Are You Stepping On My Toe?
Jon has good thoughts about how we communicate through out blogs. It's definitely worth a second look. Enjoy, and if you'd like to leave a comment, please drop by Jon's blog and drop him a note. He'll really appreciate it!
There was recently a blog calling for stripping a non real estate content of points on AR. It was featured, and like everything on AR, had a sizable thread with “I agree” comments. I could not believe people would be taking it seriously, but then “I agree” comment in large quantity is rarely a sign of seriousness.
To be fair there were critical comments. And not just a few. The idea deserved much stronger words, than those that were used, but the author still did not like it very much, so he fired another blog post, also featured, this time with even more of “I agree” comments.
Here is what the blogger said:
“The only way to have a rational discussion about a topic with two or more opposing sides is that we all:
· be willing to listen
· keep emotions out of the discussion
· be respectful of others opinions
· really read the article and comments”
I am totally puzzled by this. Why on earth should I read something to the very end, when I am pissed after reading just the first paragraph?
Why would someone seriously expect me to do it? Reading to the end is not my obligation. If I do not read to the very end, this may not only be about me, this might as well be about you.
And if you step on my toes in the first paragraph, I will scream right there, and not after reading the whole thing and getting to the end.
It is up to the author how you write, it is up to the reader how we read. And it is up to us how we comment. You can delete my comment, and I can click another blog and not read yours, so there are a lot of options for all of us.
And if you choose to shock me, well, then why cry foul, when I am shocked? It may not be a PC reaction, but this is sure a normal reaction.
I do not understand when a blogger admits writing “a blog that is deliberately controversial” and then the same blogger is surprised that people react to that without first reading it all, and then thinking about it all, and then coming back with a serious response.
And why serious is required in response to controversial? Controversial is … just controversial, does not mean that it is serious. It is often not a result of a thought process but more a cheap popularity contest…
Are you stepping on my toe?
Cause I would scream…
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