prato2012-darkside

Prato 2012. Sub-theme 3: The dark side of community informatics.
Communities are often seen as warm, fuzzy get-togethers, which support their members in many of their individual and social needs, and provide a sense of belonging. However, communities are not necessarily good. Many communities are oppressive, forcing their people into a mould, with sometimes terrible sanctions if they do not conform. Communities can be myopic, leading to group-think, reinforcing pathological behaviours rather than educating their members about other perspectives. What are the dark sides of communities? What processes are needed to inoculate communities against such disruptive behaviours? How to balance a healthy sense with identity with a much needed sense of relativity of the community's outlook and social norms?

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