Like the stuff you write about in general, Kat Woods, this post speaks to me poignantly—worth coming back to after months, no doubt. It feels like some recognition for the number one issue that pulls me back from working with anyone I don’t know on anything serious: misanthropy.
In a way, I’ve quit EA without realizing it, dreading and staying away from it more often than I perhaps have to, because I think of this community as a monolith that I do pretty much dislike. It’s like those who’ve spoken kindly to and encouraged me, not to mention those good-natured people on my podcasts and blogs, aren’t even part of that movement they devote their careers to.
Pleasant or otherwise, the only EAs I’ve ever interacted with are online avatars. I’ve stayed away from the forum for years because it’s structured and sometimes converses like Reddit. It’s hard to imagine that there are upvotes hidden in those unjustly negative vote counts, that there are people here who take issue with rudeness, as well, and may well be controlling an avatar here out of compromise, not agreeing with all the wickedness I ascribe to the monolith. Seeing some names here that I’m confident are good people is reason not to let bad apples spoil a bunch.
You put forth a good alternative, that this community is indeed made of individuals; and it’s a tough pill to swallow, but possibly one which loads of good impact depends on. Maybe even some of those less likable ones would indeed be likable if I got to know them, I just hope they would be so to those they speak brashly towards. We’re all here to achieve a common goal, first and foremost. 🍎
Like the stuff you write about in general, Kat Woods, this post speaks to me poignantly—worth coming back to after months, no doubt. It feels like some recognition for the number one issue that pulls me back from working with anyone I don’t know on anything serious: misanthropy.
In a way, I’ve quit EA without realizing it, dreading and staying away from it more often than I perhaps have to, because I think of this community as a monolith that I do pretty much dislike. It’s like those who’ve spoken kindly to and encouraged me, not to mention those good-natured people on my podcasts and blogs, aren’t even part of that movement they devote their careers to.
Pleasant or otherwise, the only EAs I’ve ever interacted with are online avatars. I’ve stayed away from the forum for years because it’s structured and sometimes converses like Reddit. It’s hard to imagine that there are upvotes hidden in those unjustly negative vote counts, that there are people here who take issue with rudeness, as well, and may well be controlling an avatar here out of compromise, not agreeing with all the wickedness I ascribe to the monolith. Seeing some names here that I’m confident are good people is reason not to let bad apples spoil a bunch.
You put forth a good alternative, that this community is indeed made of individuals; and it’s a tough pill to swallow, but possibly one which loads of good impact depends on. Maybe even some of those less likable ones would indeed be likable if I got to know them, I just hope they would be so to those they speak brashly towards. We’re all here to achieve a common goal, first and foremost. 🍎