Comments on: Censorship? No.

By: Arwyn

Arwyn — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:26:21 +0000

I waver back and forth on the “display the douchebaggery” v “keep this space safe” issue. In general, I think I prefer to come down on keeping the place clean, unless a particular comment is so outrageous it’s amusing, and then I’ll post it special, and we can all have a good laugh. ;)

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:05:54 +0000

I completely agree that you have every right to delete posts which you do not desire to share on your blog. But often in these cases, leaving the offending comment in place just allows others to see how clearly judgmental/hypocritical/idiotic/whatever the author of the comment is. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. ;-) However, I can also understand the desire to avoid certain unpleasant conversations on your own blog, and firmly stand beside your decision.

By: Arwyn

Arwyn — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:07:14 +0000

That wasn’t what I was thinking of, but oh wow that is great.

You might characterise this as “Hey! They deleted my comment just because it hurt their feelings!” And you know what? That’s exactly it. This is a privately owned blog. You don’t have an overriding right to insist on using our servers to hurt us, no matter what your intentions were.

Yes. That.

By: meloukhia

meloukhia — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:56:28 +0000

You aren't, by any chance, thinking of "A Further Note On Offensive Content" in the FWD/Forward Comment Policy, are you? Because Lauredhel wrote that, and it is awesome.

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:53:42 +0000

This idea won’t work for the hardcore trolls and people bent on being hateful but it might work for people who have just never thought about it before.

This blog is the internet equivalent of you home. There are rules regarding who can enter your home and interact with you. If someone came into your house and started being offensive (or peeing on your carpet) they’d be asked to leave or removed. That’s all you did here. The great thing about a blog is that you don’t need to call in any more back-up than your delete finger!

By: Arwyn

Arwyn — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:58:08 +0000

I love it when you give good quote! ;)

By: Arwyn

Arwyn — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:57:38 +0000

“Isn’t it strange when those accusations of censorship happen to coincide with a person demanding to say vile things or insult your ideas?”

I know, right? It’s like the last accusation in a flounce. “You just censor anyone who disagrees with you!” No, I decline to publish offensive vitriol. I’ve published plenty I disagree with. I just won’t publish things that are actually offensive. It’s not my fault if you can’t tell the difference.

By: Arwyn

Arwyn — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:54:26 +0000

I actually had a link of something fabulous someone wrote of why it was vital for their mental health that they protect the tone of their comment threads. Alas, I have lost it. But it is a key point, and thank you for mentioning it.

And this: “that believes hir privilege grants them the right to put down anyone, at any time, in any space.” was exactly what the deleted comment was defending. In a very Devil’s Advocate-y type of way. So it failed on several levels.

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:14:26 +0000

I love it when people quote me. :)

You made the right call. And any of us who know you and understand what you’re doing here believe that. You’re responsible for setting the tone and moderating what happens here. Using that responsibility is, well, just plain responsible.

By: shinynewcoin

shinynewcoin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:03:36 +0000

Isn't it strange when those accustaions of censorship happen to coincide with a person demanding to say vile things or insult your ideas? [I know a bloke who wouldn't delete one of my comments that accidentally published twice despite my asking on grounds that it "would be censorship". I suspect just to make me look stupid. I was left thinking "I don't think that word means what you think".] The fact is your blog is like your home, you may invite people in but you sure as hell have the right to ask them to be polite or leave.