Tim O'Reilly -- the guy behind the O'Reilly computer books that have really neat woodcut animal pictures on the cover -- has recently proposed that bloggers follow a code of conduct. To me, when I read it over, it basically is summed up in the phrase "Do unto others as they would do unto you."
In other words, he's reminded us of what our kindergarten teacher told us when we were five: Play nice.
While I think he's got an interesting point, I don't see the Internet turning into a tea party with lace doilies anytime soon. While I like to think that I've followed my own personal code -- don't blog angry and don't be a jackass -- I don't think that I'm going to follow everything O'Reilly says.
For example, O'Reilly says bloggers should consider eliminating allowing anonymous comments. I don't know about that. I find that anonymous comments also bring out the best and most honest in people (as well as the worst in bullying and trolls). I'd argue that as a blogger and the person in charge of your website, you're responsible for setting the tone of the argument. We have the power to delete comments that we find inappropriate.
"But first amendment!" I can hear some people screaming. This is where I'd like to point out the following: You have the freedom to say what you want, however with a blog, newspaper or other media outlet has the power to choose what they will print/broadcast/publish. There's a reason why it's called being gatekeepers.
O'Reilly's ideas are worth discussing, but I really don't see anything changing anytime soon. It'd be like attempting to get porn out the Internet. Given the immediacy and the power to remain anonymous on the Internet, it's easy to mistake an idea of thought for the writer and flame them to bits. And I don't think that it'll ever end because it's part of human nature to attack first, ask questions later.
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