Hi FM

Thank you for a most useful contribution. You are spot on: what makes a Social Networking site special is more than just the tools used to create it.

Which is precisely why I do not want to let the conversation degenerate to something as pointless as “which is better a screwdriver or a spanner?”

Nevertheless, the vast majority of discussion doesn’t rise to the heights of constructive dialogue (political debate on TV is the classic example of dismal interaction).

William Isaacs defines dialogue as a conversation with a center not sides. The Public Conversations Projects emphasizes that:

“The atmosphere is one of safety. Facilitators propose, get agreement on, and enforce clear ground rules to enhance safety and promote respectful exchange.”

That is why forums need to be moderated – to discourage bullies, flaming and trolls.

The Yala is not a social networking site in any conventional sense, which is perhaps why people have difficulty in understanding it.

I can only ever speak as an individual from my unique viewpoint. You can look me up on Linked-in.

I would very much like to know why you don’t feel comfortable to reveal your name, what you learned from implementing social media (not just the technical challenges) and why you perceive this as a game when it is meant in utter seriousness.

Kind regards

Geoffrey