"Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood."
Published on September 19, 2004 By Sally jacobs In Blogging
Blacklisting I think is a great concept. It allows people to choose who has a say on their blog. It allows them to write things that are close to their heart, yet they don't have to put up with people who are rude, or argue for the sake of it, or say things that aren't relevant to the thread at all. Their blog, is exactly that. Theirs. Because it is their for people to read, people think that gives them some kind of right over it. It really doesn't. That is what your blog is for. There is a certain amount of respect you should keep for other peoples blogs. No matter what they say. By all means argue your corner, but don't be offended if you're blacklisted, to be anything else, would just be a waste of typing time. In my opinion, anyway. I do see the down sides to blacklisting too. That people can use it to their advantage, to say things and not have a counter argument, because shock horror, they may be wrong! As I said before though, that's their blog, and they can. So overall I think it's a good thing, it means the community isn't ruined by arguing, and bickering, people can go on with their business. I know it doesn't always happen like that, but for the most part this community is full of respectful, intelligent, kind people, so the need to blacklist isn't that high anyway.

I have never blacklisted anyone from my blog, and I don't know if anyone has blacklisted me, I don't even know how you know that. Because you can't comment on their articles? If that's the case, then I don't know of anybody that has blacklisted me. Blacklisting is something I would only use as a very last resort, if I thought I couldn't talk common sense to that person, and who's comments were really winding me up. No one here is like that. So I can't see me wanting to blacklist any time soon. Touch wood, hehe. Now I know I can't compare the JU community to the rest of the world, but we do have a community here, that brings people from all different parts of the world, all different walks of life. So everyone is not going to get on with everyone else. Everyone is not going to agree with everyone else. That's just the way life is. I prepared myself for this, I thought there would be people that I didn't like here. That I wouldn't get on with. Just the way things are. So I am surprised. There is no one here that I truely dislike. No one at all. There are people I don't always agree with, that I sometimes question their reasoning. I don't dislike anyone though, I can see good in all of them. There is one person that irritates me slightly, but I have avoided them at all costs, and not got into their sad little lying saga. Even them, I don't dislike though, I feel sorry for them, and if that person decided to have a clean slate. Then I would even give them the chance.

Here is the point of this article. I don't blacklist people from my blog. I do blacklist myself from other peoples blogs though. There are some people I just don't comment on their articles. There are some people whos articles I don't even read, mostly due to a difference in interests than anything else. There are some peoples blogs I think are fab. That I read all the time. I don't comment on though. Sometimes for a lack of something to say, but mostly because I have blacklisted myself from their blog. That I don't think my comment will be appreciated, that I get the feeling they don't like me. I know that could be just me, but it is an impression I get. I can still enjoy their articles. Just no comments. It works for me. I know my comments may be welcome. I just think it avoids any differences. I don't know if that's the wimps way out, and I don't know if I should make the effort to comment on these people. Or to just leave it as it is. Enjoy their stuff, but don't let them know that I do. Is it best to blacklist yourself, or wait to be blacklisted? Is it best to give things a chance, or do damage control before they start? Yes I know, I'm a wimp, who makes no sense. Sorry!

Comments
on Sep 19, 2004
I do the same thing. There are tons that I just don't feel welcome at, for whatever reason. After a time, I just stop reading them. I can't imagine anyone ever blacklisting you, though.
on Sep 19, 2004
I just think you are really nice person, Sally.
on Sep 19, 2004
Good Blog! I practice the same policy. There are just some blogs I don't want to read and even more that I might read, but won't comment on.

I've heard about an 'ignore' feature that may be available on JU in the future. I haven't blacklisted anyone here at JU, yet, but there are plenty of blogs I'd probably add to an ignore list.
on Sep 19, 2004
A valuable idea. Ditto on chip... an "ignore" feature would be welcome.

Dan
on Sep 19, 2004
There are just some blogs I don't want to read and even more that I might read, but won't comment on.


What chiprj said.
on Sep 20, 2004
I can't imagine anyone ever blacklisting you, though


Same goes for you WF, I guess some people just don't know what they are missing huh

just think you are really nice person, Sally.


Thankyou so much! You're pretty wicked yourself!

I've heard about an 'ignore' feature that may be available on JU in the future


So if we get to ignore people, does that mean they cease to exist? I mean that's a good idea, excpet what about when you come across each other on other threads, and you don't see what the other is saying, won't you be missing out? Oh I don't know...

