Just What's A Canker Sore
9 years ago
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Well, I've had some issues raised this week. Is it ok to publically critisice a person's character? I understand that sometimes it is appropriate to criticise a public fiure in terms of their behaviour (and therefore character) if that person is meant to be representing you/your interests (ie politicians). BUT, is it ok to criticise someone who is simply being themselves? Who does not represent you? I have often come under fire for things that I write on this site, and mostly I find if unecessarily offensive. I would never seek to criticise someone for who they are, unless they are supposed to be representing my interests. I may have opinions on them, but I would not publically state it for the world to see.
I wonder what that's about? How does that benefit anyone? Appropriate constructive criticism (in private) is one thing, but general character assassination? What purpose does that serve? I can't see how that helps anyone. It makes the person in question feel attacked and ridiculed, and it can't benefit the readers in any way, apart from entertainment (which I would argue is not healthy entertainment). So I can't understand why people feel the need to publicalyl attack my character. Or anyone's for that matter.
I heard an interview last week about the internet and its potential evils. One of the problems is that people have anonymous identities that allow them to behave without the restraint that they would normally restrict themselves with. Is it not a good thing that we hold back? Why do we feel that being brutally honest is a good thing? Can we not be honest, whilst still taking into consideration the feelings of others? Why does 'being ourselves' mean that we get to hurt others? Why is that their problem? I would argue that it is in fact our problem. I don't want to be responsible for hurting someone else out of my brutal honesty. I'm sure we can find a way that both serves the other person, and is still truthful.
Thoughts?
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They only ever appear (and anonymously at that) to stir up negative discussion/arguments, and mysteriously disappear when anyone questions them or their motives.
My advice is to disregard anything they say and just ignore them. As many online forums suggest, don't feed the trolls.
Oh yes, I went there. *makes kitty clawing gesture*
I appreciate hearing your opinions, reflections, thoughts.
You don't know me at all.
Is there much difference in an 'anon' making a comment, and a total stranger leaving a comment under a name (real or pseudo)?
I don't see a distinction between the two. Particularly when a 'named commenter' may not further identifyable or traceable...
Personally I really like being able to have multiple avatars. Anonymous included.
You, however, ludi, are a kind and gentle spirit. If anyone purposefully comes to your blog to insult you, it's more a reflection on them than anything else. Personally, if I ever happen upon a blog whose opinions I don't share or even dislike, I just move along and don't bother to comment. It's not worth my time to be negative on some stranger's blog.
I'm glad you express yourself the way you do... that's part of why we blog, yes? :-)
as for why, basically think they are people just doing it to make themselves feel big, when they are just sad
And I'm not sure that criticising them for doing it is helpful either. They are obviously doing it for a reason, even if we deem that reason to be invalid, it is still a reason for them. I am only responsible for what I do with the criticism, and how I respond to it.
you want pity because you have a job and have to get early, i would love to have a perament job.
if they are as unfoundeed as you say they are then they are meaningless chaff to be thrown to the wind. if however there is even a minute bit of truth in them then you could see why people wouyld get upset and even poke at your character.
blogs are public forums not priv ate journals!!! whatever is said here is just as much your character as if you said it over coffee. people will notice the holes and will pick at them.
Um, i use my blog as a personal journal and i don't see the problem with doing so.
What I was talking about is why people attack me personally. If there is no provocation I can't see a reason for it (However even if there was provocation I don't think it's a helpful or appropriate response.). I would love for people to engage in debate or discussion about the topics I raise. What I don't appreciate is people attacking my character when I am not asking for personal criticism. I don't think a public forum is ever an appropriate place to do that.
I understand that this is a public forum and I have no control over what happens, and therefore have no right to complain when people do criticise me, but I think you'll find that I am not whinging about that. I'm more concerned with why that happens in the first place. I am able to manage my response to this.
If people really wanted to talk to me about issues they thought were relevant for my life then they would do it in a loving, private context which respected me and helped me to grow, not here where everyone can read and seems to humilate me.
in a reverse way i believe your blogs critices me because of my useless life.
And I am very sorry blinky if I have somehow made you feel criticised. I certainly didn't intend that. I don't actually know anything about you or your life. I hope you don't feel like you have a useless life. I don't think anyone has a useless life. It annoys me that society places measures of worth on people based on their status. People are valuable simply because they are people and they interact with the world. Everyone has an impact.
Personally, I enjoy reading your thoughts, so I think you should keep doing what you're doing.