For what it’s worth it would be great if ‘unwritten rules’ become written ones – for the world offline too. Flickr’s Community Guidelines – http://www.flickr.com/guidelines.gne – are fantastic (and according to Heather Champ “our gift to the internet” – that anyone is free to use and adapt) in this respect.

Although they boil down to the old Bill’n'Ted-ism – “be excellent to each other”.

The truth is that there aren’t any rules; unlike other media forms established rhetorical devices don’t exist – only those who see online as a territory to occupy would think otherwise. That In my view makes this a time of opportunity for those whose voices rarely make it to any form of media outlet.

I think Dave Harte’s point is the most apt – the incidents made me scared of breaking the rules but I wasn’t sure what those rules were because they’re not really laid out anywhere, you just have to pick them up. So the idea that, if you go against the ‘etiquette’ Bounder refers to, you’ll get criticized when you’re kind of unsure of it anyway makes one very cautious, which may actually be a good thing!

William – I totally see the merits of your model. Whilst my head tells me it’s obviously a great idea my heart says ‘no – mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!’ My gut reaction goes against something that makes perfect sense! Head and heart still fighting like a couple of kids – will let you know the outcome ; )

That that network had evolved so quickly and in quite a few directions (the first meet-up was unfeasibly different to how any are now) without any major spats is testament to the general _niceness_ of everyone. I’ve lost count of the conversations I’ve had with people about how to make sure the group feels to the outsider as open as it is in reality — are we getting better at this or not, I’m not sure.

Any form of communication evolves an etiquette, even one as anarchic and short form as twitter, or as free as blogging. In almost any community as long as you’re polite and honest you generally get nothing but positive encouragement and support. The ‘ganging-up’ that you described makes me feel uncomfortable too — it’s notable that these were instances when the person who made the mistake was someone that it wasn’t easy to communicate with.

On the Digbeth blog front you’re doing a sterling job, and the burden-sharing vs. control issue is one that loads of people struggle with. I’ve not got an answer, except just to keep it as something you enjoy. Have fun — you’re not getting paid after all

It’s a tricky one. I’ve certainly dished out a few opinions and had to fight my corner here and there, but there is a tendency to keep one’s head under the parapet.

I have felt more than a little uncomfortable with what, to me, sometimes feels like a witch hunt in terms of responses to those online faux pas and quite amazed at the level of response. I think Dave too has a point about how exclusive it all potentially becomes/feels.

Another side is that it potentially means the whole ‘local blogging community’ is viewed as a pack.

Anyway my two penneth – btw I’m enjoying DiG

Charlotte

There is an important point here as many a French or English cultural theorist will tell you power always lies with those who control language. Not understanding or having access to the rules of how to use the language is disempowering and may be a key reason for people not to blog.

I labour this point over and over again in various blogs but the greatest barrier to getting more people online isn’t technology, nor is it psychological, but it’s the cultural and class barriers that exist in all forms of media.