Webwork - 3:05 pm on Apr 24, 2006 (gmt 0)

Perhaps I might have crafted a somewhat different sub-title: Healthy self-interest versus unhealthy self-interest.

Where's the line? If there's an element of self-interest that brings us here then what brings out benevolent self-interest and what brings out the monster?

I moderate the Domain Forum here. Why? I don't exactly know. I don't sell domains. (We'll very rarely, as selling them isn't my gig.) I don't run a domain registrar. I don't have a personal website about domain issues. Heck, I'm not quite certain that any of my efforts here have made me a dime.

So why do I do it?

Ego gratification would be a quick and easy answer but, beyond a reasonable doubt, ego gratification is ephemera: It's a thin meal, not sustaining. You can see that focus play out in the world, mostly in people/members who come and go from various forums - along with another mob who only show up to promote themselves.

Maybe being someone who helps others is a thing unto itself, a sort of "it's in my, so I do it" thing? You too?

What brings that out here - in me - perhaps explaining my presence?

Maybe it's the presence of others of like mind, character, quality? Maybe it's the rogerds, Tedsters, cavemen, davezans, hannamyluvs, EFVs, buckworks, ogletrees, sugarraes, kirbys, digitalghosts, trillianjedis, encyclos, claus, pageones, spacylacies, emodes, bharzters, martinis, and on and on - forgive me for not listing you all - people of considerable knowledge and experience who drop in just to answer questions or share a bit of insight or to get you to think.

Maybe it's something about the people who give without evidence that they are giving to get something in return?

BUT what brings them here?

Don't you wish you could run a forum like WebmasterWorld?

Well, what is it about this place and IF you run a forum what is it about your place that brings out the best in people?

Is it you? Do you set a standard? What is it?

What brings out the best in people AND, if you can identify it - know it, talk about it, grasp it - is there any reason why "whatever it is" is not more prevalent?

Doesn't the business of community no get down to brining out the best in people? The best the have to bring to the table?

What is it that brings such people to the table?