Sometimes, it might feel that way. Much like when people feel left out of the joke with the sockpuppets, I can see how the term itself can be unsettling. That maybe someones legitimate concerns are being blown off simply because they might not have the social capital someone else does.
I think that when, in a discussion like this one, anyone is afraid to post their opinion because of the social capital, it's detrimental to the discussion itself. I wish there was a way to say, "No social capital here for now.' But there isn't.
I wish there was a way to say, "No social capital here for now.' But there isn't.
Well, because I don't forget all the things I like about Aimee when I'm talking to her. It's really no different than saying "this person has/doesn't have my respect." Except it is different because it acknowledges that "respect" is not an either/or, but something that comes in degrees.
Wolfram, The earliest post I see that uses social capital is from me though I reference something that Allyson says. So if I were guessing which Buffista brought it up first, I'd say it was her.
But, as ita notes, not a concept unique to us.
Well, because I don't forget all the things I like about Aimee when I'm talking to her. It's really no different than saying "this person has/doesn't have my respect." Except it is different because it acknowledges that "respect" is not an either/or, but something that comes in degrees.
Yeah, I know. I just....I don't know. I *know* social capital is real and valuable, especially in a community such as this. But sometimes, it feels...it sometimes feels like "person X has no social capital with me so I can say/post whatever I want as long as it's not too troll-y." I don't have specific incidents of this in mind and I don't know that it's ever happened to me and I know this isn't the true topic at hand (anymore qualifiers? No? Ok, I can close parantheses), but sometimes, it feels that way.
Shrug.
I AM NOT FRENCH
But it is your fault, right?
I am going to call them Allyson Fries and Allyson Toast.
"person X has no social capital with me so I can say/post whatever I want as long as it's not too troll-y."
Yeah, but the word for that behavior is "rude." Treating people disrespectfully is still the same. I don't think social capital as an idea justifies rudeness. I think it describes the notion which Allyson has always promulgated which is that you cut slack for the people you know because you know where they're coming from. Their comments come with context. Newbie comments do not have a bank of context in which to judge them. That doesn't mean that we dismiss them out of hand.
