"Stirring the pot"

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"Stirring the pot"

Is "stirring the pot" a bad thing? Is stirring the pot on your ActiveRain blog a bad thing?

Someone commented on Rich Jacobson's recent post "In my last post, I tried VERY hard to say what I needed to say, without stirring the pot."

hmmmm as if "stirring the pot" is a bad thing. Rich's post is referring to one of the ActiveRain Community Guidelines.

Phrase Finder is a web site (UK so some phrases sounds a bit different) where you can find phrases like "stirring the pot"

"sitting on the fence"

"pig in a poke"...

"letting the cat out of the bag"

You can ask about a phrase on the Phrase Finder forum or look up what a phrase means... I looked up "stirring the pot" after seeing that comment on Rich's post

"Posted by Bob on January 02, 2001

In Reply to: Stir the pot posted by Patty on January 02, 2001

: What does the phrase "to stir the pot" generally mean? And does it mean to be in some way deliberately provocative or irritating? Thanks. - Patty

Deliberately provocative, yes, but not necessarily maliciously. Picture a pot of soup. A lot of ingredients have settled to the bottom, out of sight, until stirred. Metaphorically, a lot of issues/resentments/obligations can drop out of sight when nobody mentions them. One can "stir the pot" to bring issues to the surface, sometimes with malice, but sometimes merely to create awareness and effect change."

The comment on Rich J's recent post "Free Speech has a Cost"- The ActiveRain Community Guidelines Re-Visited said "say what I needed to say, without stirring the pot." hmmmm as if "stirring the pot" is a bad thing. Rich's post is refers to the ActiveRain Community Guideline (A good thing, a necessary thing):

"We encourage free speech and defend everyone's right to express unpopular points of view. But we don't permit hate speech which contains slurs or the malicious use of stereotypes intended to attack or demean a particular gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or nationality."

I believe Rich revisted that guideline now since comments left anonymously on an ActiveRain members post were found to be criminal....

Do you ever stir the pot on your blog? Can you recognize "stirring the pot" on ActiveRain and in the blogosphere when you see it?

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Posted by Maureen McCabe Columbus Ohio real estate on 08/14/2008 11:01 AM

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47 Comments on "Stirring the pot"

AUG

2008

I would never, ever stir the pot on my blog.

That's what commenting on other blogs is for...

Sometimes the pot doesn't need to be stirred. But it is stirred just to create a stir. My favorite stirring the pot line is a line which basically states we are not stirring the pot when we say this. "We hold these truths to be self evident,,,," I love that. Boy did they stir the pot by saying hey this is the way things are. Nice post thanks

Shucks. I stir the pot regularly.

Add a dash of zest. Toss in a spoonful of spice. Stir the pot.

Let it simmer and pretty soon you'll have something worth savoring.

Mike your vegtables, meat, etc. are on the bottom?

Charlie I never thought about THAT phrase.

Lenn why I was just on one of your posts reading a comment and thinking about stirring the pot.

Hmmm...

An example: If a blog author asks for opinions or other such responses, and I reply, and it isn't what they want to hear (I don't agree with him/her or I have a different opinion) then is that differing opinion "stirring the pot?".

If it is, then yes I stir the pot. At times.

If I'm writing an article and only want "Yes I agree with you!" responses then perhaps I'd better state so in the post.

However, I fully agree with Rich in that there are some areas you just shouldn't touch on at all. Thankfully, most here do not go there and shouldn't.

Kris You and Mike are thinking of it from the point of view of comments which makes perfect sense... especially with what Rich is talking about... I thought of it more from the point of view of posting rather than commenting.

I am NOT as comfortable stirring the pot in a comment on another members post especially on ActiveRain except with people I know and people who have demonstrated they aren't going to feel personally attacked if someone shares an opinion that is not 100% in agreement with them.

Someone said I don't "sit on the fence" recently on a post I wrote. Usuallty I "stir the pot" on things like the "GPTFS" comment... big issues. It is amazing how you can get AR members stirred up, on things like that....

