The simple fact is that we naturally gravitate toward “niche communities.” We join clubs, we participate (or create) exclusive parties for activities and life, and we segregate ourselves based on interest, race, gender, religion, culture, ad nauseum.
Since we can all agree this happens then we should be prepared to engage in these niche communities and not apologize for it. I think it’s the latter that gives many trouble.
The web is headed in this direction as well.
Take for example this relatively new Web Browser exclusively for the African Americans called Blackbird. When it was first announced on TechCrunch the comments ranged from it being “cool” to being “racist” to… well, you can imagine the many different opinions on the matter.
Along the same theme, what about the so-called “Black Amazon.com,” CodeBlack.com?
We, as technoevangelists, can’t really do anything about these developments and manifestations of the human condition online. But, we can accept the fact that it happens and then choose to engage well and wisely.
Not everyone will be “called” to engage in the same niche market, industry, or community, just like how not everyone is “called” to the same physical world mission field. Our real life missionaries (and martyrs) don’t apologize for their calling into the “ends of the earth” and I don’t plan on apologizing for my calling into the mission field called the internet.
Where do you think your “place” is online? Does any of this make sense? What are your thoughts?
I would like to think that my place is within the digital video (editing, effects and filming) community. But since I am a Christian I frequent Christian blogs.
Does it make sense? In so far as who you want to engage with – yes (how many times have I used that word this month??)
However I feel that in the general online community there are many barriers and assumptions dropped, so I do not think that there should be ethnic or race centered online communities – these are examples of perceived conceptions or umm (what's the word?) learnt/taught/passed on ideas. What I mean is that the so-called online communities are where we engage with a person's mind and personality – not the color of their skin, or anything we can see (for all we know 50% of the Back Amazon visitors are white)
well that's my opinion
ah. that's a good point. i've got a “culture” post coming in a day or so (or maybe today). not sure. love your thoughts on that.
it would be interesting to see what the demographics in regards to traffic REALLY are… wonder if they'd publish them.
Niche marketing on the Internet can give life to concepts in a way that "real world" engagement can never match, since the online version almost feels more exclusive and community oriented. However, I do have a problem with some of this niche players because they come across as almost comical stereotypes of the people they claim to represent (that CodeBlack.com is a perfect example).
For the church, though, finding ways to evangelize in a niche should bring back thoughts of Paul's journeys. He knew how to fit into the culture and reach groups wherever he went. The Internet makes that even more possible for us today—as long as we don't forget that we're all one body.
Thanks for the thoughts, John.
John, thanks for dropping your thoughts.
definitely feel you on the pauline example. very cool.
John, thanks for dropping your thoughts.
definitely feel you on the pauline example. very cool.
In respects to blackbird:
Mozilla should just quit the whole "blackbird" browser before they start controversy.
Just the name itself is offending. Blackbird can come from the word "blackbirding" which "refers to the recruitment of people through trickery ". This can be linked back to slavery. This is unacceptable. As technoevangelists, we can make sure the Church, at least on the web, doesn't go the same direction.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbirding
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blackbirdi…
Brian,
Thanks for this info. i had heard of that but didn't make the initial connection… wow… that's kinda messed up…!