I can see that, but I don't see the negative connotation if it's meant as just saying there are norms, rules, slangs, etc. As long as those are not exclusionary

I can see that, but I don't see the negative connotation if it's meant as just saying there are norms, rules, slangs, etc. As long as those are not exclusionary of outsiders. The latter is how I always thought of gatekeeping, you put in place barriers to entry, so that newcomers have a hard time joining or getting involved, and it maintains your authority within the group or exclusive club. Sometimes it can be murky, over enforcement of rules/norms can be off putting, and scare away newcomers. This is the common complaint on StackOverflow, you're putting yourself out there, asking a dumb question that makes you feel dumb already that you have to ask it, and you're immediately barraged and penalized that it is a duplicate, wasn't worded correctly, and so on, norms that you are new too. Makes you want to never ask a question again.