Comments policy
I have decided that there is now a need for a comments policy on this blog as I have had a lot of comments on my previous entry, some of which are just people arguing with each other. I do, however, completely support the idea of debate. I just don’t approve of bitching. I wrote the following in a comment on my previous entry but feel that I should add it into another separate entry.
I welcome constructive criticism (i.e. explaining what is wrong with such and such a point of view and what could be done to improve that) but do not like the idea of anyone bitching about people or opinions. It is a free country and we are all entitled to say pretty much what we want (hence me not having an actual comments policy) but I will give you an example of what I see as acceptable and what I do not approve of – though I am always more likely to rip apart your arguements if you say something really destructive rather than deleting your comment.
Take, for example, a post on Union council – there are a few of these already and will be more throughout the year. Also my blog is primarily a democracy tool (as I explained in comment 12 on my last entry).
An acceptable comment would be something along the lines of:
“I don’t agree with the way you voted on the motion about green rabbits. It is in the best interests of the students if rabbits are allowed to be green. Would you please be kind enough to explain why you do not approve of rabbits being green. What would your alternative suggestion be?”
To which I would produce a constructive reply:
“I accept your stance on the ‘green rabbits’ debate, but after having heard arguements from both sides, I decided to vote against the motion. This was because I felt that it would be more in the best interests of the students if the rabbits were red. However, I have taken your point on board and will consider this if a similar motion comes up at the next council meeting.”
A not acceptable comment would be along the lines of:
“Ha, loser! Rabbits should be green and you don’t agree so I don’t like you.”
To which I would reply something along the lines of:
“Commenter, I do not think that I am a loser. There was a perfectly good reason I decided to vote against the ‘green rabbits’ motion and that was that I saw it to be in the best interests of the students if rabbits were red. This motion stated only that rabbits should be green. Please remember that I am representing the best interests of everyone and not just you. You can say what you want about me but don’t judge my personality only on how I voted on some motion about green rabbits.”
PS: Sorry about the “green rabbits motion” that I decided to use as an example. I just couldn’t think of anything better.
So now you know what my comments policy is, please try to stick to it.
16 Nov 2006 01:17
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7 comments by 1 or more people
[Skip to the latest comment]You also happened to get caught in the crossfire of a bit of unrelated trolling, which really didn’t help
Something I’ll warn you of now Kerri, which to me is a bit of an anomaly, is that people care more about Union democracy on WB than they do offline. Online voting is so popular because, especially for those living in Leamington, it can be done with little effort. Democracy as it stands generally is full of apathy and the Union remains no exception and really needs not only people who are interested in it but can also inspire the interest in others. Unfortunately people are more likely to resort to hostilities here as a comment on a blog is somewhat less accountable than a criticism in real life.
I’ve also blogged about “how to comment” and as people quickly forget about any written rules know the best way to fully enforce any protocol is through the delete comment link. ;)
16 Nov 2006, 02:26
Ben Bakemore
What’s Warner Brothers got to do with Union Democracy?
19 Nov 2006, 16:27
If you meant the “green rabbits” motion, then I couldn’t think of anything better. For information, if a green rabbits motion came up in council (though we don’t have a meeting on April fools’ day – it’s a Sunday and most likely in Easter hols), I would vote against it on the grounds it is incredibly stupid. This was only an example based on the main purpose of my blog.
19 Nov 2006, 17:45
Anonimity Is My Middle Name
How’s this for a comment Kerri.
I’m sick of people who tag or entitle their blog entries with the word ‘random’ or some derivative of it.
Either write an entry or do not. To tag it or entitle it ‘random’ implies that you want to blog the material but you don’t want people to know that you want to blog it.
Stop it!
Does this class a constructive comment?
22 Nov 2006, 19:09
Anonimity…,
I do not use the “random” tag for the reason you suggested. I use it to tag entries about what I consider to be random events. This blog is called “Warwick life according to Kerri” and not “Union democracy according to Kerri”. Therefore is it not right that I post about things other than Union democracy/other serious stuff?
23 Nov 2006, 11:09
Kerri, I not only wholeheartedly commend you on this entire blog, but agree with your hypothetical point that rabbits should be red. I think everything should be red, especially politicians.
07 Jan 2007, 23:44
Like your thinking Lucy, even if I’m anything but a socialist :)
08 Jan 2007, 00:41
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