I was interested in the recent 'political' discussion on here but did not comment, not because I was not interested but because I was more interested in seeing it develop. So the question I have is what makes a 'community' a community? Here's my thoughts. I live in a community and there are many I do not know and don't interrelate with but I would still consider those part of the community or even 'my' community. So something in common whether location or interest seems to be at least one part of the necessary conditions.
I can benefit from getting information from my community or here but I can also get information from Wikipedia and I know others do too who have my interests yet I do not consider those a community for some reason. Perhaps some commitment to the community seems to be a condition to make community. Perhaps also some rules or if not that at least someone who is seen as representative of the community and has implied or assumed power to speak with some authority is also a necessary condition. And it also seems necessary that there at least some givers, those who give benefits, otherwise people will not have needs fulfilled. For many personal relationship building is a necessary requirement and for others watching that occurring is sufficient.
I think a community becomes resilient after it goes through a number of stages. Some at least have to have made a transition from ' a community' to 'the community' and on to 'my community'.
So if you read this far please disagree or ignore! I know the philosophy of online community will cause many to up the pred!
Written by
Harbel
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I like to think of us as a village, full of all sorts of people, interests, views but above all a sense of connectedness and it's 'my' village. You have written a thoughtful post x
Just watching is still being part of a community. You don't have to join in if you don't want to. I know i can come to the forum for medical advice but i also enjoy the non pmr posts as well but if there is a subject i am not interestef in i just move on. Thank you for sharing your views
I think if there are unwritten rules in my community, these seem to be that we respect and support each other, and to allow for real diversity in thoughts and feelings. It feels like a generally loving place and it manages to be funny and irreverent too. My experience of this illness would have been really bleak without it.
Darling Harbel. Love what you wrote. Thank you so much. I know one thing. It’s not possible with any group to have everyone happy. As long as we respect each other. Xxxx
I watched for a whole year before I joined in, learning the rules of interaction perhaps, because this is my first venture into social media. Now like you I still often just watch and learn but now feel that I have the experience to comment occasionally on my journey with PMR.
There are numerous posts I don't get involved in or even read because I can't help or am not interested. The heading can tell you a lot.
As for social interaction that took longer to develop and now I feel I have friends and casual aquaintances in the community.
I don't know about anyone else, but your heading 'do not read' was irresistible! There was no way I could pass by that post without looking!
It was thoughtful and I agree with your summation of community - and with others' comparison with a village.
Some people like to live in the comfort of the village environment but are happy to look at life through their lace curtains before they venture out to the village hall. Horses for courses I think.
Thoughtful post. I just love the fact that I can post if I want to, ignore or pass on something if I want to, glean a lot of helpful information and know I have support,care and understanding when needed. Everyone I feel is respected and valued regardless of input. We all have a common link- the suffering from PMRGCA and the difficulties that this brings which is not fully understood or appreciated in the wider community ( outside of our community here)
Thank you to all who have made comments or read. I do feel lucky to have found this site. I think I am discovering more about the disease each week and more about myself too, and I have this disease to thank for that. In my arrogance I used to think I was a rational being that had emotions and sentiments at times. Now I am beginning to see that I am an emotional being that has rationality at times.
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