Most discussions of electronic discussions stress trust as an important
variable and seem to imply that the forum and its moderators are responsible
for setting a climate of trust. I wonder. Could it not be that trust is
something that individuals have to bring to to the forum? This might imply
that forums will work well in groups that are already trusting and not so
well among groups that are not. Face to face contact can help motivate trust
but some groups don't seem to need that. Enthusiasts such as collectors ( of
stamps, coins, and baseball cards) or runners, don't seem to need face to
face meetings to keep discussions going. Why are they more trusting than
teachers and educators? Why are pornographers more trusting than educators?
There is something going on here that does not make much sense to me (but
then little does). Anyone understand this or have a different way of
thinking about it.
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