Navigating the gray areas of content moderation in online communities can be tricky. It’s like walking into a room and instantly sensing if you belong or not. Recently, there was a lengthy discussion about “Help me remember this game” questions on a gaming meta site. The core issue boiled down to this: is it worth allowing slightly off-topic questions if they come from potentially valuable community members? The conclusion reached was yes, in rare cases, a well-crafted identification question from a user who engages further can be a positive addition, a fun “getting to know you” interaction.
This situation mirrors a conversation about mod rewrite questions on Server Fault Chat. URL rewriting questions often fall into a gray area, potentially relevant to multiple sites with different audiences – system administrators, webmasters, programmers. A rigid rule stating all such questions belong to a single site wouldn’t be effective. The crucial factor is context. Understanding the bigger picture surrounding the question is key. Is the asker a system administrator? A web developer? A coder? The same URL rewriting problem can have different solutions depending on the asker’s background and perspective.
Therefore, when dealing with these borderline questions, consider the user. Does this person seem like they belong in this community? Are they a potential fit? Or are they, to put it bluntly, the nerdy person who just wandered into the wrong bar?
This brings to mind the iconic scene from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Pee-wee Herman innocently strolls into a biker bar, a place where he clearly sticks out. He tries to make a phone call, politely asking the rowdy bikers to be quiet. The bikers, initially intimidating, surround him. There’s a moment of tension, but Pee-wee’s awkward charm and willingness to engage, even in this unexpected environment, changes the dynamic. While the text description can’t fully capture the humor, watching the clip on YouTube truly illustrates the point. This scene perfectly exemplifies the essence of the “Pee-wee Herman Rule” for community moderation.
The “Pee-wee Herman Rule” is simple: when judging questions that are marginally off-topic, apply this principle.
- Positive Potential: If the question’s context, quality, and content suggest the user could become a valuable contributor to your community, be inclined to let it remain. They might be like Pee-wee, initially out of place, but with potential to bring something unique.
- Misfit Indicator: Conversely, if the question’s context, quality, and content indicate the user is unlikely to contribute positively or doesn’t understand the community’s focus, consider closing the question or guiding them to a more suitable platform. This isn’t about exclusion, but about ensuring a healthy community environment.
This rule isn’t about being exclusionary. It’s about gauging a new user’s willingness to engage and “dance the Tequila song” with the community, metaphorically speaking. Just as Pee-wee Herman, despite his initial awkwardness, managed to find a place, even in a biker bar, new users can find their place in your community. The key is to look beyond the surface and consider their potential for positive interaction and contribution, much like Pee-wee inadvertently wins over the bikers and perhaps even inspires a “Peewee Herman Dance” of sorts within the community.
