Because I Can

News Type: Opinion — Wed Jan 3, 2007 2:15 PM EST

It is apparently a CD, a song, a sound recording, a couple of pretty funny blogs and tag lines (http://danisaacs.com/blog/ & http://becauseicantn.blogspot.com/ ), and even a listing in Wikipedia. What it shouldn't be is a reason to be mean or spiteful.

I know, I know, not another Be Nice article on Newsvine conduct! Sorry, yup!

I started a series of articles to look into what our conduct says about us as a microcosm of society here at Newsvine. To say it was modestly received is probably an understatement, which in itself speaks volumes about what truly is thought of as proper and respectful conduct. I don't expect for a moment that a site such as Newsvine will be free from malice and ill will, but what I had hoped was that people here would present their arguments with at least a modicum of professionalism and personal integrity.

Unfortunately, what I have found is that we, yes I have too stooped to such a level (but I apologized as soon as I calmed down), often find a point we wish to make and instead of peacefully and reasonably making said argument and defending it, we feel a bit of resistance and quickly change the issue. We find it easier, I am assuming here or hypothesizing if you will (scientists, please correct me if I am using incorrect terminology), to restate a portion of our previous argument and accompany it with a more personalized barb. Not that we couldn't have stated or made the same point without the barb, it just added a more personal touch to the argument.

Now, I am not for a moment trying to argue that all discussions or debates; heated or not, will or even should remain totally without passion, but some of the threads I have read of late have taken on fairly meaningless topics and pushed them to the brink of being downright offensive and rude to a fellow contributor. I find it reprehensible that we, as a community, find it or have made it may be a better way to call it, okay or acceptable to allow these tirades to endure simply because we don't want to get involved or because the person may or may not be a potential beta user. Longevity is not an excuse nor should it be a shield from other's taking a stand.

So, going forward, instead of taking an abusive tone against someone in our community and thinking it is okay "because I can"; why not stop and read your comment as if you were receiving it and genuinely see how you would take it. If there is even a doubt in your mind whether or not it can be taken as inflammatory or rancorous, why not reword it. You will probably make a better, more lucid and even more poignant argument…all the while keeping the civility of Newsvine in tact.

11 Votes
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vicaxp's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Alternative Health & Wellness, Open Mic, Parents and Parenting, Relationships
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4.8

1.5

{"commentId":457305,"authorDomain":"vicaxp"}

vicaxp

Okay, I'm ready...fire away.

{"commentId":457305,"threadId":"65326","contentId":"504790","authorDomain":"vicaxp"}

3 votes

#1 - Wed Jan 3, 2007 2:48 PM EST

{"commentId":457535,"authorDomain":"warners"}

rwarner

Nicely done.

{"commentId":457535,"threadId":"65326","contentId":"504790","authorDomain":"warners"}

1 vote

#2 - Wed Jan 3, 2007 5:12 PM EST

{"commentId":457794,"authorDomain":"alphadog"}

Alpha Dog

Well said, as always, Vic. There are times when I find it very hard to be diplomatic in response to a comment. Fortunately no one can see me banging on the keyboard. :-)

Adding to your thoughts -- there are times when satire is used and, while the creativity involved is admirable, there are people on the vine (such as ... let's see now ... hmmmm ... me!) who don't know all the players here and how they interact. So, sometimes I don't know if someone is joking or serious
-- and I believe that's true for others as well. One response I got when I asked was that there was a "satire" tag. Okay, so I failed tag. Another response said something to the effect that we have to learn how to laugh at ourselves. Sage advice to a dog, I guess.

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2 votes

#3 - Wed Jan 3, 2007 8:49 PM EST

{"commentId":457900,"authorDomain":"michaelj-or"}

michaelj-or

This was very insightful... Mr vicaxp,

but some of the threads I have read of late have taken on fairly meaningless topics and pushed them to the brink of being downright offensive and rude to a fellow contributor.

I hope you are not one of the ones I offended yesterday because I meant none. I guess I didn't read what I wrote well enough. Which is darn good advice Mr timstown.

Your Most Highly Regarded Dogness... why am I always behind you? Was it you or maybe Miss Redruby who said humor is the lubricant of something or other? A lube job would not be a bad thing for some of the branches I made the mistake of going to.

If something that isn't labelled "satire" has to throw us out... or pile on because we made (or tried) to provide some humor to a point in an otherwise "interesting" but unhumorous discussion... how can they know what serious is? They gotta be joking.

You guys are really smart. It is nice to be here with you.

{"commentId":457900,"threadId":"65326","contentId":"504790","authorDomain":"michaelj-or"}

#4 - Wed Jan 3, 2007 10:38 PM EST

{"commentId":457937,"authorDomain":"vicaxp"}

vicaxp

Thanks Robin, AD, and michaelj-or.

I enjoy this place too and dont want to see a group mentality or bullying become accpetable here or anywhere else. Though I was enver bulyied, I've seen the devestation it can bring and it is truly a waste of good energy.

I choose to start each day with a positive outlook and each time the day or I falter into less than such, I choose to then start each moment with a child-like "do-over" and begin enjoying my time again.

{"commentId":457937,"threadId":"65326","contentId":"504790","authorDomain":"vicaxp"}

1 vote

#5 - Wed Jan 3, 2007 11:05 PM EST

{"commentId":457990,"authorDomain":"michaelj-or"}

michaelj-or

Dear Mr vicaxp...

I like your point about bullying.

Group (herd) Mentality is a different animal(s) I think. From experience I know I don't want to get right in front of it... but then again I don't want to get too far behind it either.

And then again I don't want to be in the middle of it, either.

Free spirits ...who can flit (please I spelled it correctly I think) from the back to the front are special to me. And I think you and My Favorite Dogness are among the ones who can.

Don't let somebody pin you down on this because it was an idea where you went "out front" for us. And I am behind you somewhere.

{"commentId":457990,"threadId":"65326","contentId":"504790","authorDomain":"michaelj-or"}

#6 - Wed Jan 3, 2007 11:39 PM EST

{"commentId":458000,"authorDomain":"michaelj-or"}

michaelj-or

Sorry...I hit the Post button before I wrote...

"Mr timstown"... don't let somebody pin you down on this... because you went "out front" for us...

Heck. I can't type anymore.

Yes I can. Mr vicaxp... the way you start your day and go through it is an admirable way. Think what would happen to the human race if we got up and did it the way the people Mr timstown brought to mind did it? We'd be back with the dinosaurs.

{"commentId":458000,"threadId":"65326","contentId":"504790","authorDomain":"michaelj-or"}

#7 - Wed Jan 3, 2007 11:48 PM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"65326","isPrivate":false}

VICAXP

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Because I Can

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