Can we all stop the in-fighting for a minute and realise how awesome the platform we are on is?
We are forming communities on the realized image of the internet that we were told we would have back in the 80s and 90s.
You can make your own home on the web and have your own niche community, not owned by any corporation, while still being connected to the wider internet.
This feels like something out of a sci-fi movie.
I agree.
BUT some degree of infighting means we’re alive and engaged with the platform. I think it’s healthy infighting.
Exactly. No human community exists without infighting. Infighting is not a good thing, but it is a good sign – a sign of growth.
There is a significant difference between constructive criticism and infighting. Infighting is often fueled by emotion and can be seen as toxic, harsh, and genuinely unappealing.
Constructive criticism on the other hand is a great way to provide another view point to someone who may not agree with you. It is up to them to decide on how they want to use this new perspective.
Right, but social media (and any social movement) needs to have some degree of blood-pumping excitement. Constructive criticism is super important, but so is passionate people yelling at each other. The important thing is that we’re emotionally mature enough to handle each other’s passion. If infighting leads to people crying “defederate now!” then that’s a problem. But “constructive” criticism can lead to the same fracturing.
Let’s just ride the waves and steer this thing somewhere cool and strong! And it’s fine if “infighting” is part of the engine that keeps the digital blood pumping.