What's The Point?

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Comment by Darrell G. Walton on March 4, 2009 at 6:44pm

Thank you Erik! All it takes is a little protocol and respect and those conversations will go far and maybe we all can have a little more understanding of each other and more bridges of unification and not divisiveness will be built among us!

Comment by Erik Deckers on March 4, 2009 at 6:37pm

My ears are burning! Thanks Darrell and Lorraine.

I am willing to publish anyone's comments on my blogs (I have two), as long as they meet two conditions:

1) They aren't personally abusive. They can disagree with me all they want, but I don't appreciate personal attacks (. . . said the blogger with the picture on the Ryanair blog post of a guy with his head up his ass).

2) They don't remain anonymous. I suppose people can remain anonymous if they want to make a point, but if someone borders on the abusive (see condition #1), AND they're hiding their identity, then I'll delete them. I'll even let the border-line rude people stay on if they've posted their real identity.

Other than that, I see blogging as a two-way conversation. I should be willing to defend my arguments, and be open to changing them if someone makes a good point.

Comment by Darrell G. Walton on March 4, 2009 at 2:57pm

Thank you Elizabeth for your affirmation of my point. You come from a ultra-liberal secular political point of world view as I come from an ultra-conservative Christian world point of view. That's who we are. But never would I censor anyone's viewpoint that I asked of per a different point of view. There wouldn't be no point! As long as the dialogue is on the subject at hand, it's all fair game! We all come from different tribes and deserve the respect as to be heard. I didn't say you or anyone has to agree with another's view. Your statement; "but only if I feel they contribute something constructive or intelligent to the debate." ....says it all! Where's the debate?

Comment by Elizabeth Friedland on March 4, 2009 at 1:49pm

Oops, "are refuse" should be "and refuse." Typo!

Comment by Elizabeth Friedland on March 4, 2009 at 1:49pm

I screen all of my comments are refuse to publish those that are off topic (for example, comments that discuss religion when I'm blogging about politics) or have tons of biased language (against gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, etc.) I welcome opposing opinions, but only if I feel they contribute something constructive or intelligent to the debate.

Comment by Darrell G. Walton on March 4, 2009 at 1:28pm

Thanks Lorraine! I like Erik's blogs a lot anyway! The point can be made without expletives or personal attacks if one disagrees. I suggest others read Erik's blog as well!

Comment by Lorraine Ball on March 4, 2009 at 1:19pm

One other thought ... If you ask a question, and refuse to publish the answer, and the person feels really strongly, they will take their answer elsewhere. And link to your post. And if they are a knowledgeable blogger, their negative post will get more traction then all of your positive ones.

For a really good example of this: see Erik Deckers post:


In this case the company had a rogue employee who was rude, and they weren't smart enough to realize how their response would be perceived.

Comment by Darrell G. Walton on March 4, 2009 at 1:03pm

Good Point Clay!

Comment by Darrell G. Walton on March 4, 2009 at 1:00pm

Thank you ladies! I couldn't agree more. Just another thing in the spirit of political correctness, one's adjectives or description of something shouldn't be grounds for censorship as long as it's in the correct context. Too many times the cop-out of name calling is used to curtail a viewpoint as well.

Comment by Clay Mabbitt on March 4, 2009 at 12:57pm

I think of that as not necessarily a waste of time, but a missed opportunity. I guess I could imagine someone who didn't want to publicize dissenting opinions for fear of spreading them, but they did want to use a blog to spread their message and highlight the positive reinforcement from people who agree. (If they are worried that the slightest mention of someone negative opinion will convert anyone who reads it, maybe their position isn't that strong in the first place.)

I don't think it's as effective as including all opinions -- and I mean not as effective at gathering information or building customer confidence -- but it is a choice. It's arguably still better than not asking for an opinion on a blog at all.

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