Discord Vote: Should we go patron-exclusive?
Added 2021-09-30 23:39:08 +0000 UTCI've had a lot of discussion with my mods over on the No Apologies server about whether or not we should close up the server from the general public, and only allowing patrons and current, longstanding members to partake in our little community.
We've had a lot of issues with people when it comes to posting inappropriate material or trolls just coming in to cause some chaos. This solution would mitigate a lot of those issues and possibly revert the server back to the more relaxed atmosphere it used to be.
Then again, could lead to some potential issues I'm not currently foreseeing, and since this decision could potentially affect everyone here, figured it was best to open the floor to you guys.
Normally polls are for the 2 dollar and above tier, but since this impacts everyone, any patron can vote and leave their opinions in the comments or the server.
Also should be noted, the outcome is NOT the confirmed answer either way. I am only doing this to get your opinions before we discuss this a little more seriously.
Thanks for your time, guys!
Comments
I dont use it really, as I have little time to social these days (self inflicted problem, I play too many video games myself!) But if it is being ruined and it is not making it a positive atmosphere, you are well within your rights to close to the public. 😊
Kyle Winter
2021-10-01 06:38:32 +0000 UTCI voted for keeping it public. It can be hard to find your people, or find a sense of belonging, especially with the world in its current state with some countires still seeing lockdowns. Your Discord server has provided a much needed refuge and social element. Now, the pandemic won't last forever - we're hopefully coming out of the back end of it. Likewise, while I'm a neuro-divergent, socially anxious, weirdo of an adult, it's not fair for me to project those feelings onto other people or assume those thoughts are widespread. I can only speak for myself. That said, I have met some cool people through your Discord and, selfishly, locking it down to Patrons only restricts and reduces the flow of potentially awesome new people coming in. It could limit the community's growth. It might even feel discouraging if you paid for access to a server and then didn't fit in. Case in point, I joined the Stop Skeletons From Fighting Discord a while back - great channel, lovely creators - but that Discord community wasn't for me. It moved too fast, I got lost in the shuffle, and the topics were often along lines I couldn't follow. That was genuinely disappointing. Paying to be there would add salt to the wounds. Let people get to know the community before they decide whether to put their money down. I 100% appreciate that the Discord attracts kids and trolls. Your best performing videos are Sonic videos, that invites a certain audience. I can see how it could be tiring or frustrating to deal with some people. That said, are we going to focus on what's hopefully a minority of disruptive idiots we have to ban, or are they outweighed by what's hopefully a majority of decent people joining? I also have a low-key fear that becoming a paid, gated, community could make us seem elitist, or make embolden people to be more entitled, "I can say and do what I want. I pay to be here." I worry it could change the vibe and atmosphere of the server. Let's not become a cliquey circle-jerk. I don't know. I saw the post, an alarm bell went off. My gut instinct was "No." Maybe I'm against it for selfish reasons? Ultimately, it is your server, it is your decision, and whichever way it goes, it's a great community that I want to continue being a part of.
Sam Webster
2021-10-01 06:38:29 +0000 UTC
