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"Cowardly Comments" - Rudeness in the Rain

By Rich Jacobson

Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

January 14, 2008 11:35 AM

The following comment recently appeared on a post written by one of our members. The commenter was obviously upset over the nature of the article, feeling it was inappropriate for our network.

"The bigger question is... WHO CARES? Why are you posting #$%^&&% recipes on a real estate blogging platform? Are you THAT bored? Are you THAT unprofessional? Is that what you want your clients to see? Are you just blogging for points? It's THIS type of garbage that is diluting the effectiveness and quality of Active Rain!"

01/12/2008 07:58 AM

by Paul

Edit

Delete Report as Spam

I'm not going to take the time to debate the merits of whether 'recipes' or 'jokes' or whatever else is posted by our members constitutes acceptable content.

Here at ActiveRain, we encourage healthy debate. We welcome opposing views. It's good to regularly question the things that we hold onto so dearly, in light of dissenting opinion. Our convictions are either further cemented in our minds, or they're changed and influenced for the better.

If you are going to present an opposing viewpoint in the Rain, and hope to have any shred of credibility, then don't hide behind a shroud of virtual anonymity.

"If you're gonna dish it out, you best be prepared to take it!"

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Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Rich, I have noticed that some people live off drama...and if there's none going on, they'll start some. I'm not at all sure what they love about it but those kinds of comments sould be removed and perhaps the people that leave them, there is no need for that kind of comment to be left.

Jan 15, 2008 12:34 AM

Rich Jacobson

Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA

Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Kris - I wouldn't turn-off anonymous comments. You may be prohibiting some consumers from engaging in conversation. It's a risk, but one that I think is definitely worth it...

Jan 15, 2008 01:36 AM

Jeff R. Geoghan

Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA

REALTOR, Marketing Manager

There is a whole class of blogger who is near-manic about "rules" and uses vitrolic language effortlessly to demean others. I see this in the political blogosphere as well as blogs dealing with faith/religion/Bible. In real estate people need to relax! There are people who are trying to put a blog together and aren't experts - but they're trying. I say give the slack and let members work their own angles - recipes and all!

Jan 15, 2008 02:29 AM

Dori Thurmond

Portage, MI

Kris Wales

Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI

Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Rich, I had to do that. Some of the anonymous comments were up for hours before I could delete them. Google spiders things quickly, at times as little as 30 minutes from what my alerts have told me. If it can't be "family friendly" then I don't want to risk it. (Naturally, none of the "anon" comments were on a members only post) Am I happy about it? No. But I really have no alternative since we don't have the option here to moderate comments (approve them beforehand).

Jan 15, 2008 02:48 AM

Fran Gatti

RE/MAX Integrity - Medford, OR

Managing Principal Broker - RE/MAX Integrity

Rich,

You're doing a great job. I'm glad I didn't see the comment quoted in your post. Crap like that upsets me to no end. If he didn't like the type of post, why did he read it?

Jan 15, 2008 05:22 AM

Sarah Cooper

Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

I would guess that he or she was writing content they wanted on their own blog, for their own local community, and would wonder why a member of AR would be upset about something like that? Surely it's about contact, right?

Today I got the nicest letter through a post I wrote about a friend of mine who was killed in the Gulf War. There are people who miss him still, as I do, and because I wrote about him (and not real estate) I get to hear all kinds of wonderful things about a friend I miss.

Write about what matters to you, whether it's real estate or casseroles. You'll get in touch with people who care about similar things, and that's all the magic we need. Call it expanding your SEO or making new friends, but writing off topic works.

Jan 15, 2008 06:19 AM

Rich Jacobson

Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA

Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Sarah - you're one of my favorite examples of writing about what matters to you...I realize that, ultimately, we should be connecting with consumers, but it's through writing about what pulls our heart strings, that we communicate who and what we are....and that's a BIG part of what consumers want...

Jan 15, 2008 07:21 AM

Alan 'AJ' Nisen California Contra Costa Mortgage Officer

A Large Bank in America - Lafayette, CA

Rich, as a number of AR replies have said, we have to respect others. That type of reply was totally uncalled for. One should be able to disagree but you do not need to be disrespectful. I try to shake it off and hit the delete button. I sometimes have the urge to reply in kind, but that would not help me or anyone else. Lets graviate to those who are positive, who want to help, teach, and grow.

