#Online Community

[con9103]

Hi I have created this survey based on the SCI-1 modified for online communities to work out does the Dan and Phil fandom meet the requirements to be considered a community in its own right.

I'm studying the fandom for my dissertation and this would be really helpful information to gain <3

I will share the results when there's enough responses *hopefully*

! anyone can answer it's anonymous and not age restricted !

[lightasthesun]

I think something that's often fundamentally misunderstood is teens and young adults appearing to always be on their phones.

It's not necessarily laziness or whatever other negative trait it has been connected to. For many people it's a safe place. The one safe place they have. It's where you go to seek refuge from your natural environment. Especially for neurodivergents, queers, victims of abuse and bullying, and people with disabilities.

You make friends and build your own community, you make memories, you share art, you share life experiences with like-minded people that may be in similar situations and you feel understood. You feel accepted and not judged. You feel loved.

Real life is rough and can be painful but our smartphones offer a different door for us. A door that leads to fandom, to music, to art, to passion and refuge.

So yes of course you choose to spend a majority of your time on your smartphone. Of course you would choose to feel safe and loved. Of course.

It's dry of judgement, it's filled with the warmth of a community that accepts you as you are, it fills your tummy with joy, with thrill, with excitement and love and it provides a safe haven like a roof over your head.

Of course this is where you want to be.

It's home.

[myfandomrealitea]

That discord server post made me remember the stark difference between Serverstuck (a minor populated server) and Degrees of Lewdity (strict adult-only server)

Serverstuck has the worst mods and owner I've seen because they're all Antis and abuse the rules by excusing anyone who are close to them & punishing others who are strangers, lying to people on why some got banned, and allowed sensitive political topic go unregulated

Degrees of Lewdity, despite filled with people who has crude & cursed-level sense of humor, has strict mods & owner, write the correct information on why some people are banned or muted (they even allow users to request to be ban from the server for mental health reasons), and immediately shut down any conversation of sensitive political topics that cause infighting between members

I feel safer in a server for an adult game development than a "minor friendly" homestuck rp server

While I do welcome servers that have a mixed age range, I don't think I've ever or will ever join a server moderated or owned by someone who is either/both an anti or a minor.

To run or moderate a server you need to be impartial, objective, socially aware, able to appropriately manage conflict and relatively socially seasoned. I've personally found most minors often lack or are incapable of most if not all of these qualities.

(And that's not me hating on minors or calling them ignorant. Some of those qualities are just things you learn or develop with age and time. Some adults never learn them at all, even, but they are qualities you need if you're going to, essentially, be in charge of other people.)

Sephiroth's Server Safety Tips

Always do a thorough check into who is advertising the server, who owns the server, and other members before joining a server where possible.

Once you've joined the server, immediately use the search function to look for key words related to topics you want to avoid, possible past conflict, bullying, ect.

Immediately check the server rules. Its a red flag in itself if the server doesn't have any. Also, 'just be nice' is not a rule. Servers should have clear, clean cut rules and regulations.

Don't be afraid to message server owners, moderators or users privately and ask questions. They shouldn't get offended and if they can't or won't answer questions about basic rules, server safety protocols, ect, you should reconsider joining.

Don't be afraid to ask around other people to see if the server is known or has a reputation, either. If a server is based on a specific fandom, for example, search through that fandom for any past mentions of the server or ask other fans if they've heard of it.

[virtualpopstarenglish]

Its raffle time! Remember to join under the correct gender your account is ✨

[grasponreality]

it doesn't matter what people in the "fandom" think - keep doing whatever the fuck you want

they say your fan art is cringe? it doesn't matter

they don't think you should be writing THAT type of fanfiction? it doesn't matter

they have some sort of moral objection to a ship you like or a personal head cannon or something else you enjoy? it doesn't fucking matter

just do whatever you want

don't bother having tedious "discourse" about it, don't bother trying to justify yourself to anyone, and don't get stressed out over strangers on the internet who want to police the way you interact with your favorite media.

I say this as an old woman who has used Tumblr on-and-off for the past 10+ years. None of it matters. The petty arguments, the rules and guidelines they try to impose on you, the self-righteous call-out posts about innocuous bullshit - tune it all out. it doesn't matter, it never mattered, and it never will.

[caw4brandon]

The City of Durarara!!

Imagine, you are a newbie who just got an opportunity to attend a new school in a new city. A fresh start in a new chapter of your life but, you are still the same old you.

There are no familiar faces here. You just showed up via the bus or the train, carrying your heavy suitcase. Stumbling about and trying your best to follow the flow of the crowd to your new home. You live in an age where yes, you have a phone to check everything but the place is much more complex than you thought.

