped and is probably not relevant to this conversation. And it means that some of what he says isn't relevant to most of us, or ought to be modified.

What he's saying is, in his words, "Don't be a wanker." Wheaton's Law, basically.

Now if, "that type of thread," is one in which you have to be a wanker to take part... then yeah, he's saying don't do that.

Also, at later stages, do not allow people to be wankers on your behalf.

 

[The Firebird]

Well, yes and no.

Yes, he is selling something, and that does inform much of the video (which I have watched - other than the pricing stuff, which I skipped and is probably not relevant to this conversation. And it means that some of what he says isn't relevant to most of us, or ought to be modified.

What he's saying is, in his words, "Don't be a wanker." Wheaton's Law, basically.

Now if, "that type of thread," is one in which you have to be a wanker to take part... then yeah, he's saying don't do that.

I suppose it depends who you're talking to. Some folks have pretty strenuous disagreements without feeling either party is rude. Some prefer more positive discussion. I've seen my fair share of comments that were meant as light hearted (but not positive) that came off to me as rude.

If you're really hoping to avoid this, best practice seems to be to avoid anything that could be read the wrong way. Not quite "talk less, smile more"...but smile more while you talk.

I don't think taking part in a more argumentative discussion makes you a "wanker". But it can come across that way to some people.