Have you ever found a loose thread on a shirt that you just couldn't resist pulling? (You should be hearing the voice of Andy Rooney when reading this.) Didn't it drive you crazy as it got longer and longer? And what about when you looked down and realized that continuing to pull this thread instead of just snipping it off has completely ruined the shirt. Didn't that make you feel silly? (OK, Andy voice off) You may be wondering where all of this is going, and that's exactly the point that I'm trying to make. OK, maybe I need to go back just a couple of steps here for those of you not already hip deep in the blogging world.
- Bloggers like myself put up postings on a variety of subjects
- Most bloggers allow comments on these postings as a way of allowing the presentation of additional information, encouraging discussion, or just having some fun with the subject.
- The list of comments after a posting is called a "thread".
- Most people commenting do so intelligently, rationally, and politely.
- Some people commenting do not. They either bring up extraneous information which diverts the attention of the readers from the original subject, use this forum as a soapbox for their own agendas, or in some cases just get mean, petty, and personal - commenting on other comments and the people who make them instead of the subject at hand.
This is not to say that rational discourse does not take place in blogging. I have shared intelligent, thoughtful and amusing exchanges with many out there; even those who I disagree with. Likewise I should say that I can only look at this from the outside, as postings on this site do not normally engender long threads of commentary and irrational discourse that I am talking about. I would like to tell you that this is because of my amazing ability to sway people to my opinion, but find it more likely that I simply do not have the volume of readership or take on the type of subjects in a way which inspires such vitriol and insanity.
I have been watching with interest and amusement, a couple of these longer threads on other blog sites in recent days. They are guilty of everything I am talking about: wandering off subject on a scale that would intimidate Johnny Appleseed, personal attacks that should make those involved grateful that the practice of dueling is no longer in favor, and naming calling that ranks right up there with one 4 year-old calling another "doo-doo head". Reading them is like watching a bad version of a TV reality show in which the residents can't seem to get along with each other and seek to draw attention to themselves through mindless misbehavior.
While some might consider such things (and shows) entertainment, I simply find them further proof that civilized behavior is dying in the world. I will not try to delve too deeply into the background of misbehavior of this type however, as I have always found that such actions, and the children who commit them, should be ignored rather than catered to by attention (just ask my kids).
It's a shame that blogging has to be the beneficiary such childish behavior. It's a shame that many use anonymity to spread ignorance, stupidity, and vitriol. It's a damn shame that rational discussion on many issues in this country cannot take place without a breakdown of good manners and civility. Having said all of this however, I find that I should end this posting as well, before the thread of my argument gets away from me and begins to unravel as well.
Annoying things these loose threads; and the longer they get, the more annoying they become, and the more damage they do.
