I started writing this comment by saying that I'm not sure how much I agree with this one, however as I go rambling on I do see the point.

As everyone can see from my home node I'm a Perl newbie.
I've already asked a number of what are probably stupid questions to a couple of my fellow monks who have substantially more experience than I, however I'm learning.
I hate to think that I'm another dreaded unwashed initiate that is poluting the Perl gene pool, but one day I hope to give back to the community, so I hope everyone will help me out until I get to that stage.

I'd like to think that's the difference between a good Monk and a bad one - the wish to one day stand as a saint amoungst mortals, and be able to pass down the knowledge to those that one day hope to be able to do the same thing.
If only the hope, and eventually the ability, to contribute is not the One True Path, then I'm open to suggestions :-)

The reference to Fight Club is a good one however - word of mouth, hearing things through the grapevine is probably the best way of establishing a strong, like minded community.

I think the probably the most important thing regarding the Perl communities I've seen is that not only is the average Perl hacker smart, they're/we're a friendly lot - long may it continue.
The last thing I like to see from a community, no matter how closely knit is the aggressive flaming of newbies who ask Yet Another FAQ. Toast 'em a little, point them to right place in the docs, but keep it gentle! :-)

Just my 2p.

Baz.