Posted by Dinah on April 30, 2005, at 14:07:36
In reply to Re: administrating and joining in, posted by Dr. Bob on April 30, 2005, at 13:51:17
> > there's that contrast right here on Babble from before and after.
> >
> > why did you change your style?
>
> Did I change my style? When was that?Many of those who have been around a long time comment on it. It was before I came, so pre-mid 1981. I can see it myself in the archives, and even commented on Parenting about it, but you ignored my comment. :(
>
> > My guess would be that the benefits of greater participation would be less room for projection, because the administrator wouldn't be a blank screen... It might also decrease resentment towards the administrator because the participants have grown to know and care for the administrator and feel that he knows and cares for them as individuals.
> >
> > I can see the benefits of the administrator avoiding non-administrative contact as well. I would imagine that it could possibly increase both the perception and the reality of impartiality in the meting out of administrative actions. Although in practice, we're going to see partiality anyway. And I suppose it could lead to jealousy and jockeying for favor among the board participants.
>
> I don't know, like perceived partiality, there may be projection, jealousy, and jockeying for favor no matter what. In a large group, knowing and caring for everyone as individuals would be a large task...
>
> Any thoughts on what the differences might be for the administrator?
>
> BobWell, it might take a bit more time. But I wouldn't imagine all that much more time if the administrator already reads all posts.
There may be legal protections in keeping to a purely administrative role.
It might be harder for you to give administrative actions to those you care for and have a personal relationship with. But I strongly suspect you do develop different feelings for different posters already, or you would be a machine.
I've never administrated so from there I'll have to guess some. May I extrapolate from my reading about psychotherapists, even tho this is not psychotherapy?
I imagine that keeping a distant purely administrative role would be self protective. It might suit those more cautious souls. That the inevitable conflict involved in administration would hurt a lot more if the adminitrator had personal involvement.
I imagine that being involved in the group in addition to administrating it would involve relational risks and a certain amount of raw courage. It could bring about both pain and great rewards.
Now remember, you asked.
So how close am I?
poster:Dinah
thread:491889
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050417/msgs/491929.html