Hence, you are very, very, lost.

That is Mikado Ryūgamine's first day in the bustling city of Ikebukuro and the subject for today. The show famously known to have 15 (give or take) main characters co-existing in a space. Developing their own stories while another story unfolds in the back.

- I Love Humans! -

< Durarara!!/ DRRR!! > by Ryōgo Narita; Follows a cast of ordinary characters who reside in Ikebukuro. A lively city known for its nightlife and as a hub for all things Otaku-related. The city is currently a home for our main character; Mikado who just moved in and is about to attend a new school with his childhood best friend; Masaomi Kida.

Elsewhere, we follow a mysterious and non-verbal biker lady who just rescued Rio Kamichika from a kidnapping. Taking her to a secluded building rooftop to "end things".

Somewhere else, Shizuo Heiwajima is throwing a fit at a random man who owes him money. Causing a scene by throwing a venting machine into the sky. Scaring the pedestrians. This, is < DRRR > in just a few minutes. A large mix of events happening all at once at separate parts of the city.

As Kida guides Mikado, he provides some exposition of what's been going on in Ikebukuro. Mentioning that there has been a new gang in town right after the city survived another previously. Kida runs into some of his friends; Kyouhei Kadota, Walker Yumasaki, Erika Karisawa, and Saburo Togusa.

Meanwhile, Rio got to the roof and encountered her online friend; Nakura whom she contacted to make a suicide pact. But it was revealed that her kidnaping was a ploy by Izaya Orihara who wanted nothing more but to mess with her. Rounding up, Kida and Mikado witnessed a famous city urban legend. The mysterious biker lady called; The Headless Rider.

-We are...Dollars! -

Several key pieces are driving the plot for < Durarara > forward. Firstly, we have the everyday life of Kida and Mikado. School students in Raira Academy with their new best friend; Anri Sonohara who has secrets of her own.

Next, we have the questionable love story of the Headless Rider; Celty Sturluson. An odd-job transporter with her partner; Shinra Kishitani an underground doctor. Both are on a quest to find Celty's missing head.

Then, we have the ongoing gang wars that Kida mentioned. Since a new gang; The Dollars started showing up. The further we follow our characters, the deeper the relations go to the point where you need a chart for who is who. Yet, the show is rather comprehensive.

< DRRR > is actually a story about no one and everyone. It takes place in a location where everyone has a story. No matter if you are interested in the gang war, a twisted love story between certain characters or the simpleton life of the Van gang.

Perhaps you like a good ole beatdown action, or maybe. You like something a little bit supernatural regarding several slasher cases. There is something for everyone and while some of the parts may not interest you as much. The threads eventually cross paths. Leading to a big Crescendo~

- The World isn't as Cruel -

One of the most consistent themes seen in all of < Durarara > is the theme of making connections. As the audience, we get to see the characters being much closer than they make it out to be.

In a chatgroup. The characters take on differing identities and exchange information to help one another. Not realizing that they chatted about it a while ago. Perhaps the most encouraging thing about the show is how it uses the word "gang".

To join a gang often comes from a desire to find a sense of belonging. As mentioned, The Dollars are a new gang but the peculiar fact is, they are a colourless and leaderless gang. Sure, factions among them can exist. But no one has the power to control each other. Anyways, the gang is often seen to have done both good and bad to their respective communities.

Ikebukuro is crowded with countless activities going on in the light and in the dark. How our characters react to it determines the outcome. Despite the show has already declared itself as ended.

I personally think it's not a definitive end. Because the ending is not the point. < Durarara > is a show about people and how people deal with complex situations in their daily lives both personally and externally as a community. Perhaps its also a good display of how we are more interested the lives of someone else rather than our own.

To wrap this up, I just want to say that this show displayed the true power of an online community. It's a stroke of genius on the power we have as a collective to make change to our communities. That is what < Durarara > is about!

[praxis-app]

Outreach Series Kick-Off

We're having our first session and Kickoff for Outreach in the Discord server for all those who are interested in attending.

The topic up for discussion is inter-generational and intra-generational differences; how we may be able to bridge the gap between us. It will be a live event — however we are recording it and transcribing it for the community to access at their own pace.

Feel free to join the server and attend the event we'll be hosting tonight at 9pm EST via Discord Stages. All server members are welcome to attend.

