So I want to share some of my perspective on this topic and your musings on value.
I think one aspect I want to draw attention is the difference between these two consecutive lines:
These are two very different questions that are both really relevant in this space as we learn how to talk about quality, impact, and value together.
One piece of mindful etiquette we’ve tried to embody and remind ourselves of thus far is: “we talk about contributions not contributors.”
This doesn’t mean that we’re completely omitting the value of an individual, but points to how we are trying to talk about value in the space. When we talk about measuring the value of an individual, it can be really harmful; and frankly, who’s to say how valuable an individual is? Talking about the quality and impact -and therefore value- of a contribution has often yielded much more constructive and helpful conversations.
And I think the difference is perfectly illustrated in the two questions you ask above. This Discourse topic could never capture the value of you as a person. You are so much more nuanced and expansive than a single snapshot of your experience.
If we instead focus on the value of this contribution it becomes more potent.
The contribution intended is a glimpse into the world of a newcomer. The confusion, the connection, the assumptions, the thrills, the challenges; the communication of your experience.
So if the contribution’s goal is to communicate: improve an understanding of the newcomer experience, to provide some camaraderie to fellow newcomers; then we can examine it’s quality based on how well the topic does that.
If the contribution of this perspective helps to improve our onboarding flows, or if it helps other newcomers feel safer in sharing their perspectives in their own discourse topics; that’s a tangible impact that we can tie back to this contribution.
Both of those things quality and impact are ways we can stimulate conversation and measurement around what creates value in this community.
I believe every human is valuable. Sometimes it takes time for a valuable person to learn the right way to make a valuable contribution based on the context of the community they’re in.
Not trying to make any big conclusions here, these are just the thoughts that were stimulated by what you wrote. 