Pathways & Privileges - Idea for you to view & Feedback requested!

one of my cousins is a Girl Scout Leader, and THEY know all about badges... i like badges to represent competentcies. so, if i keep working now, i go from Newbie, to Novice, to Beginner, and so on to Verified Listener. then i can apply for the Training for Room Supporter. eventually if i like, i can apply for the Training for Mod... i like this straight forward progression of Learn, Practice, Get Badge. the reward for getting a Badge IS the Badge~! so, ok, maybe there is a special Badge Path Support Discussion, for each level of competency or something.. but let it be related to gaining in competency, and not a Game token or Font Color~!

also, i would like to see my own 'Labels' in chat, just like i can see everyone elses~! i miss not knowing ...

Gamification and pathways come up from time to time at 7 Cups, and here they are again.

My overarching concern with these kinds of proposals is that they don't appear to solve any real problem, while there are real problems we could solve if we directed development resource towards solving them.

For example, I've read recently about the real problems that teams have communicating and planning without offsite contact. We could solve that by developing collaboration tools within 7 Cups, so that no one ever needs a special Gmail account in order to participate fully in the community.

And, for example, I've read recently about the real problems members have when listeners abandon chats. We could solve that by developing a chat monitor that detects abandoned chats automatically and flags the listener.

On gamification, specifically, I still think the down side is that it distracts from the real purpose of 7 Cups. Supporting troubled people can be hard work, and when there's an emphasis on scoring points it encourages everyone in the community to go for the points, drawing our energy away from the real work.

I support the idea of badges for competencies that @GustyOne4U has mentioned. For example, having 5 published reviews shows that a listener is competent. But more reviews just shows the listener kept doing the same thing for a long time. At least one of our listeners has received more than 1,000 published written reviews, and to me such an outstanding achievement speaks for itself without requiring a badge.

On pathways, I still think that rigid pathways are another distraction. About 2 years ago, when this idea came up, I drew a diagram showing my journey at 7 Cups. The points I made then, still true now, are that 7 Cups is just a small part of my journey, and that 7 Cups doesn't get to determine where my journey takes me.

On privilege, I think in general privilege is corrosive in a community. Its flip side is stigma. I do not want to feel that our newest member or listener, bravely taking that first step, is deliberately underprivileged in any way in relation to anyone else here.

Once upon a time our values here at 7 Cups said this about privilege:

It is a privilege to help another person through a challenging time in their life. The person seeking help gives the listener a gift without realizing it.

Let's not try to substitute artificial e-privileges for this greatest privilege we have at 7 Cups. Let's identify real problems we want to solve and not just tinker with stuff. Let's celebrate competencies, not point-scoring.

I am trying to understand this but honestly I am not lol. sorry I dont get it...

I think whatever works works.. so do what ya gotta do :)

Those of us that did the training for the new roles as room supporter didnt get a badge I am not sure if there is one or one was never made up? I got the title in 2 rooms and have been working in them since i became one also I am now taking on another room . I did ask about the badges for this and I was told No badges so how is that we that are now there helping the rooms and being a Mod back up and I actully like it!! The mods are so busy doing all they have to do too keep their role as a Mod that they can not do the rooms all day everyday. I dont feel once someone works for a position and gets a badge should have their badge removed either because they did earn that badge.... I was told they could be taken away so I only know what I have been told is that true?

Nothing at all wrong with people wanting to strive to do better and earn more badges and whatever is done here its cool with me . Badges are not what defines us... we are pretty awesome people to be here working for Free and helping out !! very rewarding to make a difference in peoples lives and also help ourselve in the process.

I will add yes make the badges brighter I like brigh colors :)

Peace

TDB :)

not a bad idea, but this might make people just want to monetize badges even more.

personally, i already find too many people who only do this (or do that) on 7 cups for the earning of badges... which, to me, defeats the point.

anyhow, curious on what privilege this refers to.

@LauraKeep it going !! Good idea!!