Nathan Exposed » Common Courtesy in Bloggerville

[ This post is not directed at anyone on my blog, or anything about me. It’s really just a sharing of ideas. ]

I love the concept of blogging because it’s something anyone with a computer can do. All you need is an e-mail address and you’re ready to go; ready to share your unique personality, ideas, experiences, and feelings with the world.

Some people treat their blogs like a forum. They want it to be an ongoing conversation with other people, and they do so in the comments section. Since that’s what they want, that’s what they do.

Other people look at blogging as a way to express themselves and their story. It isn’t necessarily a priority to interact with other readers or have a conversation or debate. Again, since that’s what they want, that’s what they do.

Neither one of these scenarios is “right” or “wrong”. There is no rule book when it comes to blogging, just like their is no rule book to being human. You create your own rules, and you live by them. Sometimes your way of living will not align with how others live. Whenever two things don’t align, it causes tension. One person’s way of thinking does not “fit” with another’s, and that can cause misunderstandings.

It’s okay to disagree with how someone else runs their blog. Tension is a natural part of the human experience.

But the downside of blogging is that sometimes we can take things personally when they aren’t. We can automatically assume that a person is snubbing us when that really isn’t the case. That can lead to saying things that are cruel and untrue about the person.

I find that most people have a difficult time sitting face to face and saying cruel things to a perfect stranger. But online, they feel uninhibited and just let the insults fly.

While there are no rules to blogging, nor life, I do think that most people can agree that being kind is the ultimate act of being human. We don’t have to be kind, we don’t have to play nice. But when we spend all our energy saying hurtful things about other people, what we’re really doing is hurting ourselves.

Hate breeds more hate. In that sense, you are actually bringing more negativity into your life, and punishing yourself for the anger you feel towards others. Do you want to punish yourself?

You may disagree, and that’s fine, because that all is covered in what I said in the opening paragraphs about creating your own rules. But I do have a challenge for you. Look at your life (and your blog). Do you spend a lot of time talking trash about other people, who you don’t even really know?

If the answer is “yes”, ask yourself why you do it. Does it make you feel better about yourself? Does it make you the person you really want to be? And if it doesn’t make you feel good, the cure is simple - stop doing it.

Stop today, and you’ll start to feel better immediately. When we are kind to others, even when their personalities don’t align with our own, we are not only being a better blogger, but we are also being better humans.

For anyone reading this who may feel the need to be cruel on their blog, I wish you the peace and the strength to let go of it all. You deserve better, and so do the people you’re talking about.

Blessings to you.

Tue, Jun 26, 2007 @ 9:41 pm | Filed in Blogs | Permalink

8 Comments

Right on!

Posted by DanNation on Tue, Jun 26, 2007 @ 11:32 pm

If only there was some way to tell to whom this post was directed…

Posted by jester on Wed, Jun 27, 2007 @ 6:09 am

I agree wholeheartedly. Negativity breeds negativity. Sadly sometimes it’s too easy to be negative.

Posted by Rey Rey on Wed, Jun 27, 2007 @ 8:17 am

I totally agree!! The way people write on the Internet about other people is really disturbing; like it’s okay to say things online that you wouldn’t in person. It’s sad.

Posted by kkoldewyn on Wed, Jun 27, 2007 @ 10:01 am

Man, you’ve just sort of layed it out here for us, haven’t you? Good thing I’m not curious or interested in who it’s directed at. It doesn’t matter. Good points, all well taken. It is, however, hard for me to try and make others see my points or observations when I expect the very same from them. It’s difficult to ask them to “change” or “be different” when I expect them to accept me for exactly who I am. Good and bad. Excellent thoughts and heart-felt sharing.

Posted by Lewis on Wed, Jun 27, 2007 @ 10:48 am

I conld not agree more with you. I stopped blogging this year because of the hate filled comments and the arguing that went on and on. It was not what I wanted and I am trying to redefine my blog because of that.

PS I really enjoy reading your blog. I can’t wait each day for any new posts. Keep it up.

Posted by DJ on Wed, Jun 27, 2007 @ 5:24 pm

So true. I try not to belittle people. I feel really free to belittle ideas and attitudes, or social trends, but I hope I never personalize them.

Posted by DEL on Wed, Jun 27, 2007 @ 10:44 pm

I have had 2 blogs now with 2 entirely different formats. Though I preferred the first…the second is much safer in terms of me NOT living in fear. I love blogging and it is good to be back.

Posted by scotty on Mon, Jul 2, 2007 @ 1:27 pm