Dec 10, 2009
Why I’m rarely mean on my blog even though I’m not really that nice of a guy.
There are numerous people I’d enjoy critiquing—nay, lambasting—here, but I guarantee all of you like at least one of them.
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It’s a very public thing, a blog. It’s easy to not be mean.
True, but sometimes it’s easier to be mean (unintentionally) because we can’t see the people we are talking to, whether posting or commenting. Many of them we don’t even know. We can get caught up in discussing an idea and in only considering the idea, which doesn’t have any feelings, we can end up hurting a person’s feelings.
Let me change my words and say it this way.
I am motivated to not appear mean because everyone can see what I write. Sometimes this isn’t easy.
I’ve always believed that anonymity contributes to online meanness. One of the reasons I’ve always posted using my real name is so that I can be accountable for what I say.
I’m with you, Lee.
I’m sure we’d all be happier if we knew you were just being yourself, Abraham.
No you wouldn’t.
Nice.
I doubt it. He would just attract a bunch of mean people here. Imagine the commetns then.
Why is our happiness dependent on whether or not Abraham is 100% transparent online.
I’d call any one of your bluffs if you said you were 100% transparent online.
B/c only, we shouldn’t be 100% transparent online. Keep some boundaries.
Who can be 100% transparent in ANY situation?
The Invisible Man.
Not online I can’t.
He is being himself. Just not all of himself. Which we can all appreciate and resonate with.
The fact that he is thinking of others also shows that in a way he is being his true, thoughtful self, even though he does not share every thought that he thinks. It sounds like he’s putting off the old self and living Galatians 2:20.
I wonder what he thinks about everyone thinking about what he thinks…
Discretion is the better part of valor as they say.
I wish I had possessed this wisdom a few years. Instead, I picked a very public fight with a well known and well liked evangelical. Whoops.
that should say “a few years ago”
And Abraham, if it’s ever me, lambast away.
You’re very kind.
Case in point. Tempted to ironically lambast you about this post, but I’m not sure how other commenters would react.
One issue is that it’s impossible to know your audience online.
On the blog he feels compelled to be Atticus Finch but fears he’s really Bob Ewell. Deep down he wishes he could just be “Boo” Radley.
And of course the other factor is that people are partizan and petty enough these days that if they don’t like and agree with everything you write they won’t keep reading. Or worse yet, they might stop following you on Twitter!
I think it depends on your motives. If you are critiquing or lambasting in attempt to keep your readers from following someone teaching error, then lambast away. Sure, feelings may get hurt, but it might be needed. Martin Luther said “Peace if possible, truth at all costs.”
Oh, is it Michael Jackson?
The strongest thing I’ve seen you say was on FB or Twitter or something: “Woke up this morning worried I wouldn’t have something to mock [RETRACTED] for. Problem solved.” I laughed out loud. But blogging it probably would have generated some unpleasantness.
So who’s the one guy whom we all like?
Jesus?
I kinda doubt Abraham would have any desire to critique, nay, lambaste, our Lord and Savior.
Hmm. My sentence was ambiguous.
I wasn’t talking about one particular guy. Just that everyone in my audience could find someone they like in the crowd of people I don’t.
I thought that’s what you meant. I find the slight differences between (among?) ‘all,’ ‘each,’ and ‘every’ easy to lose track of when I’m not being intentional about it.
yeah. glad you clafified. but, what’s this??? you don’t like someone??? i’m getting out my church directory RIGHT NOW to make some guesses…
oops. i’m laughing at myself spelling “clarified” wrong. oh, the irony.
What is wrong with critiquing people’s beliefs as long as it is done Biblically???
Is it strange to have people talking about you like you’re not here…on your own blog?
Of the many reasons I keep reading your blog, Abraham, the fact that it is not a vicious debate blog ranks highly. There are too many boys considering themselves Christian theological watchdogs who really just want to pick fights.
Thanks for being merciful.
I agree with Chelsea, ‘niceness’ is a value-added feature on a blog when so many folks can be so nasty to others online. Regardless of the avatar, a real person is behind it.
I will now show my ignorance…. I thought it was pronounced lambLasting. Please laugh…. Otherwise I will feel uncomfortable. :)