standing on the shoulders of giants: how community builders can borrow from other traditions to...
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Standing on the Shoulders of GiantsHow We Can Borrow From Other Traditions and Level Up Our Game
CMX Summit East 2015
__________________ by Ana Noemi
@anoemi
Know what community managers do a lot of?
I’ve had the chance to see how community works in lots of orgs.
1) Non-Transactional Giving2) Self Identifying Members3) Alignment of Desires4) Customs and Rituals5) Empowerment of Individuals
These are the five traits of every vibrant, enduring community:
“I have found that the process of discovering who I really am begins with knowing who I really don't want to be.”
Alcoholics Anonymous
What is it?
• “Mutual aid society” - members help each other face their relationship with alcohol, rebuild their lives
• Religious influence
• Free and inclusive to all
Alcoholics Anonymous
• Will not tell you whether you’re an alcoholic
• Sponsorship
• 12 Steps
Alcoholics AnonymousWhat is it?
Non-Transactional Giving
The Five Traits in AA
Self-Identifying Members
Alignment of Desires
Rituals & Customs
Empowerment of Individuals
Sponsorship
AA doesn’t diagnose alcoholismWorking to get well
Meetings
Anyone can start a group
Alcoholics Anonymous
What is it?
• 65K people in Black Rock Desert for a weeklong celebration
• Music, large scale art installations, partying, self-expression
• Bring your own food, water, shelter
Burning Man
• Theme camps
• Effigy burn
• Gifting
• Make a city, break it back down (“Leave no trace”)
Burning ManWhat is it?
Burning ManThe Five Traits in Burning Man
Non-Transactional Giving
Self-Identifying Members
Alignment of Desires
Rituals & Customs
Empowerment of Individuals
Gift economy
Culturally abnormal activity
‘Leave no trace’
Effigy Burn
Theme Camps
“I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.” -- Linus Torvalds, Project Lead
Linux
What is it?
• Open source alternative to Windows and OSX
• Free for everyone to use and modify
• Community & corporate symbiosis
• Leading operating system on servers
Linux
• Linux User Groups (LUGs)
• Community provides support to one another
• Strong countercultural, anti-corporate ethos
What is it?
Linux
The Five Traits in Linux
Non-Transactional Giving
Self-Identifying Members
Alignment of Desires
Rituals & Customs
Empowerment of Individuals
Built by volunteers
Linux User Groups
Anti-corporate ethos
Lots. Of. Shouting.
Pull requests
Linux
The Five Traits at Stack Exchange
Non-Transactional Giving We believe people want to help each other
Self-Identifying Members Give away content, no pressure to sign up
The Five Traits at Stack Exchange
Rituals & Customs Community documentation of our memes & inside jokes
The Five Traits at Stack Exchange