I am not saying that posts or comments should NOT follow Rich's guideline... the stirring the pot comment is just on Rich's reminder, that we can't whine we've been denied free speech if we "attack or demean a particular gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or nationality."

I think the pot should be stirred tastefully. I know who can handle disagreement and who cannot.

Maureen

I wanted to comment on something you had blogged on while I was in Sacramento visiting my activerain staging friend. I do believe staging is not everywhere, and in fact it was crazy how that is the big thing out there. I myself was always of the influence to tell my Sellers to clen up their house.More importantly, I rather take pride in being a hayseed.

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

I think some of the best blogs are when the pot is being stirred. not always the bloggers intention, but occasionally the topic hits a nerve and it is the difference of opinions that make for fun, and for some great learning experience.

Renee I am not big into debate but I like to get conversations started.

Tom Ah ha! I was "stirring the pot" about staging... topics I've used to "stir the pot" personally. "PointsWhores", the GPTFS comment, Zillow... what should NOT be allowed on ActiveRain..., my pet peeves... on of the funniest was about "Google juice"

To induce or elicit a reaction or emotion, what the heck fun would it be if we were not doing that???

Wellllll. Stirring the pot can be a good thing, if it is done intentionally. Kind of a "controlled stir" that fuels friendly debate. Stirring the pot by shooting off our mouths, without a lot of thought behind it? Not such a good thing. And even if we intend to be controversial - I still think we are better off keeping it light and friendly. More people will participate if it doesn't feel hostile to them.

I have a colleague who uses the phrase "stir the pot" to reference keeping buzz and momentum going on a property for sale. That's a great thing.

Maureen - I actually read a comment once from a guy here in the Rain who said he writes his posts so that he can have heated, controversial discussions on his blog. He said it keeps people coming back for more. And the more controversial the topic, the better, he said. I think that's awful. Spurring conversations is one thing. Being deliberately confrontational is something else entirely, don't you think?

~Renae

thanks all for the comments

Frank or Jodi I like "To induce or elicit a reaction or emotion"

Renae if that works for him on his blog I am all for it. Only blog I have any control of on ActiveRain is my own.. lots of ActiveRain is so boring, it probably all balances out in the end. I would personally rather see that then him having to visit other blogs to stir up controversy. He probably has his list of people who he spars with regularly, where they choose to hang out, his bar or theirs, is their choice IMHO...

The "bubble blogs" are a great example of pot stirring. There are a few real estate blogs that may not be my cup of tea but are good example of being confrontational and being paid handsomly for it with traffic.

Thanks for the link to Bob's post, which led to the news story. Wow. Well, I'm glad they caught the guy. Libel is a nasty thing, and I'm glad he didn't get away with it - but I sure wish they'd thrown the book at him harder.

As for stirring the pot, sure, there are agents who very much like to be provocative. Most just get us thinking, or maybe even get our heart rate up from time to time. Some cross the line, though, and while "making their point" manage to hurt others. Not good.

Golly, Maureen,

I was "...thinking...?" That hadn't occurred to me. I was supremely caffeinated and I figure I was :D -ing. A la: :D

Shucks, that's the problem with being an icon. People have expectations of me.

(Segue to serious...)

My thought: You are so right that attacking people in a blog or comment, slandering people, and abusing people is not protected free speech. Difficult topics can be addressed without tearing people up needlessly, without hate speech, etc.

Mary how do you deal with those you feel are over the line? Ignore them or react?

There's a big difference between a personal attack and a post that we may not agree with.

I think that Mike's "My thought: You are so right that attacking people in a blog or comment, slandering people, and abusing people is not protected free speech. Difficult topics can be addressed without tearing people up needlessly, without hate speech, etc." Should go without saying...

I don't think Rich should have to remind us that "But we don't permit hate speech which contains slurs or the malicious use of stereotypes intended to attack or demean a particular gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or nationality."

occasionally you'll see something on AR that does attack or demean

a sexual orientation

a race

a religion (and it doesn't just say some religions either....)

or a nationality

The guy (ActiveRain member) who was charged and convicted on libel, it was for comments and it was because of the bloggers nationality? The member he libeled is an immigrant. Some states that could have been a hate crime, I believe. They were anonymous comments.

