Cape Cod Focus: Cape Cod Focus Group Launches CapeCodFocus.org!
Stephen Buckley
· 1 year ago
I'm very impressed with the CapeCodFocus website. It appears to have the potential for hosting conversations needed in order to help improve the quality of life on the Cape.
I would, however, like to add a note of caution. Creating a space for online discussion does not automatically result in discussion that is civil and constructive. One need only look at the online "forums" of the Cape Cod Times website for a good example of how unmoderated forums tend to result in unfocused and uncivil discourse.
I would like to suggest that a Topic be created for discussion about "Improving Quality of Life". In order to improve the quality of life (QOL) on Cape Cod then, for instance, we need to talk about all three of its aspects: (1) Economic health, (2) Environmental health, and (3) Social health.
Anything we might do to improve any one of these aspects has ramifications on the other two. Yes, it would be nice (and tempting) to be able to think of them as separate "silos" that are unconnected to each other, but that is not the case.
The best that we can do, as communities and in our individual lives, is to make informed choices that improve (or at least, maintain) all aspects of our quality of life. You know what I mean if you ever turned down a higer-paying job because it would probably harm your social (marriage) or physical health (constant travel).
But these three aspects do not have to be in conflict. The trick for us is to find solutions that are "win-win-win". For example, Economic development in the form of wind-energy projects can be Environmentally friendly and, at the same time, provide jobs that Socially-supportive (i.e., family-friendly because Mom and Dad come home at the end of the day).
Solutions do not have to be of the "either/or" variety. So I would encourage CapeCodFocus to provide a place for us to consider "big picture" solutions (and not get too focused on just Economic development).
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Stephen Buckley Chatham, Mass.
genevate
· 1 year ago
Stephen, I agree everything is related. Thanks for trying to keep it positive and moving the discussion in the right direction. Seems like a lot of us have acknowledged there is a problem here. This site should be all about solutions and solving the problem.
Stephen Buckley
· 11 months ago
Judging from the level of comments on the blogs here over its first two months, it does not look like CapeCodFocus is exactly catching fire.
As most people know, the "build it and they will come" approach to websites does not automatically work.
Is this topic the proper place to talk about possible improvements in the interactive aspects of the website?
P.S. In any response, please bear in mind that I don't "check-in" on a regular basis.
All Comments
I would, however, like to add a note of caution. Creating a space for online discussion does not automatically result in discussion that is civil and constructive. One need only look at the online "forums" of the Cape Cod Times website for a good example of how unmoderated forums tend to result in unfocused and uncivil discourse.
I would like to suggest that a Topic be created for discussion about "Improving Quality of Life". In order to improve the quality of life (QOL) on Cape Cod then, for instance, we need to talk about all three of its aspects: (1) Economic health, (2) Environmental health, and (3) Social health.
Anything we might do to improve any one of these aspects has ramifications on the other two. Yes, it would be nice (and tempting) to be able to think of them as separate "silos" that are unconnected to each other, but that is not the case.
The best that we can do, as communities and in our individual lives, is to make informed choices that improve (or at least, maintain) all aspects of our quality of life. You know what I mean if you ever turned down a higer-paying job because it would probably harm your social (marriage) or physical health (constant travel).
But these three aspects do not have to be in conflict. The trick for us is to find solutions that are "win-win-win". For example, Economic development in the form of wind-energy projects can be Environmentally friendly and, at the same time, provide jobs that Socially-supportive (i.e., family-friendly because Mom and Dad come home at the end of the day).
Solutions do not have to be of the "either/or" variety. So I would encourage CapeCodFocus to provide a place for us to consider "big picture" solutions (and not get too focused on just Economic development).
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Stephen Buckley
Chatham, Mass.
As most people know, the "build it and they will come" approach to websites does not automatically work.
Is this topic the proper place to talk about possible improvements in the interactive aspects of the website?
P.S. In any response, please bear in mind that I don't "check-in" on a regular basis.