I write for a number of forums as many of you know. It is amazing to watch how society in online communities mimics the real world. I watch tight little communities developed in a variety of different ways. There are those that are truly kind and welcoming to new members and at the far extreme those where snobbery and over inflated ideas of self-importance exist. Of course there is everything in between just as in our world. Throw in the fact that in the online world you truly don't have to be an expert to be considered one nor are you held to the same standards as in the real world and it makes for some really interesting dynamics.
There are self-professed gurus are a number of boards who others revel in knowing and develop an almost gang like mentality around. It is truly sad when I visit these types of boards and watch new members be driven away who likely have skills and knowledge that would benefit the group as a whole. But then this happens in civilized society as well.
