The world can learn that there are some places that are good to be. This is one of them. It's the only social network that I know of, where I would not mind living next to most of the people, whether I consistently agree or disagree with their opinions.
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I agree with your statement about Teenaye's question. It was one of the most clam discussions about that topic I've ever seen. I think Mahalo could slowly change the world into a better place. If someone gets an answer to a question they've been dying to know, they are instantly better off for knowing it. Regardless of whether or not the question seemed intelligent or not. They may even contact a friend and tell them the answer. Slowly, but surely, Mahalo is educating people for the better.
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i'm thinking the lesson the world can learn is, "tie everybody to a database of accountability, rankings, and popularity."

@srgothard hit it dead-on with points #2 and #3.

i'd love to believe there's a loftier, noble umbrella over mahalo - but i'd wager a big part of the civility (compared to, say, a flame-war in a forum) is that other people can actually tag your stats and make them go up or down.

in a forum, you say something inflammatory ... somebody else says something inflammatory ... and it just escalates until it makes the news or the moderators step in.

here ...

1) everybody can vote you helpful/unhelpful
2) everybody can see WHO voted you helpful/unhelpful
3) your answers are evaluated on a point-based scale by the community.

if one just came in here spouting off as if it were a forum, they'd get run out of town.

i think everybody here is invested in the "community" aspect of mahalo - and at least to some degree is concerned about their status within it and the advancement in it. whether that be friends/allies, higher belts, mahalo dollars ... whatever.

and i think that's a powerful tool to keep us in line.
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The world can learn many more things than if the atmosphere was one of flame wars! Truthfully, when I go to a forum and everyone is trying to show off and put others down, I usually don't return unless I'm desperate.

The "helpful" attitude is so evident here. And the benefits are, I think, just starting to be seen, with discussions such as Teenaye's on scientific proof on whether God exists. We may be able to tackle some pretty heavy topics civilly.

Civility-spreading. That's a GREAT goal!
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