EDGE

Reflection Journal 2: Community Toxicity, Dysfunction, and You

Watch Ane Marie Anderson and Martin Nielsen’s “Pillars and Parasites.”

Read Rafael Boccamazzo’s “Lessons Learned from Both Sides of Games” and Teos Abadía’s “The Community Rises at the D&D Creator Summit.”

Content Advisory for Boccamazzo: Discussion of harassment, threats, and mental health challenges. Let the instructor know if you need an alternative assignment

Review Bowman’s “Social Conflict in Role-playing Communities: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.”

Then, answer the following questions:

1. According to Anderson and Nielsen, in 1-2 sentences, describe two (2) traits that “pillars” of RPG communities exhibit. Then describe two (2) traits “parasites” exhibit.
2. In 1-2 sentences, describe the situation Boccamazzo discusses in his article.
   1. Which groups are described on “both sides” of the situation and what are their perspectives on the issue?
   2. What behaviors do they exhibit that can be considered toxic and/or dysfunctional?
   3. How might these behaviors inhibit transformational processes?
3. Consider community toxicity and/or dysfunction based on your experience. Describe at least two (2) examples of toxic or dysfunctional group behavior you have witnessed and/or experienced.
4. In 1-2 sentences, summarize the purpose of the creator summit Abadía describes. Then, choose two (2) major takeaways Abadía describes in the article that might help address issues in role-playing game communities.
   1. For each takeaway, in 1-2 sentences, describe the community problem Abadía describes, as well as the solution offered.
5. What strategies might reduce the amount of toxicity and dysfunction in communities based on the texts or on your own experience? Be specific.