Brad T Humphreys wrote:[Tangentially related Latin Quote: Semper ubi sub ubi]
So why do I come here periodically? I think calling gawking at a accident metaphor that I hear is too much of a simplification.... it's more of a social science experiment gone awry.
Mr. OBryan had an interesting hypothesis that if people were required to use their real names, they would engage themselves in the decorum of adults with good debate and discourse. Seems like a reasonable hypothesis. And I think he was correct, most do (and want to limit themselves to adult interactions) - especially in this day and age of online associations being a google search away.
But what makes this an interesting social experiment gone awry, is what happens when your hypothesis is true, BUT the outcome of the experiment is counter what you expected. Say 95% (number just for sake of demonstrating a large majority) do follow the hypothesis. But to 5%, the hypothesis does not hold, BUT it those outliers that determines the outcome of the experiment?
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[Quotes.com - blah blah blah blah]
Brad
I would say you have nailed it, but as you point out an over simplification.
We, about 15 of us, looked at everything that had gone wrong in the city in the past when it came to the media and social media.
About 9 of us set forth this idea, with the concept of accountability, and as you put it, "online associations being a google search away."
Our thought was, we will let individuals define themselves, by their words and actions. It works very well as is being proven everyday.
I would say the question is, What does the city need now, that we have seen this erode into whatever it is right now, but still very reflective of the community.
I would also say one of the many things we have said from day one, most sites are working to suck you in, make you sit on their website and digest their BS. We had always hoped that this would become, as you put it, a place to stop by and check in on what is going on, with the residents of the community. The Observer project has no interest in serving koolaid, making you part of "the team," any of that.
Which again is one of the best parts of Observing the Deck. Most project from their own lives, and the way they do things.
It is all very telling, about the community.
Thanks for the post, and the occasional checking in.
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