First of all, I'm kind of in love with
@Lichtsang 70's Fox Logo
Secondly, I wrote this back as some advice for the Famiboards opening, but I hope it proves useful and encouraging for you all as well.
1.
Continue to form your foundation on a culture that unites, instead on one that endlessly divides. This new forum (along with Famiboards) is the inevitable destiny of ResetEra’s cultural foundation: that what divides us ultimately takes precedence over that what unites us. Think about it: you’re more likely to hear about the (for lack of a better word) “tribes” of ResetEra (TransEra, AsianEra, PoliticalEra, NintendoEra, SalesEra, XboxEra, etc. etc. ad infinitum) than you are to hear about what brought us all there in the first place. It’s natural that we seek out people more like us (whether it be interest, identity, beliefs, or anything else). It happens. It's happening here! As those people coalesce, unique subcultures emerge. Those subcultures will continue to become unique and distinct from one another. This is not necessarily a bad thing (in fact, many great things, niches, ideas, etc. grow out of such subcultures)! But if there is no greater foundation that unites a community, then inevitably you will see growing separation over time. This new site of yours already has a great focus and connective tissue: A focus on sales and evidence based data. Remember that despite all the wonderful intricacies and complexities that make us unique, there is still an underlying bond of connection that pulls us together. No matter where we come from, what language we speak, what beliefs we hold outside of InstallBase. Focus on that bond. Focus on content that unites us.
2.
Let moderation come from a place of community building, and not top-down enforcement. Moderation is tough. I was a head mod on a prominent video game site ages ago, and the hardest thing was finding that balance between the blind, cold enforcement (because equality under the rules is a good thing! Fairness and consistency are incredibly important for long term forum health.) and knowing the intricacies and context within the communities (See: what just happened in MediaCreate at ResetEra). A failure of one is the failure of all, and it’s a thin tightrope to walk. My advice is to lean on the community, and that constant communication is key. If your mod team is not actively participating within the community, then you are in danger of becoming disassociated, separate, and blind to the complexities, nuances, and cultures different from yours (ingroup bias). On the other hand, if your mods are too involved and stagnant within their particular community (let’s say: a mod is chosen directly to participate within Sales threads), then they are in danger of creating outgroup biases: mistrust and suspicion of anyone entering a set boundary. You need to have constant communication, both as a mod team
and from a mod to community to make sure that our blind spots (and we all have them) are properly covered. It’s a position that’s certainly no enviable, but necessary!
3.
Openness is usually a better alternative than the opposite. The great irony of ResetEra is that despite being a self-described paragon of progressive enlightenment, they were one of the least liberal forums I’ve ever participated in. I do not mean liberal as in the political persuasion, but liberal as in the cultural position of “a willingness to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.” Of course, certain boundaries must be drawn. How we treat other human beings is paramount to a foundation of interpersonal connection. As is a foundation of how we philosophically see people: are they reasonable, rational, and of inherent value? If so, certain bars must be raised and cannot be negotiated with. But beyond that, my hope is that you come from a place of humility in that we as individuals cannot know everything, and we perhaps can learn a great deal from someone else (just as those people can learn a great deal from us!). But that comes from an openness to listen, an openness to challenge our own values and beliefs, and an openness to value perspectives, opinions, and positions not our own (as long as they are in good faith). That is the basis of communication and conversation: that things can be learned, answers can be achieved, and understanding can be had among one another. There's a trust and vulnerability that makes such pluralism risky sometimes, but the results are a truly diverse, trusting, and interconnected community.
4.
So just what is your culture? Having a linear focus (Sales and Data) gives you a golden opportunity to forge ahead with a clear, understandable, and executable foundation that flows into site culture. You already have a great pinned OT that enforces this foundation: Sourcing an argument. What is it that you truly believe here? What ideals truly act as the connective tissue within Installbase? Something like...
- That truth/fact/reality is able to be sought out.
- That people, regardless of their position, background, or status, are inherently rational and capable.
- If both are true, then we as the latter can search for the former with evidence, critical thinking, sourcing, context, and good faith.
- The result is holistic knowledge, greater understanding, applicable methodology, and continued progress.
Don't settle for anything less. The work you put in is worth it. The time you put in is worth it. The relationships and bonds you forge are worth it. Keep up it, continue moving forward, and stay awesome. *hearty thumbs up*