Commons or gated community? A theoretical explication of virtual community and the example of Craigslist. An explication of theoretical concepts of community, virtual community, the commons, and gatekeeping exemplified by Craigslist. Specifically explored are the following questions: Does the openness of virtual communities threaten the principles on which they are based, creating a tragedy of the virtual commons? Do restrictions on free and open access in virtual communities transform them into the cyberspace equivalent of gated communities?
Is there a more balanced construct of virtual communities that can fulfill their missions as virtual commons while protecting themselves from the tragedy of the commons? Many pioneers of the Internet came of age in the era of social liberation and consciousness-raising of the s.
Exploring and settling the new terrain of cyberspace, they built intentional communities of free expression, knowledge sharing, and inclusiveness, in the hope of developing a utopian Information Society. Succeeding generations of Web entrepreneurs and organizers have also been inspired by these ideals. Thus, the Web has been colonized by virtual communities such as The WELL, content-sharing spaces such as Napster, knowledge communities such as Wikipedia, and social networking sites such as Facebook..
However, as the Internet has matured, cultural, social, economic, legal, and community influences have also had an impact on the development of these virtual communities and virtual networking spaces. The result: this heretofore-open range is being fenced in. The WELL has been acquired by salon.
One of the most popular virtual communities, Craiglist has as its foundation the pioneering, utopian ideals on the Web, and has attempted to strike a balance between the idealism of free expression and the realities of spamming and scamming.
