Words Evoke Emotion
As I make my way around the blogworld, reading posts of the various blogs I enjoy, I find myself in a combination of laughter, tears and a myriad of other emotions. Words are a very powerful tool.
This makes blogging a very powerful tool. I know I’ve said before that bloggers have a voice and used in the right way, that voice can be combined with other voices to really make a difference.
Of course, the problem with power of any kind is that what can be used for GOOD can also be used for BAD.
I don’t get angry very easily. And when I do get angry, I find the anger is often replaced by a deep ache in my heart. A hurt and a sadness for both the person I am angry with AND those who I feel might be hurt by that person.
Occasionally I read a blog post that makes me angry. Of course, anger isn’t necessarily a bad emotion. It can spur us into action of some kind and that can have positive outcomes.
What about hurt? What happens when you read something that you think might be hurtful to some people. Perhaps there is a judgemental undertone to the words. Perhaps that person just thinks what they’ve written is funny.
My understanding is that funny at someone else’s expense (ie it’s different when you’re laughing “together with” rather than “at” a person or group of people) is actually a form of bullying.
Who’d have thought that a simple blog post could be seen as bullying?
I don’t know. Maybe I’m over-reacting here. Words are harmless right? “Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?” What a silly saying. Words DO hurt! No matter how much we try to pretend that they don’t.
Yes, other people need to take responsibility for their reactions. Sometimes people are going to misunderstand our message or our intent and it’s impossible to cover every single angle. But as blog writers, I believe we also need to take some responsibility for our words. What is our intent with what we’re posting? Does blogging give us a free for all to say whatever we like about anyone we like? Are we hiding behind an anonymity that allows us freedom to say things we wouldn’t normally say?
When I’m composing my blog posts, I try very hard not to say anything that I wouldn’t be happy for ANYONE to stumble across and read. Maybe I don’t always succeed with that but I do try. After all, if it’s out there for public view then doesn’t that mean that ANYONE may well stumble across it and read it?
Of course, all of this brings up another question in my mind. What do you do when you read a blog post you disagree with? Do you say so?
I have a tendency to avoid conflict. Plus I don’t do so well if I end up being attacked. So I tend to be a bit of a turtle when it comes to what I say and what topics I will enter into. I’m not saying that’s a good trait. It’s just who I am. It means that when something upsets me, I’m less likely to say so than perhaps some people would.
So, tell me what you think.
Is it okay to say whatever you like in a blog post?
Do blog writers need to feel any responsibility for the words they “utter”?
Does “it’s my blog I can say what I like” really mean it’s okay to say what you like?
Do you say so when you disagree with something you read in a blog post?
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Comments
I’m just wondering what you read that made you write this;
it must have been amazingly virulent.
(Now I’m trying to remember what I last wrote…. I hope it wasn’t me…)
Cerebralmum - I think I have been a little “insulated” when it comes to what’s out there in blogworld until more recently. I mean, pretty much all the blogs I read seem to be written by “nice” people. I prefer to think that all blog writers are “nice” all the time. Silly really. Then again, any other written medium needs to have some kind of “ethics” in their writing (or do they?).
Frogdancer - Actually it wasn’t just the one post but more a general feeling that’s been bubbling away inside me for a few weeks now that decided to “erupt” today. 
Maybe I’m too much of a “dreamer” to want bloggers to use their voice for the greater good. Don’t know.
Nice post!
I don’t think bloggers can truly hide behind the Internet, because a blogger who continually makes others feel bad could end up with no readers. It doesn’t stop them saying those things, but if nobody’s reading, why bother writing? They might not be accountable in the same way as if they ranted and raved in the offline world, but losing readers due to causing offence sounds like accountability to me.
You can’t please everyone all of the time, and not everyone will agree with everything you say. But you can disagree and still be civil. I don’t understand why some people leave comments like “you haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about” and insult the blogger in the process.
There’s a fine line between a debate and an argument. Putting a point across doesn’t have to make someone feel stupid. Some people just aren’t all that tactful, I guess.
I tend to try and be nice in my comments because there are many different views out there and I don’t want to unintentionally hurt anyone’s feelings. If I like the blog I’m reading and keep reading for some time I might be a bit more open when I disagree with something, but if I’m reading a blog that upsets or angers me and day after day the content continues in this vein then I delete it from my reading list. I don’t need or want that kind of stress in my life. I prefer to read blogs that make me think, make me laugh, make me consider the other side of life. Blogs which sometimes challenge me to be a better person.
Is it okay to say whatever you like in a blog post?
That is the whole point of blogging at the individual level. people can differ from our point of view, but I am entitled to express mine.
Do blog writers need to feel any responsibility for the words they “utter”?
If they do not, they lose visitors before they know what is happening.
Does “it’s my blog I can say what I like” really mean it’s okay to say what you like?
Yes, as long as you observe basic courtesy, and decent language.
Do you say so when you disagree with something you read in a blog post?
Yes, in a manner that is not offensive.
Here I am again! You bring up a good list of points my friend.
Stick and stone will break my bones but words certainly do hurt and most often they still continue to hurt after the bones heal. Sad but true and it’s good to know there is still people like you and me that still have a heart and soul.
Take care,
Ryan
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I think it is fine to have a rant occasionally, or fine to discuss an “anonymous” situation, but I don’t think that it is appropriate to openly attack other people, whether they are real-life or cyber people.
Some people say that there is so much nastiness on the internet because it is easy to hide behind, because there isn’t anyone to call you to account for your words. Perhaps that is true, but it still requires those who do this to have a negative charcter, even if they censor it more in real life.
You ask, “Do blog writers need to feel any responsibility for the words they “utter”?”. To be respected by me and many others they do, but if they have no compunction about what they say online, I doubt they have much compunction in life.
People who abuse the power of their words, in life or online, aren’t people I want to know. That might sound harsh, and I’m not suggesting I’m perfect, but like you, “I try”. I “need” to if I want to look at myself in the mirror each morning.