[MUD-Dev] Trouble Makers or Regular Citizens

[Tess Lowe]

I commented to Jon Lambert:
> >However, beyond that, Diversity in all other areas such
> >as cultural background, gender, political views, religious
> >faith and so on, I believe is a Good Thing.

Jon replied:
> Here's the rub.  I'll posit that you believe it is a _bad_
> thing if they don't
> share diversity (read tolerance) as a cherished value.

Beyond the core values/goals of a group, what I've noticed is that
increasing diversity gives a better chance of a profound and positive
community spirit arising in the group.

I don't think it is a 'bad thing' if a group is not diverse, nor does a lack
of diversity preclude a good sense of community.

I *do* think that a group that cherishes intolerance (read 'a lack of
diversity') will have difficulty creating a positive sense of community (at
least as I understand community, which I defined in my last post), even if
intolerance is their 'core value' around which the group is centered . This
may however not be immediately obvious since intolerant groups frequently
use enemy-formation and enforced conformity to unite their group and enhance
a group identity which may initially seem more powerful and effective than
community achieved through diversity.

I suppose my bottom line is that I certainly accept that it is possible to
create a form of community through enforced conformity and intolerance, but
I see this as the 'Dark Side' of community building - it's powerful, but it
has a negative effect on those involved.

Personally, as a player and as a game admin, I prefer the communities I am
involved with to be based on diversity and tolerance, but I do concede that
such communities are considerably more difficult to develop and maintain,
and I have experienced many failures. It's worth it when it works though.

~Tess Lowe




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