Guests, hosts and landlords

The landlord acts like he owns the place, because he does. The landlord makes the rules and has the power to enforce them.

The host acts on behalf of those that are being served. “Gracious” is the goal.

And guests realize that they’re in a fortunate position and try not to abuse it.

As Dave Winer has pointed out, the web has no owner. We’re all guests, except when we have a chance to be a host. Acting like a landlord is counter to what makes the whole thing work.

The same might be true for the places you hang out as well.