Do I stir the pot? I hope so. There is a decided difference between stirring the pot and being hateful, demeaning, slanderous or libelous.

Is someone suggesting being hateful, mean, slanderous or libelous? Thanks for the comment, JoEllen I will have to stop by and visit your blog.

If anyone wants to add a link to their blog showing a "stirring the pot" post please do.

The pro hateful, slanderous, libelous group (and it would be an itty bitty minority wouldn't it?) probably won't raise their hands.

Maureen, OMG, I just read the link to Bob's post and read Rich's. I had no idea someone had their license revoked.

When I first started blogging the only blog I had ever read was Property Grunt. A popular NYC real estate blog by an anonymous real estate broker who stirred the pot and named names. To this day I don't know who he is (maybe he sits next to me in my office)

I thought that was what blogging was about. Writing war stories, outing bad agents. etc. Thank god I discovered A/R and never went that route. Besides I use my real name.

I blog as a marketing tool. Stirring the pot is OK as long as it isn't hateful or slanderous. I've written a few that have stirred the pot about local issues. My stand on coop flip taxes and about coops being accountable. It turns out they are posts with "legs" I've been invited to speak at coop boards and have had requests from board members to reprint my posts. Who knew!

Mitchell you said something long, long ago very early in the history of AR that scared me... about the direction your blog would take. About outing agents.

I used to read Property Grunt long, long ago....

Yes, Maureen I remenber. Thank you for not letting me go there! I think it was my first comment on AR.

WOW you made a big first impression with me with your first comment.

I emailed Mitchell the long ago AR post he was my muse for.

The fella who had his license revoked really got a slap on the wrist, he faced prison and up to a $50K? fine for libel.

The former broker of the real estate agent who is being sued by the developer in Florida was interviewed somewhere and one of his recommendations for real estate bloggers, was don't talk (blog) about people. He's looking at real estate blogging from a liabliity point of view... not hey I can get a lot of traffic if I name drop or I can get a lot of traffic if tell this compelling dramatic story.

Maureen, Glad my comment inspired your post. I was so new to blogging and NYC is dog -eat-dog in real estate. I was probably furious about an unethical broker I was dealing with at the time. I'm happy to say I've never mentioned other agents in my blog unless I'm giving them a plug. I went the opposite direction and write primarily about neighborhoods, buildings, local news and market reports.

This is an interesting post.

Most of the time when we see someone here on AR stirring the pot it looks as if they are doing it to get a reaction or to get points. In most cases though we can't say that we have seen anything good or postitive come from it.

Mitchell all I can say is I am glad you reassesed blogging.

I found the whole conversation on one of Scott Daniels posts in August 2006. I did not realize I commented about a zillion times... being overbearing and obnoxious.... "NO NO Mitchell... do not become Property Grunt II!"

NYC is a whole different kettle of fish (I think in little trite phrases... maybe it needs stirring. I thought people knew who P. Grunt is....

I won't ask Patty or Scott for examples of what she / he thinks stirring the pot is since to them it is obviously a negative, not nice.... "have not seen anything good or positive from it."

Doing it to get a reaction or points? .... but of course they are doing it to get a reaction.... what's the point of the meat and vegtables laying on the bottom of the pot

I am more llikely to "stir the pot" with an industry/peer targeted post on Active Rain, than I am on my "other blog". I tend to keep my other blog a little boring and bland so everyone can enjoy taking a sip, with my opinions and/or bias only showing through occasionally.

Over at Bloodhound, I am encouraged to stir the pot, - I guess that is where I let my controversial and hopefully thought provoking side out.

I like cooking and enjoy stirring the pot as much as possible.

Michelle My other blog is much more boring... but I think I still try to be provocative... and my content for consumers on ActiveRain is always going to be very, very boring I am sure... but I think lots of real esate bloggers are so afraid that they might seem "not nice" or "not positive" that they are boring....

you kids at BHB stir the pot.

Tim It is important to stir the pot.... if you can enjoy it, so much the better.

