THE ART OF FRUITFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN A WHATSAPP (WAP) GROUP:

What i write below, are my views, and i remain fully conscious, that suitable changes can be made to improve upon what i write, when so many others contribute with their opinion and inputs.

Having been a member of various WAP groups and observed the activities of members of groups at different times, what is noticeable is the large number of silent group- members, many of whom, I suppose, would be reading the posts even as they desist from writing or sharing. It goes without saying that their active participation is desirable. In addition, after having observed the contents of the posts of various WAP groups, and the posts of members of different groups, I daresay that the likes and dislikes of individual members of the group too are apparent enough, which are sometimes strongly reflected in the expression of views by the members concerned – to the extent that feathers too are ruffled, due to outbursts of emotion.

Good practises and civility go hand in glove with bonhomie amongst friends and, observing the same in the course of an exchange of thoughts adds more warmth to relationships.

I have compiled a list of general advisories for a beneficial and fruitful output from a WAP group. Actions which would be acceptable to the majority, result in sharing of knowledge and information, give pleasure and relaxation to group members, improve one’s expression and vocabulary, without being demeaning, derogatory or abusive to any one. Some useful tips to ensure the above-mentioned goals are enumerated below for consideration, and to suitably amend, keeping in mind that a certain amount of flexibility, knowing that a free exchange of information and expression should not be curtailed by absolute rigidity, so that most of the members feel happy about being part of the group.

(1) The name of the group should normally circumscribe the issues to be discussed in the group. For instance, being a group of doctors working in Dehradun and having passed out from different colleges, it would be natural to have more messages to do with medical science, case scenarios, recent developments, college anecdotes besides other news concerning the profession including personal experiences.

(2) Greetings and condolence messages in the form of information are desirable but to decrease the number of messages, personal messages flowing to and fro between individual members could be sent to the concerned individual’s inbox rather than in the group. Even greetings-messages could be sent to individual inboxes, thereby also giving a more personal touch to relations. No greeting-messages should be posted when condolence messages are being sent and the former can be posted on the personal WAP inbox.
In a group, the number of messages on a day should also not be too many, so that members who have missed out do not find it too difficult to catch up.

(3) Messages and videos without a source, whose contents are dubious, and seemingly aimed at character- assassination are best avoided. They actually do not demean the public figure but are surely more a reflection on the individual who forwards them.

(4) Write-ups by more members on any subject, not excluding any topic, would increase bonhomie amongst group-members and are desirable.

(5) Repeats are best avoided as far as possible, more so for posts with political and religious contents

(6) Sharing of personal experience on any subject, with the intention of benefitting others is desirable.

(7) Music, Jokes, Humour in any form, without being demeaning or derogatory to anyone, and especially public figures, add more life to the group and freshen up the atmosphere.

(7) Being argumentative is not wrong but the tone and tenor should always be within the limits of cultured behaviour. Difference of opinion is understandable on many issues but if no bridging of opinions seems possible, it is best to end on a note of agreeing to disagree rather than make an issue of it. After all we are, mostly on many topics under discussion, ARMCHAIR CRITICS – and our discourse is not going to change history nor be the only reason to change the course of the Nation.