Jan 15, 2008 08:07 AM

Bob Stewart

ActiveRain - Seattle, WA

ActiveRain Ambassador

Rich,

I still need to show you the console that tracks IP addresses.........sometimes I am shocked at who would leave such comments :)

Jan 15, 2008 08:12 AM

ActiveRain City and State Listing Group

Christiansted, VI

Maybe Paul was not only a coward, but just having a bad day.

Maybe it was something he ate.

Could be Paul was just the kind of person that thrives on spiting out anger, when he personally has little of worth to add to any conversation or enough sense to move on when he sees a post that is no use to him.

Paul, I know you must be wondering how we got this picture of you. It was easy to form the image from imagination.

Jan 15, 2008 08:27 AM

Bryant Tutas

Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL

Selling Florida one home at a time

Bob, I bet those IP addresses are a real eye opener. Things aren't always as they seem on AR. Folks need to remember that yo guys see all.

Jan 15, 2008 09:29 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Rich, I can see why someone could get upset about a blog that has nothing to do with Real Estate, but there is a way of doing it without being insulting. And I agree if you are going to make a statement, then have the conviction to stand behind it,

Jan 15, 2008 09:36 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Rich,

There are too many people here to even think about posting something that would really get the dander up and the fur flying. Insults are not good. Views that differ are one thing, but I think people tend to lose respect for someone who is not thoughtful. Besides, at AR, the blogs roll by so fast that it is not like an occasional light-weight post is going to create coronary thrombosis for someone or bind the system.

Jan 15, 2008 12:34 PM

No Longer Active

Real Estate - Fallon, MT

Rich, After reading your post this morning I noticed another comment by Paul on this post. Here's a thought for consideration when making improvments to the system. Add an "IP" link along side the date and time so whether a person is logged in or not there is some identifying information to act as a deterrent.

Jan 16, 2008 01:14 AM

Rich Jacobson

Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA

Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Dan - we have that ability now, it' just not visible to the general membership. On my console, I can clearly see the IP address of every comment that's made, and can easily trace them to their source.

Jan 16, 2008 01:42 AM

"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.

President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Gracious Rich...

And I found the following in my email this morning and I quote typos and all:

"Why don't you used this blog post as a newsletter for your community instead of virtually throwing up on everyone else here. I don't know about anyone else, but if I wanted a book, I would just go buy one."

The comment has since been deleted from the blog it was on.

I think it's a sad state of affairs. I mean it's one thing to think it...It's entirely different to actually type it and share it.

What the hell is wrong with people? Maybe a better way of putting that is "What isn't wrong with people?

That may be easier to answer :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jan 16, 2008 02:12 AM

Robert Hammerstein -

Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ

Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Touche Rich!

Just will never understand why people can't just be nice to one and other. Takes way too much energy to be rude, condescending or nasty.

Jan 16, 2008 02:41 AM

Rich Jacobson

Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA

Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

First Lady of AR...

I don't know. Find the answer to that one and we can eliminate cancer in our lifetime. It's disheartening for me at times, having to deal with the incessant bickering that goes on here. We are SO much better than this. Our energies should be focused on other, more positive elements of change!

Jan 16, 2008 04:39 AM

Ryan Hukill - Edmond

405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK

Realtor, Team Lead

Wow, I couldn't agree more Rich. That's "just a bit" over the top!

Jan 19, 2008 10:49 AM

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Keller Williams Realty - Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate

I love to post about football, especially college. I don't care for NFL so much (except Brady ... I'm in this year). But I do have a point here, I don't go around telling people NOT to blog about NFL football. I wouldn't do that. I just usually skip the NFL stuff. That's all people have to do. Pretty simple I'd say.

Thanks for reminding people again to be tolerant and if you don't like the topic, don't read it. If you chose to make a comment be civil and then you don't mind signing in.

Jan 29, 2008 06:58 AM