I react very badly when mediocrity throws a tantrum of entitlement.
- Lee Siegel -
I remember when communities, in the form they take now, didn't exist on Hive; it was one large group of people all posting collectively. I was happy communities began though, it gave me the ability to see posts that I might be interested in all gathered in one place making it easy to find what I was looking for and also gave me the opportunity to create communities of my own, which I did.
I have a few communities: weekend experiences, outdoors and more and the Lego community. All were created as a place for me to drop my own content relating to the topics and theme of each community, a file as such, and I wasn't concerned if no one else posted there. I've not aligned them with any curation projects and generally have them for my own enjoyment. Of course, other people came along and posted there and that was ok by me too.
Because the communities are my own and for my own enjoyment I decided to create a set of rules to ensure that those posting there have an understanding of what the community theme is and what's accepted or not accepted as far as content and behaviour went. I don't think they're difficult to follow and there's not all that many to be honest.
I even created a posting guide to further help people who wish to post in my communities understand what's required in my communities and offered to answer any questions they may have. Many have read them and complied, although a few have not read them, or have chosen not to comply, and the offending posts from those people have been subsequently muted.
I've generally enjoyed my communities, but one thing I haven't enjoyed is people becoming abusive when their post, that has not followed the guidelines of the community, is muted. I add a note of course, outlining why the post is muted, but still, some become abusive and attack rather than find out what they have to do to comply.
I had one such case recently, an account called 
Well yeah mate, it is my little kingdom and I protect it for my own enjoyment and those others who use it.
You can see the exchange below.
The user ended up deleting all the text in the offending post (rather than just leaving the English) and changed the heading to have a further jab at me. I hadn't ever intended to downvote the post but when he deleted all the text leaving it blank I had no choice as I don't like people receiving rewards for posts that contain nothing at all - It's not fair to others who apply effort.
I've had many such cases of people challenging the rules I set for my communities and I'm inflexible every time, and a lot of the time they attack me for it - Not all though.
I don't understand people who feel entitled to come along to a place someone else created for their own enjoyment, choose not to follow the guidelines then attack the creator for them being addressed for not following the guidelines. It makes me wonder how these people get through life offline. Do they challenge the rules in the real world?
Why can't I rob the bank, why can't I take food from the supermarket without paying, why do I have to be at work on time, why can't I drive the wrong way on the road, why do I have to show my passport, why don't I get everything for free, why can't I murder my neighbour with an axe because he didn't return my hammer I loaned him. I bet they probably don't say any of these things, but on Hive? Hmm...
Almost every community on Hive has rules that need to be followed and most are managed and enforced by community admins and mods; my communities are not the only ones with rules and guidelines and a look around will demonstrate that. Of course, I also see a lot of communities with rules that are not enforced, and those communities generally look like a shambles.
Community rules are there for a reason, and Hive itself has them also: No plagiarism, copy and pasting, image theft, post recycling and so on. If a user doesn't follow them they are addressed by the community at large; why then do people feel entitled to question rules in my own communities when they don't follow them and are addressed for it?
Below are the rules in the WEEKEND EXPERIENCES community and the description of the community. I think they're fair however, because it is my community, whether they are fair or not doesn't matter. People have the choice not to post there if they choose and, as I pointed out above, if they don't it doesn't bother me in the least little bit.
The feeling of entitlement, and the bad behaviour that often follows, is a plague in general society and it raises its head here on Hive also. But here's the thing, the feeling of entitlement entitles you to nothing.
I'll be honest and say that each time someone attacks me for trying to maintain a clean and nice looking community it gets at me just a little.
My efforts on Hive began for my own enjoyment and I have worked for over five years to that end; in the process though, I've worked to support others, spread votes and curangel promotions around and generally help to provide a place for people to feel welcome and valued. Being reprimanded by a user for ensuring rules in my own communities are complied with doesn't sit well though, however I'll not be dissuaded from doing so.
I'm also not afraid to use my downvotes and the mute button, and I do. It's my right to exercise freedom of choice, as it is with every user, and I make no apology for it, especially when it's in respect of a place, my communities, that I have created and cared for.
I'm not sure what this post is about, I guess just to say that the feeling of entitlement doesn't entitle anyone to anything, and to admit that being attacked for trying to uphold rules in a community of my own creation makes me feel somewhat annoyed. I get over it though, and will never compromise my own standards to avoid it. If people want to test me out they can, however they need to accept the consequences of their behaviour, and that I will be steadfast and resolute in my intention to keep my communities looking their best for those who wish to use them.
My suggestion for users is to read the rules of any community prior to posting there, ask questions of the admins and mods if you have any and to accept the responsibility for your failure to comply with community guidelines.
Running a community well isn't easy and yet people choose to do it for the benefit of the general Hive community nonetheless. I don't think any, or many, of them expect much from it but a little respect and understanding would probably be welcomed.
If a person feels entitled, has a heightened feeling of self importance and privilege, they won't care too much about the feelings or thoughts of others and that's ok; it's their prerogative to act in accordance with, and commensurate to, their own feelings...but maybe they should be so surprised when others do the same.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Any images in this post are my own
