Most know that the long anticipated 'Communities' have officially begun as of last week, here on the Steem/Steemit platform.
With the stepping aside of our 'Most Supreme Leader' and under 'new' management, the administrating team was given the go-a-head to release 'Communities' at it's current state of development.
So...here we are, happily scrambling about Steemlandia searching for Communities that we feel good about and possibly 'fit into' accordingly.
At least, That's what 'I've' been doing :>)
So far, I've hit the 'Subscribe' button on seven of the many that have been appearing upon the 'Explore Communities' page. I've listed those that I'm now designated a 'Guest' with the exception of @DeepDives, where I am a 'Member'.
The 'Guest' designation must be a preliminary status, prior to being reviewed and accepted or rejected for membership? I'm not certain, but some of you guys who have been active with 'Hives' (Beta) might know, and are welcomed to comment accordingly, below.
A few things concern me with the advent of Communities and 'how' they are beginning to form.
- 'Owner' Designation
- Acceptance Criteria
- Fallout from 'Rejected' Guests
- Potential for 'Bullying' Non-conforming 'Outsiders'
In actuality...I have additional concerns (not fears) about the affect/effect of some communities possibly becoming a sort of 'Elitists' group obtaining too much power and control over other individuals and/or groups.
Sadly, in a sense, we already have the formation of groups 'secretly' and 'openly' acting to suppress, oppress and punish others through various methods.
Probably, the most disappointing aspect for many users/creators is the apparent disproportionate 'reward' allocations being distributed to 'some' individuals, by certain 'other' individuals by way of 'Circle Jerking' in various forms.
Once a new user on the platform becomes suspicious of possible 'inner circles' having been formed to benefit mostly each other, after doing a little digging and analysis, they find 'true' links substantiating such activity.
Experienced members of this 'general community' know the above practice exists and handles it in their own way, according to personality traits. Some merely accept it as 'the way of the world', some attempt to expose the "culprits", some try to win favor and of course...there exists users who fall into a different category altogether.
Anyway...getting back to the point...???
Communities, in my opinion, will have a mixed affect upon us, some for better...some 'not'.
It is my hope, that Communities will result in a 'mostly' better experience for us all, thereby helping to 'grow' a wondrously, lush garden of delight, as opposed to a dusty field of noxious weeds.
Have a happy day, my friends.