Some of the heated discussions that have been going on recently make me think of groups that I have faciliated. One basic principle with group work is the idea of group guidelines. The group agrees to a set of guidelines that try to faciliate discussion and create as safe an environment as possible. Guidelines are not always rules that are set in stone, i.e. if I'm in a substance abuse group and I come high, I will be asked to leave. They're ways of discussing that the group agrees to in order to maximize the potential for open, safe and productive participation.
Another example: confidentiality. The group agrees to not disclose any identifying information about participants. I can say, oh this guy in group shared something that really got me thinking. But I can't say, this woman who works the day shift at the supermarket named Estella said...
It's really, really hard to have in depth discussions online that go beyond "Oh I love what you said, I feel the same way". And clearly this amazing group of people have history, including some anger, resentments, frustrations, etc., that any group would have. But there's got to be a way of being more respectful of each other, even when there is not a personal sense of respect for another individual. Otherwise, what's happening now happens more. Built up anger vents, more anger erupts in respose, personal attacks might be made, moderators step in, censorship cries begin, etc. I really hope that we as a community, of which I am only very recently even been a part of, can aim higher and be more reflective as we post so that we can really maintain the level of respect and caring that's been so apparent here.
Juan
