A Bedside Campfire Discord
Exploring tools on the internet, and playing with ideas
Hello friends,
I’ve got some time off of work and I started exploring Discord. In this post, I discuss the nuance of connecting online vs. in-real-life, a couple of social media platforms I’ve played with, the varying levels of engagement/accountability online, and the idea of community-building in a mixed-media realm. Let’s look/listen together (Pro Tip: the audio above includes more detail than the text below).
What is Discord?
For the uninitiated, Discord is a free, social platform for communication that allows users to:
Share text, voice, and video
Create private or virtual communities called “servers”
Access servers via invite links
It’s available via browser, computer, or phone app” (thanks AI generated google search for this simple summary). Neat!
I’ve explored social media as a means of developing a community, and have noted several “swings and misses” over the last few years. Granted I haven’t dedicated excessive time or attention to social media interaction, but I have a full-time job and full-time family, so I have to be considerate of how I spend my “free” time. I’ve found it difficult to gain traction on any particular platform, as well as challenges sifting through the bullsh*t.
Here are the nuances from my own experience in a few spaces. The audio dives in a bit deeper, but here’s a quick summary if a half hour is too long for today :)
Instagram
Instagram seems to be my default mode and the one I prefer over other social media platforms. It’s visually appealing and a nice mix of photo, video, text, and sound. The stories and scrolling are endless, and the algorithm provides content that is relevant to my interests and preferences. “Following” a profile gets me more of that user’s content (as well as related content from others) and “liking” or commenting is an easy way to engage by saying “I see you!” and “I like this!”.
In the audio for this post (linked above), I share my dive into Instagram from a personal and professional perspective, as well as figuring out boundaries when it comes to sharing/oversharing and the endless “digital exhaust” of the internet age. There are no right answers, and we’re all trying our best, okay? Okay.
Facebook
I was invited to Facebook in my first year of college, within a year of its dissemination to the collegiate masses. Facebook was created to connect college students across and between campuses. Users could only participate with a college email.
Facebook had rules and boundaries.
Then, it expanded to include the world. Everyone’s aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, neighbor, friend, acquaintance, enemy, stranger — all of a sudden — everyone had access to all our information and interactions. Facebook’s expansion didn’t just open the door to let in guests. They tore off the roof, and the sh*t poured in.
Facebook used to be one thing, and now it’s something else. Over time, the sh*t has collected, steeped, and now… It’s a cesspool.
Facebook has fulfilled its duty. It has outlived its original purpose. It is now accumulating the detritus of an online society (including a ton of bots and trolls), kept alive by a smattering of creatures with nothing to do but stir the pot.
It’s time to retire Facebook. But till then, do you have to delight in watching the world burn before you go??? Just… you know… go quietly, Facebook. It’s okay, you can rest now. Shhh…. We’ll take it from here.
In Real Life
My favorite platform: gathering with real-life humans in real-life spaces — In Real Life (IRL). A coffee shop, on a walk, out in the community. Yes, all of this! BUT, it’s hard to coordinate a bunch of humans, across varying geographies, with conflicting schedules. It happens, but it’s tricky to get people’s attention, intention, and make it happen on a regular basis (myself included).
Which brings me to: THE INTERNET AGAIN!
Discord Servers
I’m new on Discord, I’m figuring it out, and it seems to have several useful functions. Anyone can create a “Server” (like a subpage or micro-community). Once created, each Server has its own community guidelines and posting parameters. The users agree to abide by them, or they don’t get to play. The Server I created is called “A Bedside Campfire’s server”.
I did on search for “healthcare” and found another Server called “The Medical Field” (TMF). TMF has rules for participation, including a few steps to get started before users can even see or interact with any content. I like that — it’s like a troll bridge — it takes a little extra effort to join (but also, it would take time to create and enforce community guidelines). I’m sure there are zillions of Servers worth exploring, but this is the only other one I’ve looked into.
Back to A Bedside Campfire’s server —
If you’re interested in being a test pilot in this online community, I’m sharing a link below. As it grows (which I believe it will), I intend to clarify “rules” and whatnot to give it some structure.
Till then, my hope/intention is to:
Curate a space for sharing resources and ideas around care in the community (including healthcare navigation)
Avoid the accumulation of sh*t (reducing/eliminating outdated, harmful, hurtful crap)
Encourage discourse, dialogue, dissection of ideas… where nobody comes as an expert, and everyone has a common goal or philosophy — we all deserve to take good care of ourselves and each other, and a community can help make it as easy as possible.
So — come on in! Create a Discord profile and username, join the chat, create your own, and let’s go play together.
This link is set to “never expire” — so feel free to share with whoever you think would be interested! https://discord.gg/rHXWF3TUQ3 Off we get!
Until next time: Take good care!
Love,
Jessie