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From Our Founder
by Robert J. Wichlinski Years ago, at the dawn of the computer-age when "not-so-hip" people like me roamed the planet configuring and fixing computers, we had these electronic forums called "bulletin boards" (hereafter, "BBs"). BBs were an electronic place where we would discuss computer-related topics, share "fixes", exchange files, and interact with "our own kind." Essentially, you modemed in (at a blazing 1200 baud), asked your question, received a response(s), downloaded/uploaded a file as necessary, hung up and disappeared back into geekdom. I recall a statement we were quite fond of, "I am busy and I hope you are too." Which was our polite way of saying bye-bye to a colleague who was getting banal on the BB. Bulletin boards predate the Internet in general and "blogs" specifically. How far we have come from BBs to blogs! I read through the thread of conversation on the topic my friend had told me about and actually poked about through other topics that interested me. I was astonished! Some of the things being said (written) were disparaging and bordered on slander. Personal attacks, misrepresentations, agenda-driven discourse, disguised foul language, page-long diatribes laced with supposition & inuendo... a varitable "speakers corner" (only no bobby about to make certain nothing slanderous was said about the Queen). I clicked about to read the acceptable use policy which seemed to suggest that poor behavior would not be tolerated, but topic after topic I identified posting after posting that clearly exceeded standards set forth in the policy (if not by the letter, then in spirit). Many of the blogs on this site were an electronic, on-line version of The Jerry Springer Show... only the topics were vastly more sophisiticated... most of 'em anyway. I could only surmise that the blog editor was overwhelmed with the volume of postings making it impossible to actively police -or- (as on T.V.) shock sells and if you force the users to play nice, the site would become so polite it would be boring and no one would visit. I think it's probably a little of both. Rest assured, Oliver Stone need look no further for inspiration for his next movie, I found it... lot's of it... whatever [it] is... but apparently people like [it] and are willing to watch [it]. (heck, I got suckered in.) What really concerned me was how angry people could become, how hurtful they could be, and how close they'd permit themselves to come to the boiling point. Through the shrowd of anonymity, authors appeared ready & willing to vent on-line, with the whole world watching (reading), free of contemplation or reflection... direct link between eyes, brain, and keyboard. One posting actually had the same person repeatedly responding to themself on one topic. Like the two sides of this person's brain were battling through to conclusion and we were being given a front row seat to the show. I did not find it helpful, actually I found it disturbing. I'm inspired by people who are passionate about a topic, a cause, a mission or a belief. But when that passion becomes obsessive and self-consuming, it is subject to perversion. That's when I am no longer inspired, but now frightened. Some might argue that a blog is a great place to blow off steam... and better there then in a neighbors face. I would contend that some things are better left unsaid (unwritten). In the end you chance inciting a situation that would have otherwise blown over and been forgotten. In any case, there's no excuse for rudeness under any circumstances! (my mom and dad taught that to me when I was a kid and it rings true to this very day).
Therein lies the
fundamental difference between Blogs and BBs. BB users understood a
computer's power and its danger. We were careful not shoot
anyone's eye out! |
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