A valuable idea. Ditto on chip... an "ignore" feature would be welcome.


Yep it would have advantages!

Thanks for the comments
on Sep 20, 2004
Sally, you are quite the diplomatic chick . . . I think what you do is terrific. On the whole I have the same policy, but sometimes I slip. I'm not as sweet as you, though. Great article!
on Sep 21, 2004
you are quite the diplomatic chick .


Ha i don't know about that! Avoid conflict because I'm a big wimp is more to the point!

I'm not as sweet as you


Whatever! You're a lovely chick
on Sep 21, 2004
LW, thankyou for the comment. I read alot of your blogs too. I feel that it is best not to comment on them though as i know how you feel about the people I associate with and the issues you have had with them. So I do it out of respect for you. I do read alot of your stuff though, and I also enjoy alot of it.

I don't have a problem with you at all, as I've said before you're comments have always being insightful, and relevant to the topic, and you have always been decent to me, and I hope that I have been the same in return. I don't think I worded that well at all.

I will keep an eye on Dharmas thread, and hopefully it will be a sign of a few changes around here. Your comments are always welcome here though, and I do try to keep my threads as argument free as possible. I also know what is right and wrong, and will stand by it, no matter who tells me it's right or wrong. Friends or not.

Thanks for the comment
on Sep 21, 2004
it will NEVER be mentioned on any thread of mine, i give you my personal guarantee of that.


Same goes for here LW.

if you can get those other friends to agree to the same, perhaps we can start talking to each other, instead of lurking...hehe.


Hehe, sounds good to me! I think I can manage that. You are more than welcome here anytime, and I shall grace you with some of my waffley comments. Ha, you will regret this day! Hehe..
on Sep 21, 2004
Hmmm...I don't think I'll have any reason to blacklist anyone...I did think that perhaps I was blacklisted for a time...but I soon worked out...with a little help from fellow blogger, Mignuna, that I was simply not turning to page 2 after the first page had reached 50......but for a little bit I felt a pang of anxiety.. wondering what I could have possibly said to upset someone so.....I'm glad I didn't.....
But something I have noticed here is that without the visual of that slight facial expression.... the wink at the end of a sarcastic remark .....the smile...chuckle.....words can seem quite emotionless at times and can be misenterpreted without their partner in life ...'body language'.
So, I hope if I ever rub anyone the wrong way we give each other the chance to rectify and maybe re explain...if perhaps the true meaning of words were misenterpreted. And I will always do the same for others...disagreements can always be sorted.....life is too short to hold a grudge.....
on Sep 21, 2004
Never have blacklisted, and never will.

....it's all part of the JU experiece!

There's probably only very few people who's blog's I wouldn't leave comments on, and the others I just haven't got around to reading yet. There's a few topics/categories here that just don't interest me, so I just stay away from them/those.

Over all though, I'd say we have a pretty good cross section of society blogging here, and that's what keeps things interesting. Blacklisting, to me, isn't necessary. If some fool want's to leave negative, stupid or hateful comments on my blog ~I'll leave them there so everyone gets to see the stupidity/pettiness of the comment.
on Sep 22, 2004
I did think that perhaps I was blacklisted for a time


I remember going on someones blog, and their messaging was switched off, but I thought that I was balcklisted and that it was just me that couldn't comment. Until Mugz explained it to me, hehe.

I have noticed here is that without the visual of that slight facial expression.... the wink at the end of a sarcastic remark .....the smile...chuckle.....words can seem quite emotionless at times and can be misenterpreted without their partner in life ...'body language'.


Yeh I am so sarcastic, that I worry people will take me seriously, it helps to throw the odd smiley in, I'm terrible for doing 'hehe'.

I hope if I ever rub anyone the wrong way we give each other the chance to rectify and maybe re explain...if perhaps the true meaning of words were misenterpreted.


I'm pretty laid back, I doubt it will ever come to that. Unless someone was really intentionally rude, and it was a personal attack rather thamn attacking opinion, that is the only time I would blacklist, and even then it would probably have to be someone I didn't know.

There's a few topics/categories here that just don't interest me, so I just stay away from them/those.


Yeah same here. I know what I like, so I just don't read stuff that doesn't interest me.

If some fool want's to leave negative, stupid or hateful comments on my blog ~I'll leave them there so everyone gets to see the stupidity/pettiness of the comment.


My thoughts exactly.

Thanks for the comments guys xxxx