Good example of someone who is not so into being nice and looking positive that can stir the pot when she is blogging to consumers? Chris Griffith.

Maureen I just found Scott's post and our string of comments. You were right not obxoxious. I was naive. What was I thinking?

My last comments on that post sums up why I never have written about agents or buyers or sellers.

Maureen, I promise to let you know when I have a bad agent blog. So far the ones I've worked with this year have been excellent. I have a buyer story that is so juicy rather than writing a blog I'm waiting to see my buyer tell her story on Oprah.

I've decided it's better to never kiss and tell. lol I don't know who Property Grunt is maybe everyone else in NY knows.

Maureen,

I think part of stirring the pot is being passionate about something. As passionate as I am about something there is bound to be someone who is just as passionate in the other direction. Since a blog should be a reflection of who you are it seems inevitable that the pot will get stirred.

I guess it depends why you blog. If you blog for business, which I do, I have found by being my normal opinonated self brings me clients that think like I do. They want to work with me and are easy to work with since they kind of understand how I am already.

It's funny to me that you think your other blog is boring. Your posts on AR are clearly passionate about an issue. It's hard to believe that your opinion doesn't shine through more on your other blog.

Thank goodness we have guidelines and they stick to them.

If I mention professional behavior or ethics for some that is stirring the pot. I guess that makes me guilty.

I regularly write about professional behavior and ethical standards. For some that is stirring the pot.

Randy I thought of you when I wrote this, I am glad you mention that for some your posting is stirring the pot.

Melina there is just so very little conversation on my other blog... it doesn't feel the same. I can yank chains here... "induce or elicit a reaction or emotion" as Frank or Jodi said above.

Russ thank goodness...

Thanks for the comment all. Mitchell just 2 years ago but a long time ago in blog years.

Maureen, you make a great point in distinguishing "stirring the pot" with a broken guideline with much stronger implications of "damaging" speech. If what is said damages the other person's reputation or bashes them racially then of course it should be off limits!

None of us should have any qualms with "stirring the pot, kicking up dust or simply giving an unpopular opinion." It's a big world and thank heavens we don't all agree. Man, that would be boring. I enjoy learning something new every day!

Thank you for an excellent post and point...

Later in the rain~Deb

Thanks Deb... on a blog earlier this year when I was stirring the pot about "Free Speech" and this same AR Guideline another member told me to:

"Just let it go. Most Activerain members think just as I do. Someone wrote a blog about how many readers a blog might get. None of the figures were really high. It's a large group and no one can keep up with all blogs."

I was amazed that she even knew how most members on ActiveRain think.... and could speak for them.

The witch picture here has a deeper meaning as dorky as it looks... not just because she is stirring a pot. I was chatting about it on Twitter yesterday with a few people locally. A PR person and someone with one of the TV stations. Just ordinary folk... not people in the RE business.

I can recognize it when I see it, and I try not to stir it up myself very often. No real need, in my opinon.

It works for me... it keeps the conversations on a whole 'nother level...

AUG

2008

Thanks for the post - and certainly something to think about---

This post is making me want soup...

AUG

2008

It's too hot for soup Dawn ... next month... I'd share a soup recipe but I understand there is a change or not a change, they are saying don't take points if you just share a recipe...

Maureen - And what is this? Certainly not a Vanilla-blog. This is exactly what good blogging is all about: meeting of the minds, exchange of opinions, discussions about solutions.

Whereas some people are offended that I create controversy -fake or not- to make one of my blogs explode, others appreciate a bit of 'flavor' in an oddball writing here or there.

As usual, you are able to do what I just dream of achieving: Create controversy and good comments through a well written, although somewhat open-ended, topic.

Whether they like it or not, you are one of the clearest voices on Active Rain.

Sharp enough to cut CLEAR through the BS.

Awesome.

SEP

2008

Maureen,

Oh it's so you! You love to stir the pot.

I also know that you have a pet peeve about comments that don't have meaning. Keep it up and we'll keep reading!

SEP

2008

Lovely pot stirrer there Tracy!

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Maureen McCabe Columbus Ohio real estate

Columbus, OH

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