Ah, the endless struggle… I like to call what happens to systems, places, anything that groups participate in – The AOL Effect. I call it that because whenever there is a jewel of participatory coolness created, it is often later crushed by a flood of abusive population when the gates are opened to them.. Like what happened to just about everything (irc, email, usenet, etc.) when AOL users were granted access to the rest of the internet.
I have three theories for how participatory systems can be built to deal with this effect.
- Build the system, enjoy it while you can, then run away and build the next version in secrecy.. enjoy until the flood arrives there. Repeat forever.
- Build semi-closed systems where a small dictatorship of admins have godlike power. Delete, confine, limit, and exile as necessary.
- Somehow build systems that simply make it infinitely more desirable to participate in the system in ways that are not abusive. Systems that make abuse ineffectual and intended use work nicely. Preemptive enticement and positive results to keep the system healthy, instead the traditional (and failed) methods of constructing artificial walls and punishment.
Theory solution 3 I think is the best way to go with social ills in the physical world as well.