Do You Censor?

communication should be open and ongoing... free exchange of ideas and thoughts without adverse judgement....  it really should be ok to agree to disagree and just let it be...  thanks for the thoughtful post!

Hi Bob --  In most cases, I typically self-censor because I know I have a snarky side that can be mis-understood.   I'm very aware this is a public forum(even when labeled members only) so I try to remain mindful of that but I'm sure there have been comments I have made that have found their way to the virtual circular file.  I guess I don't pay much attention to it.  

Great post!  I agree, if we put ourselves out there, we shouldn't be opposed to hearing points of view different than ours.  Agreeing to disagree is fine.  However, I do feel that there are some things that are inappropriate and people shouldn't go overboard making obscene comments.  

 Good morning Bob. I have to agree with Deborah that communication should be open and free exchange of ideas on both sides. I do have to agree with the others -  very thoughtful post.

Differing opinions and spirited discussions can be fun and enlightening.  When someone writes something that comes across as offensive or nasty, people can respond or ignore it.  In nearly all cases, deleting is an error.

On a side note Michael Jacobs, snarky is one of my favorite words.  I can and do resemble that word.  A good, lightheated dose of snark can sometimes be misinterpreted, especially in writing. 

Now I know why we are on Active Rain. With the emphasis on active. Roy's post today about manners seems particularly apt. Debate should not degenerate into rudeness and people should not delete comments they don't lik

I just say what's on my mind and an honest.  I don't go out of my way to be nasty or rude, but if I don't agree, I don't agree.   If someone wants to delete a comment or unsubscribe from my blog because of it, it's their choice.  We can't always please everyone.

Thanks for sharing this story. I have probably been censored as well without even knowing it.

I have tried to be careful with comments when I do not agree with a blog or some of the comments. 

Bob, As a general rule I don't delete any comments. I do disagree from time to time, but that is the purpose of a controversial post. Get the conversation going. If my opinion can't withstand the comments of others, then maybe something is wrong with my opinion. On the other-hand maybe there is something wrong with their opinion.

I did have one of my comments deleted by someone I thought of as a friend. But you know what. A friend wouldn't have done that, so I completely stopped reading this person's posts.

Bill Roberts

BTW I "belong" to a private group on FB that doesn't tolerate any opposing views. It is very frustrating. I don't participate as much now as I did in the beginning. Their loss, not mine.

I have no idea if I've ever been censored or not but I have deleted a few comments on blogs that I have written which were extremely sexists, attacking, and completely unrelated to the blog topic. I don't mind someone disagreeing with me however, I do mind if they aren't respectful enough to keep it professional. I don't have any problem deleting comments but I've never unfollowed someone because of it. We also have to be mindful that these posts, for the most part, will be seen and read by our target audiences who will also see the comments. The last thing we should be doing is writing comments that cause a neutral party to cringe and leave a bad impression on an otherwise good blog. 

Hi Bob -

I think there are instances of comments being removed that wouldn't qualify as actually being censorship. Blatantly offensive comments, attacks on persons rather than ideas, shameless self-promotion including links are all out of line with the community guidelines. Further, we should be respectful of posts that were written for an outside audience, and shouldn't interfere with efforts to enhance a member's business.

Of the handful of comments I have deleted over the years, only one wasn't a link to someone's web page, but was abusive and way out of line - and not to me, but to another commenter.

The only thing I delete is spam.  People are entitled to their opinions.  I've yet to have anyone here express a dissenting opinion in such a rude way (bad language or hostile) that I felt I had to delete it.

I only delete spam. I've sure had my feelings hurt and felt misunderstood a time or two, but I would never delete someone, nor would I un-subscribe. Unless somebody was just plain mean. :)

I've been blogging here on ActiveRain since 2008.  Other than spam, I have only deleted a couple comments to my blogs, in all that time.  I would rather keep it real, and let the words speak for themselves!

Hello Bob,

As with most of the other comments, I have only censored Spam.  But if  something was too off-color or offensive that might have to go too...it would just depend on the commen

Interesting topic; my comment is different than it would have been 2 weeks ago.

There was an incident in my neighborhood; a neighbor worked to get the incident discussed in a citywide blog; she was successful in having the author shine light on the issue.

Within 24 hours, the blog went completely crazy.  By the end of it, I think they were discussing whether the earth revolves around the sun. You can understand the name calling went to the most base characteristics of age/gender/color/income/orientation.

I was appalled at that discussion and quickly stopped adding my voice.

Foolish me, I thought Active Rain was blogging, but now I realize this is mosty a very civilized genteel professional board.  The few instances you've seen....ignore and move on.  As you pointed out, you've got lots of friends here.