Blogging, Comments and Self Censorship

Published by Rudy Bachraty June 1st, 2007 in Blogging and Sellsius Real Estate Blog.

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Self Censorship when blogging and commenting: What is it? Thoughts? Experiences?

15 Responses to “Blogging, Comments and Self Censorship”

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1 sellsius Jun 2nd, 2007 at 10:03 am

I think the permanence of the written word on a blog causes one to reflect on what they post or comment. There is no going back (but you can backflip if you are talented pup)so I think we measure the words. I also have a theory that if the written word can be taken in a positive or negative sense, the tendency is to take the negative sense.
Plus, there is no verbal or visual feedback— like tone, laughter, body language, facial expression. Thank goodness for

—jf
2 Teresa Boardman Jun 2nd, 2007 at 3:11 pm

I consider commenting and blog posts to be high risk activities.
I agree people will see the negative and I know that people who do not know me take sometimes “blunt” and opinionated comments the wrong way. Humor is even more risky because the can not see the smile. There are lies about me on the internet that will be there forever.

Yes I sensor myself in both comments and posts. I know that no matter what I write someone won’t like it but I keep writing anyway.
3 Phil Thomas Di Giulio Jun 2nd, 2007 at 4:27 pm

Since our conversation this week was the catalyst for this posting, I guess I’m obligated to comment (after self-censoring of course).
4 tony Jun 2nd, 2007 at 5:12 pm

Excellent points in the comments about self censorship.

However, it seems that self censorship has a reverse side as well. Anecdotally, linking behavior seems impacted by the permanence of the web…people seem to be more likely to link to “juiced blogs” than necessarily the best or most relevant content out there.

Thoughts?
5 sellsius Jun 2nd, 2007 at 6:27 pm

Teresa,

And there is no eraser on the net. Can anyone create one?

Phil,

Yeah, we should have said that this post was inspired by our conversation the other night. Thanks again for your hospitality.

Tony,

When we started, we did just as you say—- our blogroll was automatically populated with the “name” blogs. As soon as we realized no one was reading us, we thought, heck we’ll link to whoever we want, regardless of “juice”. There are so many great blogs out there, flying well below the radar. The Technorati rating system is not reliable —it’s more a madness of crowds effect mixed with longevity.
6 Jay Thompson Jun 2nd, 2007 at 9:05 pm

I’ve had to bite my tongue on more than one occasion… The internet is forever. I got flamed on a forum one time and the guy’s comments now rank higher in Google than his own website…

http://tinyurl.com/38co6d
7 Laurie Manny Jun 4th, 2007 at 6:29 am

Ha, if we said everything that was on our minds we would be notorious.
8 April Jun 4th, 2007 at 7:29 am

I will freely admit to self censorship. I think it is vital to being correctly understood. I tend to be very expressive when I speak and it is eaiser to convey my message when it is coupled with my body language, etc. Don’t get that in the written word…at least not without some serious thought, word crafting, and…self censorship.

I also find it important because you can’t write without drawing upon people you know. So, I realize I am not just putting myself out there, but others as well. That’s a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
9 sellsius Jun 4th, 2007 at 9:22 am

And unlike a conversation, there is no room to adjust your message, based on the immediate feedback of your listener. You have to wait until they respond in writing to see if they got your message as you intended.

Here’s another thing—immediacy. When Rudy, Phil and I were talking, we covered so many subjects, back and forth, in an hour, that would have taken perhaps days of blog post writing to cover. And the synergy of a live conversation, I suspect, cannot be duplicated with blog post/comment exchange.
(Just MHO.)
10 Austin Realtor's Wife Jun 4th, 2007 at 11:17 am

Another aspect to self censoring (which I will admit is a weakness of mine) is that you become comfortable with the people you “talk” to every day and leave comments that you would never leave on a “stranger’s” blog, so be mindful of your blogging comfort level and appropriateness. Perfect example of inappropriate, PERMANENT TO THE BLOGOSPHERE comment stupidity: http://www.bawldguy.com/a-slice-of-san-diego-the-lips/
11 sellsius Jun 4th, 2007 at 12:47 pm

Well said Wife.
PS Love the comment. Its brevity speaks volumes.
12 Mitchell Hall Jun 4th, 2007 at 7:33 pm

I’ve found out that a Blog comment can often be taken as the exact opposite of what the comment was meant to mean. Sometimes it’s best to just pick up the phone.
13 sellsius Jun 4th, 2007 at 9:16 pm

Well put Mitchell.

As Teresa pointed out, this is especially true with humor. Be sure to sprinkle a lot of :)
14 April Groves Jun 8th, 2007 at 1:30 pm

Ran into another situation today. I am passionate about political philosophy. Had a great article written…no where to post it. I am not yet comfortable with being that controversial with the entire virtual world. Self censored and filed the article away for when I become independently wealthy:)
15 sellsius Jun 8th, 2007 at 1:34 pm

April, we’d be happy to post it here under “Open Mike”

http://tinyurl.com/326yu8