I am consistently impressed by the respect on display here.
What's the secret sauce? I've never come across another online community, technical or otherwise, that can maintain this atmosphere especially as it grows. Inflated egos mixed with the detachment of keyboards and screens between you and everyone else tend towards toxic situations despite best intentions.
I've seen none of that here yet, but I have seen healthy, spirited debate with intelligent points and discussion on multiple sides. We don't go all ad hominem, the discussion is always relevant and well-articulated, and everyone seems willing to listen as well as speak.
What voodoo is this? I know the Dev.to team is pleasant as all heck, and that attitude definitely trickles downward, but that can't be the whole story. Is there a massive moderation machine at work? Have the content contributers here simply self-selected for being nice?
How can we capture and encourage this positivity to infect other useful, technical communities that are less welcoming?
Top comments (6)
I think it is mostly because dev.to is still relatively young. Most of the active members want to to support the idea of dev.to, which is having an inclusive and accessible community.
Maybe as it keeps growing it might get the same problems. However, as long as toxic communities have homes elsewhere they are less inclined to move to a new place.
But I think size and platform scope is a major factor. For example, if dev.to would expand to include topics like religion or politics there is a fair chance that toxicity increases.
You only need 1 broken window which left unattended can bring the whole thing down.
Very good point - here's hoping we keep the focus
The answer is simple: We're all bots here.
All jokes aside, I wonder that myself. Dev.to is such a healthy community; perhaps too healthy. There has to be some greater power that keeps everyone in check.
Illuminati confirmed?Do you want Skynet? Because that's how you get Skynet.
I think a big thing is how like-minded this community is. Whether you're a developer, designer, student, entrepreneur, hobbyist or tech addict, there's always something to talk about, debate and discuss. Even when you're a stranger (like me to you now), we have something huge in common. Tech!
I hope this kindness stay here forever!!
Also after reading this post, i think this kindness is causa everyone has common interest: 'programming' - plus everyone here wanna be a professional programmer.
Regards