Blogging originally started as a way to report just facts. Then it grew. People started using it to post an online chronicle of their lives. This is what I use mine for. It is also the same reason that many of my “blog stalker” friends use theirs for. To vent about daily irritations, share small (or large) victories, to share the silly things their kids do. It’s the new way to keep family and friends across the U.S. “in touch” with what is going on in our daily lives with out them being physically present or sending out a huge mass email.
Given all of this, and that fact that blogs have become a “public domain” of sorts, why do some feel the need to show a lack of courtesy that they would show if expressing an opinion that differs from someone else? If we are in a face to face conversation, both parties are going to be polite I would hope. We can agree to disagree but do it in a polite and respectful fashion. Why do some people feel the need to comment on others blogs with mean or spiteful comments that often hit below the belt?
Several of my “blog” friends are at a similar juncture in their life as I am. They are pregnant; however they are or are not experiencing varying degrees of difficulty with their own pregnancies. Why in the world someone would want to post hurtful comments that they wouldn’t dare say to the same person in the face is beyond me. For two of these same friends, their blog and the online communities they frequent are their only contact to the outside world aside from their families and doctors visits because, for their health and safety and the health and safety of their unborn child they are on bed rest. Anyone choosing to post hurtful comments on their blogs would certainly tick me off, and cause me to get a little cranky. Their blogs allow them to be able to express the heightened stress associated with making sure they are doing everything that they can to make sure that their child has the best possible chance outside the womb – and anyone who thinks that this is anything less then courageous can take it up with me!
Just because this is a public forum does not mean that people are allowed to check their faculties at the door. Although this is an online forum and it allows for anonymity does not mean that you get to leave the manners your parents hopefully instilled in you when you sit down to your keyboard and begin reading. What was that saying we all learned in kindergarten? If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Or at least find a respectful way to voice your disagreement.
3 comments:
I agree To many people seem to leave their manners at the door(or on their desk in this case).Think before you type.
Nikky, thanks for sticking up for us bed resting mommas! :) It's amazing what people will say sometimes. They have NO idea how hard and stressful it is to be confined to a bed for months and deal with the constant worry that the effort being made won't guarantee baby's safe arrival. Anyway, I know YOU get it and for that I am grateful. Hugs, J.
See I think it's funny because when I read a blog (friend or stranger) if I don't have anything nice to say about posts that trigger something within me, I say nothing at all. Unless of course I am attempting to come to the aid of a friend, then I will post something "not nice". I don't know why more people can't just live by "If you don't have anything nice to say, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!" Seems to be common sense and decency to me. lol
(Thank you hon. Wish I knew who you could really send this to. ;) lol)
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