Origin Dictionary / OD-059

Community

A group chat can have thousands of members and nobody responsible for anything.

01Dictionary Meaning

A community is a group connected by shared interests, relationships or practices, with some continuing sense of participation and belonging.

02What People Think

"If people gather around the project, the project belongs to them."

03What’s Underneath

Members may contribute answers, introductions, moderation and enthusiasm. That activity can create value for one another and for the business hosting the space.

But participation does not automatically grant a vote, a revenue share or control over the rules. Those rights need separate arrangements.

A useful community can exist without shared ownership. Trouble starts when the language of belonging leaves people with incompatible expectations about who decides, who gets paid and what members are being asked to provide.

04The Game

What do members receive, what do they contribute, and which decisions can they actually influence?

05One Line

Belonging to a community does not tell you who owns the place.

Related terms

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Youth Decentralized Business

Examine the rights and responsibilities behind participation.

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