Late last year David Pogue commented about an observation he made. Frankly, it went something like this:
While a lot of the discussion centers around the legal responsibilities, I think it would be much simpler if we just resorted to one simple thing . . . treat others as you would like to be treated. I know that's much too simple. You're probably wondering if I still believe in Santa Claus and if I still put my teeth under my pillow in anticipation of the Tooth Fairy. Well, er, uh, no. Of course not. I learned the truth about Santa Claus a long time ago . . .
But what's really stunning is how hostile *ordinary* people are to each other online these days.Most recently, a popular blooger by the name of Kathy Sierra was threatened on her blog. She decided to cancel some presentations. She was afraid to leave her house. However, an interesting thing has happened. Tim O'Reilly put out a call for a blogger's code of conduct. It is still a work in progress. You can see that it has generated a lot of input and discussion from a variety of people.
While a lot of the discussion centers around the legal responsibilities, I think it would be much simpler if we just resorted to one simple thing . . . treat others as you would like to be treated. I know that's much too simple. You're probably wondering if I still believe in Santa Claus and if I still put my teeth under my pillow in anticipation of the Tooth Fairy. Well, er, uh, no. Of course not. I learned the truth about Santa Claus a long time ago . . .
But what is the matter with people?
This is certainly nothing new. People have been attacking each other in one way or another over the Internet since a way to do it became available. It doesn't matter if it's a blog, a chatroom, or a forum. People behave badly no matter what safeguards are present.
While this may be a little unsettling, as the Internet becomes more and more mainstream and people made popular by the Internet become better known, is it so inconceivable that Internet celebrities become as targeted as media celebrities such as Madonna, Bradd Pitt, or any other person in the spotlight?
A large part of this code is that bloggers take responsibility for the comments posted on their blog. I share the same sentiment as Jason Kottke. I don't really want to take responsibility for what someone posts as a comment on my blog. I already moderate comments, but that is primarily to control spam that escapes the filters I have in place. One has to wonder if by policing comments there will be an assault on free speech. I don't see it this way. The way I see it, by maintaining a blog ( or website ) I am part of the greater, Internet community. While I won't go off on a downward spiral in some feeble attempt to proclaim that it takes a community to build the Internet or anything that cheesy, I will say that I have a responsibility to promote civility. While I can't find the links right now, a large portion of the responses to Pogue's post supported the position that people behaved ( generally speaking ) consistent with the acceptable behavior on most forums.
If that wasn't clear, think of it this way . . . As a group, people tend to reward and punish behavior. For example, in high school certain cliques rewarded specific behavior while others punished the same behavior. While it was acceptable for geeks to play Dungeons and Dragons, cheerleaders would ostracize another cheerleader for doing it. The bottom line is that by rewarding people for comments that are civil, add value, and promote good natured discussion the trolls will find other outlets. As Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit puts it:
But is it really necessary to publish a code of ethics?
Do we really need someone to decide what is right and wrong when it comes to running a blog or posting comments on someone else's blog?
I know this may be a little out there, but didn't we already learn about this at some point in our childhood? As Jeff Harrell put it, there are rules that we have already been taught. We have already been taught how to be responsible, civil people. The impetus is on us to treat each other with any modicum of respect. Furthermore, we need to get over it. If you don't like what your reading, move on. As has become the catchphrase of Technorati, "71 million blogs . . . some of them have to be good."
So here's your chance . . . weigh in. Tell me what you think. Do we need a code or can we do it on our own? Would a code even work?
This is certainly nothing new. People have been attacking each other in one way or another over the Internet since a way to do it became available. It doesn't matter if it's a blog, a chatroom, or a forum. People behave badly no matter what safeguards are present.
While this may be a little unsettling, as the Internet becomes more and more mainstream and people made popular by the Internet become better known, is it so inconceivable that Internet celebrities become as targeted as media celebrities such as Madonna, Bradd Pitt, or any other person in the spotlight?
A large part of this code is that bloggers take responsibility for the comments posted on their blog. I share the same sentiment as Jason Kottke. I don't really want to take responsibility for what someone posts as a comment on my blog. I already moderate comments, but that is primarily to control spam that escapes the filters I have in place. One has to wonder if by policing comments there will be an assault on free speech. I don't see it this way. The way I see it, by maintaining a blog ( or website ) I am part of the greater, Internet community. While I won't go off on a downward spiral in some feeble attempt to proclaim that it takes a community to build the Internet or anything that cheesy, I will say that I have a responsibility to promote civility. While I can't find the links right now, a large portion of the responses to Pogue's post supported the position that people behaved ( generally speaking ) consistent with the acceptable behavior on most forums.
If that wasn't clear, think of it this way . . . As a group, people tend to reward and punish behavior. For example, in high school certain cliques rewarded specific behavior while others punished the same behavior. While it was acceptable for geeks to play Dungeons and Dragons, cheerleaders would ostracize another cheerleader for doing it. The bottom line is that by rewarding people for comments that are civil, add value, and promote good natured discussion the trolls will find other outlets. As Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit puts it:
Commenters can always get their own blog -- why should they have a "right" to have their comments appear on other people's blogs. The downside, though, is that once you start deleting comments people will tend to hold you more responsible for any comments that you don't delete.If you want to post vile comments, attack people for voicing their opinions, or simply be a troll whose sole purpose in life to crash the happy blog party . . . get your own damn blog. There are lots of ways you can do it . . . for free, even. This isn't censorship. If anything, I encourage people to participate.
But is it really necessary to publish a code of ethics?
Do we really need someone to decide what is right and wrong when it comes to running a blog or posting comments on someone else's blog?
I know this may be a little out there, but didn't we already learn about this at some point in our childhood? As Jeff Harrell put it, there are rules that we have already been taught. We have already been taught how to be responsible, civil people. The impetus is on us to treat each other with any modicum of respect. Furthermore, we need to get over it. If you don't like what your reading, move on. As has become the catchphrase of Technorati, "71 million blogs . . . some of them have to be good."
So here's your chance . . . weigh in. Tell me what you think. Do we need a code or can we do it on our own? Would a code even work?
There is no code necessary. If you read the comments on your articles, like I do, you can spot a troublemaker almost instantly and cut it off before it gets out of hand. I'm not responsible for policing the comments until it actually gets out of hand. I haven't had that problem yet.
I agree...
RT, Thanks for contributing. I read the comments and for the most part I don't try to stop things from getting through - except for spam. However, I wouldn't allow people to viciously attack each other or threaten people. But, that all being said, I too haven't really had that problem.
Jennifer, I take it you agree with me? ;)
Thanks for weighing in.
It seems that those who have the worst comments, i.e., slinging insults at others, are those who feel they aren't heard anywhere else. What I have always wondered if they would be that "brave" in person if given the chance? I think not...
I hear your Beth. One has to wonder . . .
It's scary I gotta say it...
I don't think we should have a code...but I know we are evolving day after day especially on the net...there are still so many things that we'll see...hopefully we are going to a better world...
M.
M, Thanks for stopping by. Yep, it's scary. Thank goodness it's a voluntary thing.
I don't see that a code would do anything for anybody. Who polices the blogs? Nobody. There would be no way to do anything. Everyone should already be living by a code of decency, but those that don't, would suddenly change their behavior because there is a "blogger code of conduct." Kind of ridiculous if you ask me. Huge waste of time.