No one starts out perfect

[wallwalker]

Nothing turns me off of a community faster than the feeling that if you aren’t already an expert, you’re trash. I’ve seen it in various writing, gaming and artistic communities, among others; you’re not allowed to be new at something, or to make mistakes. If you’re not already great, your performance/work is fair game for ridicule, even public ridicule.

That’s ridiculous to me. How is any community going to grow and thrive if new people are actively being driven away?? And no, I’m not saying people who are new at something should be coddled and told their stuff is perfect when it’s not, but there’s a difference between pointing out issues along with good points, and flaming the hell out of something. It honestly makes me wonder how new people find the fortitude to get started at all.

(This is especially obnoxious combined with the “If you can’t find what you like, make it yourself!” argument, because then you get people who are new to creating the thing trying to make what they like, and then being told that their stuff sucks and this is why more of that thing they like doesn’t exist.)

Also, I hope this doesn't double-post, but automated cross-posting doesn't seem to be working right now.
(Cross-post)

Comments

[lassarina]

I think that might be a function of where we hang out. There seem to be a lot of new fen on tumblr, but man, I Just Can't with that site.

[wallwalker]

There are, and I've met a few good people there, but yeah, Tumblr's community is a mess.

[samuraiter]

I Just Can't, either. I'm sure the Amazon's a lovely river, but I know it's got a load of piranha in it (among other things; I learn a lot from River Monsters).