Is community the cure?

Even before the internet, society has struggled with how to deal with bad actors. This is why laws were created.

The internet has provided a new space for bad actors to practice their craft and flourish. Online they are often called trolls, these people with anti-social tendencies may engage in general harassment of individuals, inciting hate against groups of people, vandalism of digital property, theft through deception or fraud, spreading misinformation and disinformation and other socially destructive behaviors.

The issue is far from solved and yet we are rushing to create more immersive worlds with stronger ties to our personal and financial lives.

The issue cannot be solved by a single approach but should be addressed through a variety of methods.

Social media platforms have a great deal of power and insight into patterns of activity. They have the responsibility to act to mitigate bad behavior, to the point of informing law enforcement if necessary but top down control cannot manage everyday activities without inspiring fear and resentment.

Community moderation is a solution that has been a part of the internet from the beginning but struggles to scale in step with the growth of networks. We need to encourage and develop systems that allow responsible moderation of communities by members who have a vested interest in the health and success of the community.

These systems and behaviors can be modeled through fictional portrayal.

How would you demonstrate a functional digital society where citizens both have benefits and responsibility?