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Lessons in internet responsibility

I guess I learned some lessons in internet etiquette this week.

Earlier this week, as I was driving to work, I was listening to Scott and Sue talk about Facebook, which I do, and Twitter, which I don't. These two are a lot like those who are regular readers of this blog, who are in turn a lot like me. We don't like to cause any undue hard feelings. Sue had mentioned that she has "defriended" some from Facebook because they have posted something offensive or other derogatory to her, or have posted unfair to some of her coworkers.

I called them and told them that I would stick to my simple blog, as Facebook and Twitter are too fast moving. Besides none of you want to know when I'm drinking a Coke Zero. But yesterday changed my perception of my "simple blog."

After posting the news about the unfortunate passing of Linda Trivisonno, I noticed that I was getting hits like crazy. I ended up getting 508 hits yesterday, way more than my previous high. I also posted a message of condolence to Mike Trivisonno on the message board I frequent. One of the trolls there decided to take me to task about what I've been posting all week. I then posted that I've been kicking myself because of that. Former Cleveland radio personality, Danny Wright, come on the board and told me not to be hard on myself. I thanked Danny for that and explained that I had taken two posts off my blog, as most of the people checking out my blog were not looking for what would seem to them as a petty, and unfair, dispute.

This was one of these moments that enlightened me as to why bloggers are looked at in a very dim light. I realize that even though I can put whatever I want on this blogspot, I should be responsible for what I post, for the 45-60 hits I on a usual day, or for the times I get a huge spike.

That goes for all social networking. You really have no idea who you are going to effect with your messages.

Comments

Busy Bee Suz said…
I think you may be stressing yourself out about this Cliff. So don't. :)
I am not a big fan of facebook and would not think to twitter.
I do enjoy the blogging, if I find something offensive, then I just don't read it. If someone leaves an un-nice comment, that delete button is really handy. :)
Take care, Suz
July 31, 2009 12:46 PM
struke said…
Cliff...I feel the same about Twitter. IM and e-mail have already caused people's grammar and writing skills to erode. Limiting responses to 140 characters or whatever it is, encourages more poor communication.

You are a good man in that you actually have feelings and care about others.

No one wishes cancer on anybody, not even Trivisonno's wife. I pray for him and his family. Dealing with cancer is tough enough. Removing the posts criticizing Triv was the right move. Someone from the family might have logged on to your blog and gotten sucker punched.

The move to remove the posts was the right and comassionate thing to do.
July 31, 2009 1:05 PM
J. Moses said…
Cliff,

I've taken a lot of heat in the last week. Not for anything I said about a specific radio/TV personality - but for things I've said about television in general in town. It's all in how you handle it. I believe that for maybe the next few weeks, criticism of Triv should take a backseat to support and condolences.

For your part, I believe you handled it well. Again I commend you for removing those posts - it was the time to do so.
July 31, 2009 8:28 PM
Minerva said…
If someone thinks that being insensitive to others is in your nature, they need to read more than a few entries in your blog. You are just the opposite.
August 01, 2009 4:47 PM
Diane Vogel Ferri said…
I agree that we need to be responsible for what we post. you never know when someone will google something and end up on your blog. I've had a few comments when people took something I wrote the wrong way and that was a bit upsetting because it was out there.
August 03, 2009 5:20 PM
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