Integrity, or the need for it, extends to many areas of life. Blogging is as much a normal part of life in our time. We encounter blogs often. (At least, I’m one of those people who blogs, follows and reads other blogs).
We’re alive in an amazing time. I guess that was the line in Gutenberg’s time when the press changed the world. Blogging has changed our world, by placing the power to publish in the hands of ordinary people.
Just about anyone with access to a computer and the Internet can influence people beyond the geographic divides at a speed never imagined in Gutenberg’s time.
One of the most powerful features of blogs is the comment option. Bloggers can decide if they want people to engage with their posts by either allowing or denying commenting.
It is a great way to say to the world, “this is what I think, let’s talk about it.” One of the reasons I blog is to start conversations that enrich. Conversations that add value. Having a different perspective or opinion doesn’t bother me at all.
We miss out on great thinking and greater awareness when we want everyone to agree with us. If you’re blogger and allow commenting on your posts, be prepared for people to disagree with you. Allowing comments is asking for it.
At the same time, it is a great way to engage others and be a part of conversation. It is the part of the blog that allows you to talk to and not at people. Commenting is a significant part of enabling community.
Like I’ve already said, because it is your blog, you can decide whether what people can do in your house. Unlike what some social media platforms like Facebook, that calls the shots on your data.
This being said, I think every blogger needs to have some sort of commenting policy if they allow comments on their posts. I have one. I reserve the right to delete or edit comments that violate my commenting rules on my blog.
However, when I, or any blogger edit comments the integrity of comments must be maintained. By this I mean as bloggers, we must never edit any comment to mean what it does not mean. Edit things that violate your policy without violating the message of comments. If this is impossible then delete the comment completely.
I’ve been thinking about integrity in blogging and this aspect came because of an experience I had recently. I wrote a comment, which wasn’t published immediately because it had to be moderated first. Some bloggers want to approve comments before they can see them. Their blog, their rules.
So, my comment was held for moderation and then published with my name and face attached, distorting the message I had written. Crazy.
Dear blogger, don’t distort the message of the people who comment on your blog. Either use it to enrich conversation and critical thinking or delete it. Don’t make people say what they never said.
Blog with integrity. Peace. I’m out. <microphone drop>Doof</microphone drop>.
[Photo Credit: geishaboy500]