April 11, 2007
Blogging Etiquette?
There have been numerous blog entrees regarding blogging etiquette. They range from drastic "codes of conduct" and worry about legal issues over deleting a trollish post to folks that haven't the foggiest what the whole kerfuffle is all about. The Good Professor Reynolds at Instapundit pointed to this article in the New York Times, which linked to Tim O'Reilly's call for a Code of Conduct. More and more bloggers have chimed in with their own ideas because it seems that a lot of commenters on blogs get sometimes really, really nasty (and this is NOT to say that sometimes bloggers don't get nasty too - because sometimes they do). But please, a code of conduct?
Nonsense says I. I have a rules for commenting here and with the first "nasty" comment I get, I'll typically edit out the cursing and give a warning, although I don't always edit it out. After that, the commenter takes his/her chances on being banned. I don't really give a flying fig if they like it or not, let them sue me if they want. I can't afford a lawsuit, but they won't get nothing cause I ain't got nothing. Besides, as I point out, commenting here is not a first amendment right on this blog, it is a privilege. MY BLOG posts are a 1st amendment right. As La Shawn Barber says
"this is my weblog and I pay for the hosting. The First Amendment protects my right to speak on this site, not yours. The amendment prohibits government from infringing on my right of free expression. On this blog, your expression is a privilege. On your own blog, your expression is a right. Learn the distinction."
If a commenter really wants to push it, I'll try to get them to correct their errors of comity, if they don't I'll ban them without a thought. I'd rather have no readers than a rude one. Maybe that is part of our collective problem; we allow other people to be rude without calling them on it.
I've only had to take it to that extreme (banning) a couple of times. It's a pain in the keister to have to do it, but it is better than putting up with a series of nasty trolls or folk that just can't comment without nasty language.
So, if a blogger allows that kind of stuff on his/her blog and doesn't attempt to clean up their own property, I guess that says something about the blogger.
Isn't responsibility neat?
Posted by GM Roper at April 11, 2007 08:59 PM | TrackBackWell said. I read that NYT article AND the link to the Code of Conduct page. It was SO long I got bored and went away. LOL...each blogger rules their own nest. They reap what they sow and so it shall be. The extreme cases where bloggers are threatened and harassed can and should be law enforcement issues, not blogger issues.
Having said this, I do need to formulate my own set of **rules** for commenting at my site...haven't done that YET.
Posted by Raven at April 11, 2007 08:36 PM
Well I'll be ******, just who the **** do you think you are you stuffed shirt ***??
You act like you ******** own the ******* place or some ******** **** or the other...
How dare you ******* edit any ******** comments you one way *******?? I demand to speak to the ******* owner of this ******* place, your ******* ***** attitude ain't gonna ******* cut it, you ******** hear me you ****head??
Sorry GM, LMAO, I couldn't resist... I pretty much do the same thing on my blog as well, although I don't have anywhere near the aplomb you have, you great big benevolent guy you... :)
Posted by TexasFred at April 11, 2007 08:38 PM
Yep - We often reap what we sow. IF we post heavy with *@(@* words - We get *@(!* back! I often laugh at people who complain about the "fruits" of their labor AFTER they've bravely used even uglier words themselves!
I also find that the "troll stuff" comes from people who won't even take the time to create a blog of their own! Phony names, phony sentiment, people forcing you to say things, spam, gratuitous statements, surface "molly-mire" with no substance. We all get it!
I believe in E-Mail - I would have written to you about this in pretty much the same way I post this comment. This way it can be read (or NOT) and tossed or handled. (why many people moderate their comments) After years of wanting the chatter of comments and only getting *@(@* and "gee I have to comment" junk - I've decided to turn off the comments altogether - I enjoy spending my time traveling to other people's sites instead of verbal volley ball with people who are not really interested in anything I've written. TRUE INTEREST will be shared in an e-mail.
ALSO, often people comment in ways that should be sent in the E-Mail. Personal criticism and comments should be in the E-Mail - opinions on a post belong directly with the post.
IF someone has taken the time to visit and I'm not enjoying the company - I take the time to tell them why in an honest E-Mail. Yet, in this way - if you don't get rough - you end up with a mutual "whine" fest!
IF and when you have something negative to say - it should be on your OWN blog and you can notify the person/people in question and they can choose to read it (or NOT). (Did this once in an area where no one other than the intended would read it then killled the "temp" free blog)
Putting this "junk" on a blog that is not yours is similar to someone going to a person's "home" and breaking the windows and dumping on the floor when you should have sent the "letter" instead.
Posted by chrys at April 12, 2007 12:16 PM
I absolutely agree that the first amendment protects the owner and not those who comment and are not owners. Now I will disagree that with the idea that most comments should be sent in an email to the individual. The wonderful effect of the internet is that it has increased discussion. It has become the agora, or the forum of the 21st century. Now keeping your thoughts to the interpersonal level is about as useful as reporters that have been given scripted questions to ask in a press conference.
By allowing others to comment on subjects on your blog you allow the free flow of thought. You may not agree, but as long as they are civil they should be allowed to share their thoughts just like you have shared yours.
I enjoy posting on political blogs, but don't feel the need to be the owner of one. So my hat is off to GM for allowing us to post both left and right wing nuts. ;)
Posted by psyberwolfe at April 13, 2007 09:29 PM
