Steelso vs Real Life

Social Objectivity on Blogs?

How do we include everyone, those that think in picture, those that think in words, those that are shy and those that are loud? How do we allow people how have an opinion to express it in their way rather than the Internet’s way? This to me is one of the big challenges of the Internet.

I have an issue on debate in blogs. These guys are so, so much better at writing than I am. My learning style is reflection and discussion. It’s not the best blog style. So, for example, here’s a guy that I totally respect that I read and understand. He’s an inspiration in a lot of ways. But. He’s mentioning a a thing that I get and don’t fully understand. I like it, I kind of get it but I have questions. Sure, I could post a comment on his blog, I could twitter him but it is just not my style. I want to sit down over a thing (for ‘thing’ read ‘pint’) and talk to him about it. Not because I want to prove him wrong but to get into a debate to better understand his point of view.

To be totally 100% clear I actually think he’s right I just want to know more but I need to see the colour of his eyes when we chat rather than allowing the entire bloggienet look upon my learnings and snigger, sneer and disparage? I get that this is mostly in my head, I know that his blog his full of good people, I’m sure that any unlikeliness of bad behavior would not be tolerated. It is easier though not to involve yourself rather than deal with the possible aftermath. I am totally aware that this is really my problem rather than anyone else’s.

How do we get more people involved in the conversation? Thoughts?

4 Comments to Social Objectivity on Blogs?

1. 

   This is why I keep reading you. It keeps me thinking thinky thoughts.

   One thing, though…the internets have changes publishing, and it will be a sea change. Legal grey areas will be clarified. Let’s pray that a Disney-style lock-down on transformative works isn’t floating in that sea…

   Because I firmly believe that great ideas spring from other great ideas. That’s why.

   xx
   me
pipkin on January 5th, 2008
2. 

   I wanted to comment… but didn’t want to be bothered by cyber backlash… pity. I guess we’ll have to meet over a pint and discuss. lol
   rb
ringbearer on January 6th, 2008
3. 

   “…rather than allowing the entire bloggienet look upon my learnings and snigger, sneer and disparage…”
   “…It is easier though not to involve yourself rather than deal with the possible aftermath…”

   pretty much the ’shy poster’s’ mantra right there…
   an operative word that could be applied here would be “feart”, i should suppose.

   tons of folk on the internet…lots of blogs as well. some more geared to social objectivity than others. totally depends on the individual and the type of blog they have, i think…what they want to do with it.
   if you offer up a blog where you want the input of others, their thoughts and ideas…then i think one has to make the blog a welcoming place to get people to post. where objectivity truly comes into play… a lot of open mindedness and patience is involved in that. you mentioned several different ’styles’ of people: “…those that think in picture, those that think in words, those that are shy and those that are loud…”. how cool to have all those different folk come together to discuss something. the neat things that might come to light and evolve out of that. like miss pipkin said up above, “…great ideas spring from great ideas.”
   and maybe even great ideas spring from ‘not so great’ ideas, after they have been bounced around a wee bit.

   oftentimes it can be difficult to respond to a blog…at least from the ’shy poster’s’ point of view…especially when one feels intimidated by the person. this one is smarter, that one writes down thoughts better, debates better, understands techno better, is a walking encyclopedia in music, etc. when someone responds…no matter how simplistic it might seem to the original blogger…how their input is received will either encourage or discourage them. i should think any poster would prefer not to get barked at, belittled, fired upon or ignored. their next thought is,”why bother…?” along with, “well, i won’t be doing *that* again anytime soon.”. once bitten, twice shy…so to speak.
   many times i have wanted to ask a wee question or explanation of someone and backed off cos it sounded too silly…even to me. like, maybe i am the only one on the planet that does not know this thing…? (sometimes we try not to stamp that “eedjit heid” on the forehead too clearly) you can hunt on the net well enough for an answer, yes, but sometimes it’s not the same as having someone that *knows* explain it to you so that you can *see* it…if that makes sense. posting can be a tricky business…it can be really really fun, but it can also be a bit scary and off-putting: should i take this person’s time? what if they think it’s nonsense? can i even maneuver the thought into the post so that it makes sense to other readers?. and once it’s posted in a blog…? it is there…you cannot take it back. that is scary too.

   i guess, at the end of the day, i can only give input from my wee point of view…what would get me to come in and post at a blog.
   open arms, open mind…and patience, my young padawan.
   seems to me, that would work for any person…no matter their “style”.

   i agree with you and rb…chatting with someone face to face would probably be preferable, maybe more efficient, to get clear ideas and opinions across.
   would i be brave enough for that? *shrugs* maybe not. *grins*
debbie on January 6th, 2008
4. 

   I agree wholeheartedly. I find it extremely difficult to debate/discuss ideas on the net. I always feel claustrophobic and restrained. Like you, I want to hear a voice, see an expression, in short, feel some sense of human contact when I “talk” to someone. I HATE typing out my thoughts. I get frustrated. I want my comments to look polished and coherent and the time spent “tweaking” what I say takes all the spontenaity and joy out of the process. It’s the main reason I’m not chatty online. People who’ve met me are often surprised at how animated and sociable I am. Even now, I’m getting antsy over the amount of time it’s taking me to post just this small bit. I want to say so much more, but I’d much rather say it face to face. All this typing is a bore! Conversation is MUCH more satisfying.
CathyP on January 11th, 2008

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