I think I've written about community in this diary before, but this morning I'm moved to write about it again based on my recent experiences with DK. If you lurk on this site, you find a lot of crucial and useful information about current world events, useful both for educating yourself and for taking action. If you take it a step further and write your own diaries you may find yourself drawn into the community by capturing the imagination or attention of others. By joining in Mojo Friday diaries like these you may begin to acquaint yourself with other participants on the site and start to develop ongoing relationships.
But it's when you throw yourself into the middle of one of the major group efforts that you start to really discover what DK is all about. Current examples in my mind are the Netroots for The Troops effort currently in progress, and the BP oil spill liveblog effort.
Join me over the fold for more. Yeah, and for mojo.
I got sucked into the oil spill liveblog efforts relatively early because of my background in petroleum engineering that gave me a particular interest in the topic. But what I've seen in that series of diaries is truly remarkable. I think it serves as a microcosm of what DK is all about--a motley collection of people with different experiences, background, and expertise, who can all come together with a shared purpose to make something truly greater than its parts.
I once attended a party where we all sat around and talked about music, art, literature, technical topics, you name it. I came away from that party inspired in so many ways, feeling like I had a renewed connection to the world around me and the people in it. I think that's a bit of what we're seeing in the oil spill liveblog diaries. We've got technical experts who consistently make it possible for non-technical followers to understand the complex processes in play. People who live or have lived in the area, helping us all understand the depth of the impact this event will have--is having--on the people in the Gulf Coast area, both from an economic and an emotional perspective. People who focus on action--continuously updating us with information about what we can do to help, either remotely or locally. We even have a resident poet who mourns with us and nourishes us. It is a welcoming and supportive community--newcomers find their questions answered happily, even though they may have been asked and answered many times already, and those who volunteer to jump in with one of the many diaries find numerous people ready to help them through the daunting process. Everyone finds a ready ear and a voice, no matter what time of day they may wander in.
This. This is what DailyKos is about for me. I encourage each of you to find a way to dive in where it makes sense for you. The rewards far exceed the effort required.
Ok, ok, enough maudlin rambling ;-) Don't forget to donate to NFTT. Time is short.
And now, on to the games!
Mojo Friday Guidelines
- If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.)
- Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer)
- You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically)
- You don't have to comment to recommend.
- You can't steal my idea (right, like that ain't goin' to happen)
- Please, no pictures or YouTubes until after 300 comments. Now, after 300, use a little common courtesy and be responsible in the number.
- Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo.
- TexDem (our benevolent sponsor) and MKinTN (that's me) are not bound by the guidelines. Heh.
Mojo Friday Time Shifters Goals (watered down from Mojo Friday Goals)
A. At least 40 different commenters and 300 comments by 2:00 PM PST.
B. 50 recommends for each comment, at least.
C. Get on the Recommended List (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3)
D. At least 50 diary recommends. 100 would be better, spread the word.
E. And always, fun fun fun.
F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen here in the Mojo Friday Postgame Comment by Yours Truly.
G. Have at least 10 kossacks over 90% participation (see here for some tips).
H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B)
I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
MKinTN posted a diary to help everyone achieve greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying.
For those of you new to MF (Mojo Friday) we have our own lingo about a few things. Thank's to MF'er Jez (the link will explain) go to this diary for a little more fun and explanation. Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.