to blacklist or not to blacklist...
When you are on Joeuser a lot, you begin to follow other people's train of thought, whether you really want to or not.
It's hard to ignore certain bloggers, because sometimes they respond to blogs that are of interest to you as well. There's only so much you can do... you can scroll as quickly as possible if you don't want to read their stuff, or avoid topics of discussion that you're sure they're interested as well. This poses a problem: it's like avoiding a store because one person who is mildly interested in shopping there, might want to make a purchase. Do you give up shopping altogether at this particular store, and others like it, even though you enjoy it without that possible customer?
More than likely, the answer is no. You suck it up, take your time to browse and turn the other way if you happen to see them in a nearby isle. You don't want to be around that shopper, so you use your right to avoid them.
But, here's another issue that is difficult for me to address: the blacklisting of a fellow blogger. In a way, in every way, blacklisting is censorship. And everyone knows that censorship is uncool. It's not allowing a person the freedom of speech. To give an opinion, and to have a say on issues regarding politics, relationships, etc,. There's something wrong with someone who wants to weild this power. Or is there?
I'd be happy to allow anyone with a dissenting opinion give the opportunity to present reasons why they feel this way. Done with maturity, honesty, and respect, it would be hard to want to use the blacklisting option available at Joeuser. It's only when things get ugly, when people start to direct their personal viewpoints against someone else, where I start to consider the option. There's a difference between being passionate about an issue and being a bully. When you can recognize a blogger's words responding to someone else's blog and you feel the need to apologize for his behavior, then you know there's a problem.
Now, there are people who can just blow up. Maybe they are having an off-day, and their arguements look weak, due to the emotional context that they are writing from. Fine. I'm prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt. The only person they are hurting in this instance is themselves. They can present their opinion as authoratatively as they want... people will make up their own minds about it: rarely do they convince anyone of their position. But again, this is different from people who harrass while making their statements. Who make personal digs at others who dare to dissent.
It's a difficult decision to blacklist someone. I didn't reach this conclusion lightly. There are a few people at Joeuser who I don't enjoy reading, but not enough to not allow them the chance at response. I have finally taken the final step though, and while I don't like doing it, I don't regret it either. And the fact is, I've yet to encounter this person on my own blog. Maybe on some of my friends' blogs, but that's all.
But that's enough. For me, anyway.