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Fertile Medium

An advice column for living online.

Your Community Site is Not a Government

Your Community Site is Not a Government

In my community consulting work, I’ve often had to remind clients that their products, while important, are not governments.
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Derek Powazek
Aug 9, 2018
AI is Not a Community Management Strategy

AI is Not a Community Management Strategy

Let’s start from the beginning. Say you make a website that allows people to say something online. Most people use it like you intended…
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Derek Powazek
Jun 10, 2018

Guns and Trolls are not Weather

When people say nothing can be done, they’re wrong.
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Derek Powazek
Feb 17, 2018
The Commenters’ Bill of Rights

The Commenters’ Bill of Rights

If comment systems treated commenters better, their comments would be better.
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Derek Powazek
Feb 14, 2014
Press the Magic Button

Press the Magic Button

Why you shouldn’t be offended when someone blocks you.
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Derek Powazek
Jul 1, 2013
How To Apologize Online

How To Apologize Online

Hint: Do it like Kickstarter, not Paula Deen.
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Derek Powazek
Jun 21, 2013
Is it ever okay to photograph someone in order to shame them?

Is it ever okay to photograph someone in order to shame them?

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Derek Powazek
Mar 24, 2013
The Flirty Medium

The Flirty Medium

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Derek Powazek
Mar 24, 2013
Picture Yourself in a Boat on a River

Picture Yourself in a Boat on a River

Go to the profile of Derek Powazek
Derek Powazek
Mar 24, 2013
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