A message from DRay, the new Community Manager

[DRay]

The importance of Communities.

Communities give us something AI never can.

AI is popping up in more and more places these days. Like a toddler not sure how to function in the world, it's wandering around and bumping into things. Like children, we are equally likely to feel fear and concern or pin hopes and dreams on AIs future. 

No matter how you feel about it, the fact remains that we are in the toddler stage, and AI is far from graceful and mature. Talking with AI often feels impersonal and cold, or doesn’t make sense at all. AI “art” lacks the spark that gives human art its voice, the cry of a soul seeking to understand or be understood. For all the data AI has, it lacks perspective. A way of seeing the world filtered through experiences and personality. AI has no unique story to tell.

The real benefit of an online Community is not the text on the screen, it’s the stories that are created by the human interactions within it. 

• It is recognizing the names of other members and being excited to see what they have to say. 
• It is being at a conference and meeting the people behind the screen-name, and already having a common-ground and a relationship to build on.
• It is shaking the hand of the person who has helped you so many times and being able to say “Thank you”. Or maybe you were the one answering questions, and you’re meeting people you have seen learn and grow and succeed.

Communities are a place to talk, share, learn and grow with others. Like rope braided together is stronger than the sum of the individual strands, we become better, stronger, faster, and capable of greater things.

That is Community, and it is something that computers can never replace.

Thank you for being here. I'm excited to see this Community, and the people in it, grow!