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I think it's healthy to express another opinion on any given post on Blogit! It makes for great debate in my humble opinion! You might encounter nasty opposition but for the most part people on the site are civil! sam 
posted by
sam444
on May 7, 2013 at 5:49 PM
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I think you are worrying needlessly. As you've said, there does seem to be some general protocols and courtesies here at Blogit, but I believe most of them may fall under the heading of "common courtesy," and not just "on-line" courtesy. There are times when I visit someone's blog, but have nothing to say or no specific response to their topic, but don't necessarily feel the need to leave a calling card either. I try to always respond in some way to the comments left on my post, and really do appreciate it when others do likewise. But if they don't, there's really nothing I can do about that. I believe that everyone here is a sensitive, intelligent adult, and for the most part, act in a civilized manner and treat others as they would like to be treated. Yes, there might be a few dissenters from time to time, but they can usually be easily singled out and avoided . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 7, 2013 at 1:56 PM
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Thank you
for all thoughtful and very helpful responses!
posted by
Mia890
on May 7, 2013 at 11:32 AM
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A lot of those rules seem to be personal,
and we all have our rationales for our own rules. Maybe the safest thing to do is to ask particular people you want to respond to, what their expectations and desires are.
A lot of people come here to expose their writing, but they don't want anyone to critique the writing. They want comments on the content, not on the style or technique. A few do welcome real critique.
I leave calling cards when I simply want to show I was there, and had nothing to reply to the post. I get quite a few from some particular bloggers, and I am always glad to know they stopped by, and cared to let me know it was them.
It is always a matter of choice, to respond to comments. I see three ways to go: respond to all, respond to none, respond to those that actually ask a question or invite discussion. I have lately been aiming for the third option, because there isn't always time to answer all, and answering none is convenient, but let's face it--answering none reduces the inclination of people to read and to comment. I know how I feel when someone responds to my comments, and when they don't. I feel respected and acknowledged. When there is no response, I feel invisible and insignificant to that person. So sometimes I make the effort to find something to say, to acknowledge the commenter, and thank them for reading me.
Is it rude to disagree? That depends on the manner of disagreement. If it is personally insulting, yeah, I think most of us would call that rude. If it is civil, then it is the invitation to conversation. Conversation is food and drink to social critters like us.
I do think it is iffy to hijack someone's post topic with a long comment that leads other commenters to that, and away from the original post. No... I think that's rude. That's why we have our own places to post our opinions and manifestos. When I write such a comment, I usually cut it out, and repaste it as my own post, in my own blog, and leave a shorter comment on the first post.
We can't always be responsible for what other people consider rude, especially if they haven't laid out their expectations and rules beforehand.
This is a social site as much as an intellectual playground. So, courtesy is important. It's just that we are such a varied batch, our ideas of what's rude and what's polite can vary widely. So... it's a nice courtesy to give others some benefit of the doubt, that they don't mean to be rude, even when they disagree--they might just have learned other ways to express it. Some folks are looking for people to offend them. Some are looking for people to offend. But mostly, I think people here are better than that.
posted by
Ciel
on May 7, 2013 at 9:14 AM
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I agree with the others. I would like to add that you discover what works for you. I had a bad experience with one blogger. He started calling me a quack and was very insulting when I did not react to his demands that I write as he assumed I should. When he started using profanity, I reported him. It took a few months but his membersip was cancelled.
posted by
Dr_JPT
on May 7, 2013 at 7:51 AM
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People leave calling cards to let you know it was them who took the time to read your blog. Not everyone can think of something to say. I for one am glad that they do that because it lets me know who is reading my blog and if they are new I take the time to visit their blogs to see if I would like to add them to my list of favorites.
Yes people don't always agree. Sometimes I am so offended by what is posted that I only read it. Some people can take criticism or a different point of view ok and while it ruffles the feathers of others. You will find people who go from one end of the spectrum to the other. If you are not sure who will be offended by your differeing point of view then read their reactions to what others comment.
I am open and even though I differ with many here I accept their right to speak their mind and only hope that they respect mine. We can agree to disagree.
Hope this helps!
posted by
Annicita
on May 6, 2013 at 11:43 PM
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I feel that Naut has adequately answered the questions.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on May 6, 2013 at 8:06 PM
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Mia
Here are some answers to your very important questions. When I joined Blogit, back in '06, I had some very specific expectations - I had imagined it to be a kind of debating society, where people would seriously discuss serious issues. Of course I found out quickly it wasn't that at all, even though I did have a few serious debates with a few people over the years. I had also decided I would answer each comment, and stuck to that for a while, until I found it was impossible for me to keep it up and get some work done!
There are a few people who still do that - JimmyA comes to mind as well as CCT, and I for one appreciate it and always read their responses to my comments.
I will still answer comments on occasion when they are particularly pertinent to the issue at hand, and sometimes that leads to a debate, which I enjoy.
And about debating in general let me say, and I hope this doesn't sound too arrogant, I usually do know what I am talking about, particularly when it comes to history and social science, because that's my 'bag', LOL. That's not to say that I can't be wrong, but it has to be demonstrated to me in what way! Simply to say that I'm wrong ain't good enough.
The only other thing I ask for is civility in debate - but over the years there have only been three or four people who were really objectionable. On the other hand, there are people here I regard as real friends, although we've never met, and probaly never will, and even though we have rather different philosophies of life...
I could go on, but I have to look after my doggie, and I may post a few words about that in 'Thoughts.'
Anyway, I hope this has helped a bit...
posted by
Nautikos
on May 6, 2013 at 6:43 PM
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