Invite link to the Praxis Discord

[sucka99]

[alittleannihilati0n]

Thinking about how abysmal the state of online community is because of how absolutely no room is made for uncertainty. And that's true across communities and opinions and political groups and fandoms and on and on. Of course there's no community, no real movement surges, because our biggest tool for communication is almost completely blocked from being useful because everyone who wants to care about anything out loud is both terrified of being attacked and ready to tear apart anyone who says or thinks or feels something they think is wrong. Doesn't matter if they've done real concrete good on a much larger scale than any harm from them saying something wrong, doesn't matter if what they did/said was a long time ago and they've clearly changed, doesn't matter if they're clearly coming from a good place, doesn't matter if it's obvious they're being reactionary because they're understandable hurting, doesn't matter if they're trying to learn and correct themselves because if it's not self-flaggellating and perfect and immediate and a no-nuance, no confusion 180º turn, it's not good enough. And if it's not 100% good enough, there's no almosts any which way, they're just evil and irredeemable and so is anyone who associates with them at all, regardless of if or how much of what the person said/did they agree with. How in the world does anyone think that's going to allow for any kind of change, growth, hope, happiness, or progress for anyone and anything? It's not practical or sustainable or constuctive, and it sucks so much that it's so overwhelmingly everpresent and universal.

[virtualpopstarenglish]

This month's raffle is here! Instructions on how to join in pic^^

[airbuzz2007]

https://discord.gg/MGT7t3hmc5

hello!! i don't really know what to put here for now, but here's a server centered around osmosis jones/ozzy and drix for all osmosis jones fans! We're fairly lenient and we're We're a space accepting of -LGBTQ+ -neurodiversitys -disability status -systems -race -religion -etc we also have all sorts of channels like art channels, oc channels, writing channels, gaming channels, and more! if the server grows (osmosis jones is generally a small fandom so i dont anticipate it getting too big) we'll host events! we hope you'll consider joining us!

[poetryorchard]

🍳 Calling all Ghibli Fans and Foodies! Join us July 22 for a delicious buffet of poems and ghibli scenes hosted by @teawithhb where we will explore how food can be a love language!

✨ We operate on a pay what you can basis, so if cost is a barrier a few free tickets are available! Otherwise the suggested amount is £15.

🍱 As always, even if you can’t make it to the zoom workshop, sign up anyway! Because you can still access the doc, prompts, and read everybody else's work at your leisure even if you can't be there on the day!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/studio-ghibli-food-as-a-love-language-tickets-664581861237?aff=oddtdtcreator

[engagepro-social]

The Dark Side of Social Media: Unveiling the Dangers of Homophily

In today's digital age, social media platforms have become integral parts of our lives, connecting us with others around the world. However, amidst the allure of connectivity, there lies a darker side to social media—one that perpetuates homophily, or the tendency for individuals to associate with others who share similar traits or interests. In this blog post, we'll explore the negative aspects of homophily in social media and its potential risks.

Factors Contributing to Homophily:

Homophily, the phenomenon where individuals with similar characteristics are drawn to one another, has long been a subject of study in social network research. As McPherson, Smith-Lovin, and Cook (2001) elucidate, "the idea that similarity breeds connection has been a major theme in research on social networks, both formally and informally, for almost half a century."

The Role of Social Network Services:

In their analysis of social network services, Lee and Ahn (2012) dive into the homophily effect, noting that "individuals with similar characteristics tend to be attracted to one another and form connections." This underscores the pervasive nature of homophily in shaping social interactions online.

Risks of Homophily in Social Media:

While homophily may seem innocuous at first glance, it can exacerbate existing societal divisions and perpetuate echo chambers, where individuals are only exposed to viewpoints that mirror their own. This can lead to polarization, as individuals become increasingly isolated within their ideological bubbles.

Preventing the Negative Effects:

To mitigate the negative effects of homophily, it's crucial to actively seek out diverse perspectives, engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold different viewpoints, and critically evaluate the information we encounter online. By cultivating a sense of curiosity and open-mindedness, we can combat the harmful consequences of homophily in social media.

In conclusion, while social media has the power to connect us in unprecedented ways, we must be cognizant of its potential pitfalls. By understanding and addressing the negative aspects of homophily, we can foster a more inclusive and diverse online community.

References:

Lee, E., & Ahn, J. (2012). An analysis of homophily effect on social network service. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 7235, 245-252.

McPherson, M., Smith-Lovin, L., & Cook, J. M. (2001). Birds of a feather: Homophily in social networks. Annual Review of Sociology, 27(1), 415-444.

[theworstcreature]

If there is a heaven, then I can assure you that every adult or older person in a fandom or online community who is kind, supportive, friendly, and helpful to teens and younger members WITHOUT being weird about it is going to be there