What makes for a healthy community? [Transcript]

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Background: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Drill all. All engines running. Liftoff! We have a liftoff!

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[0:19]

Juan: Welcome, everyone, to another episode of the [Unicorn] Meta Zoo. Just in case you thought you had enough, well here goes more. This is like the second helpings that you never asked before, but here we are anyways bringing it to you. With me, today, are two of the smartest people I work with, not to mention better looking; we got Jon Ericson, and we got hairboat (Abby). How are you both doing today?

[0:38]

Abby: We're here. I'm here. We're ready.

Jon: I'm having a hard time believing that I'm better-looking than you. Y'know, smarter... I guess. Juan laughs. I will take that.

Juan: I mean-- yes Jon and Abby laugh

[0:50]

Juan: Okay; all right. 50% alright.

Abby: We're gonna have a beauty contest for next year.

Juan: Either way we'll take the--

Jon: Yeah. Right.

Juan: You guys can't see it, but Jon is brushing his hair.

[1:01]

Juan: He applies some [inaudible]

Jon: Ha! I'm still wearing my tuxedo, which still fits.

Abby: With the Mr. California sash across from--.

Juan: Still-- but still-- were you Mr. August; is that going to be [inaudible as Jon laughs]?

Jon: That's right!

Juan: I love it.

[1:24]

Jon: Yeah.

Juan: All right. Let's get started, you two. We've got a wonderful topic today which is worth mentioning because as a Community Manager, this is one of the things we are constantly looking at, and no, it's not about the paycheck. No, it's not about the internet connection. Actually, what today's topic is is healthy communities. Right, healthy communities. So we want discuss what the thoughts are behind, and how we look at this topic, what we look for, [etcetera]. And so we're going to be asking all sorts of questions; hopefully, [we will be] trying to get at some negative truths. Let me start off with you, Jon. As we think what a healthy community is, can you define, in a sentence or two, how would you define a healthy community? Let's just start there. How would you define a healthy community?

Jon: I think a healthy community is one that is fulfilling for purpose; it has a purpose for existance, and doing it in an enjoyable way that is comfortable for the people who are in it. I think that there are an awful lot of groups where there is a purpose, but nobody is focused on it, and the purpose of it is hanging out, having fun, and enjoying other people's company, and that's cool. I think a healthy community is living up to the purpose it has, even if that's just enjoying other people's company.

Juan: That's really good. Abby, can you add a little side note to that?

[2:55]