Manners
Isn’t it really all just about manners?
Commenting, I mean. Doesn’t being a ‘good’ discussion partner include the ability to listen to the others you are speaking with, and respond in an appropriate way?
More and more I find the comments lapsing into jabs, point scoring, and insults that have nothing to do with the discussion at hand. I think it is offensive when someone’s only response to another is to personally insult the other, or to state that the other is a part of some group sharing some common and horrible trait. (“sounds like a good republican platform you can add to racism for the next go round”) That kind of stuff would have me pulling my hair out, if I had any.
Taking shots at people’s personal lives, or their beliefs isn’t particularly amusing and it sure isn’t clever. You’re simply being a jerk. If you are so absolutely sure that every single political position you choose is so absolutely beyond cavil that anyone who offers an opposing position is worthy of name calling and belittling, well, that really speaks for itself, doesn’t it? It really has no place here and, to be honest, I’m tired of it. It just isn’t any fun. (If that’s your cup of tea, you can go pollute your own little corner of the internet. It is free, you know.)
I like it when new people join the discussion and add different perspectives. It doesn’t mean I have to disagree or agree with them, I just like to hear what they have to say. When someone offers a new idea and your only response is a potshot, that doesn’t say much for you, does it?
A range of alternative actions is open to me, from banning comments outright to moderating comments, to requiring some sort of registration and identification. Hell, I could just go dark.
I’m going to do something. It just isn’t any fun.
You’re bald?
OK – couldn’t resist. I am mean to Knight, who is mean to me. I promise to take it out back.
These are discouraging days, friend Rob. Civil politics and topics normally not politicized seem to have gone the way of the buggy whip or maybe even GM. Don’t do anything too drastic. Don’t act like our leftist friends.
Gregg, as you know other blog owners read yours and return to their own to cheer and snipe. See:
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4&20 blackbirds
A journal of Montana politics and culture
Wulfgar! Goes There So You Don’t Have To
February 18, 2009 in Media, Missoulian, Racism, Regressives, Tribal issues
by jhwygirl
Don’t miss his latest take-down of Professor Rob Natelson.
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The rabid far left are on a crusade which involves personal destruction. They come to your blog to harvest material to display the quality of their thought.
Gregg, snap out of your blue funk and act to seize the opportunity.Transcend the BS and craft a bug zapper policy. Move forward with rich, provocative content.
Shaved, Mark, not bald!
As a blog lurker and occasional commenter I would like to see a small amount of moderating comments.
I just get annoyed when this stuff descends into quibbling. I think a better effort needs to be made to stay on topic and not get hung up on semantics.
Besides demolishing liberal mythology, one of my favorite pastimes is making conservatives do the Politically Correct Jig.Maybe you could dance somewhere else?
One of the most effective coyote lure is the plastic magpie with the built in caller. You put it up in the tree after turning it on and sit and wait for the “Big Dog” to arrive. Always tagging along is additional magpies, until of course, the shot rings out.
I was thinking those experiences resembled blogging here. Some birds show up and start chattering, bringing eventually the big prize. Whether or not the hunt has success is immaterial, the prey will always return to its hole and howl.
Gregg Smith– Your adolescent behavior is seriously undermining your credibility.This is my little place on the web. Why do you think you have the right to come here and insult me? Start your own blog.
Greg,
I really like your style and tolerance.
Maybe you started this blog because it is “fun” or a hobby but it has trancended into something important and as the blogs creator you have become personally important to our community.
Unfortunatly it is all to human and common to carry on with the traits that may have served us well as primative tribal clans. The march tword civility and understanding will not come without sacrifice and effort.
Those who can not moderate themselves are just as much a part of our society as those who can so what can we do except identify who is on board with progress through civil dialog and who is not.
It would also help if no one responded to “pot shots”
Keep it up Greg, Try what you must but keep it up.
Thank you.
Gregg Smith– This is a public place. Lock the door if you like and go private.
In the meantime, acting like a retard with a crayon will only make you look bad.
Public? Hardly. Go away.
Careful, Gregg. You’re starting to sound like I did not terribly long ago.
For my part in taking your joy, I apologize. I endeavor very hard not to be rude to you. I truly enjoy and appreciate what you bring to the table. In deference to your website, I have been attempting a detente with your blogging partner. I will not be overtly rude to him here; I will save that for my own venue. If he mistakes my lack of respect on this site for rudeness, that is his affair. In the spirit of balance, I would point out that his rather clumsy lack of respect for audience leaves him in the same boat as myself regarding etiquette. If he or others have their own ideas of what is polite in blogging, then I suggest they not leave this website, and certainly refrain from being silly enough to bring distant conversation here. That is simply another type of trolling, which some of your commenters seem doggedly determined to do.
I can’t thank you enough for realizing that Checker/Knight/Rook is simply another troll, determined to destroy and denigrate any conversation it enters. I would point out to some that angry or ill-mannered response on topic is always preferable to manipulation of the desires of others. Those of us who have no difficulties sowing discord often understand that there is a point to it. Those who sow disgust have nothing save that, for their opponents or the venue in which they spew it, just so long as it costs someone else and themselves nothing.
Checker/Knight/Rook does have one tiny little point, near and dear to its black little heart. Casting something to the InterTubes does make it public. As you clearly understand, that does not mean that the caster owes the public a response on his own private property. But response is always possible, and that’s why trolls spend great energy, effort and money to remain as hidden as possible. (And just for the dim, no, I am not suggesting that all anonymous comments are trolls.) They don’t want response, contrary to common wisdom. They want to feed whatever fantasy they have in their heads, and know that they have power to manipulate others with it. It has been my experience that the best way to deal with them is to change their words. Your property, your bits. Change their comments to random quotes from Alice in Wonderland and you’ll be amazed at how quickly they give up. They will not be able to attach their will to power to your effort, and that is actually a response they can’t abide. Take that or leave it.
I like that idea, Wulfgar. Thanks.
Yeah, good advice. Thanks, Wulfgar. You’re awesome.
Shorter Wulfgar: Knight 1 has to go away.
Did I say that I think Wulfgar is awesome? I don’t know if that really conveys the true depth of my feelings toward him…he’s wonderful.
It is partly due to lack of good manners, and partly due to the unfortunate current trend to demonize opposing points of view and the adherents and philosophies of the opposing political party, and partly due to the fact that some of the people who love to debate thus publicly lack the objectivity and intellectual capability to debate effectively and civilly, and the nature of an un- or lightly modded blog is such that the ordinary social consequences of their ignorance and rudeness in face-to-face society – being disassociated with and ignored – do not occur.
I do not think that it ought to make one feel uncomfortable about restricting free speech when one requires the commentors on one’s own blog to conform to minimum levels of civility, or even objectivity, or intellectual and communication ability or relevance, as one is merely applying one’s social host prerogative to the internet salon, as it were.
I am certain that Madame Recamier would approve.
From the “Flame Warrior” website:
Troller:
Troller is looking for a response…ANY response, and he will chum the waters with complaints, insults, compliments, and inflammatory tidbits hoping that someone…ANYONE, will take the bait. Generally quite harmless – practices a form of catch and release. Nonetheless, he can upset the delicate ecology of a discussion forum. Once a forum becomes aware of his presence, however, all feeding activity ceases and Troller must move on to more promising waters.