Published on February 12, 2004 By HughAhrdum In Blogging
“Blogs for the average Joe.” Being the sub title of the site and all, it seems a bit off to me how many "average Joe’s" can be so pompous. How can you stumble upon a really well designed, well managed, free blog site and think that your opinion is more important and more logical then anyone else’s here? If you're so smart, why don't you have your own successful blog website? Every post I’ve read here has been flamed, weather it be on opinion or fact, someone always has a more true fact then the rest.

To me flames are a necessary part of a website, just as criticism is a necessary part of life. On the other hand, when flat out gratuitous personal attacks are handed out like free samples at Sam’s club, I believe the line has been crossed.

No one here seems to be paying for these services, so how can you have the ignorance to criticize it? If someone gives you a free cake, you don’t whine about how you like rainbow sprinkles better then chocolate, and if they just spent a dollar more they could have given you whipped cream, you take the cake, and thank them. From there, you can either eat the cake or choose not to, but you still just got something for free. So if there people are giving you room to talk for free, why would you complain, if you don’t like it here, leave, don’t try to demand rights for something you have merely been presented the option to involve yourself in.

Again this is just my opinion, and it is redundant in the sense that I’m complaining, but in its harshness it’s merely thanks for this great opportunity, and confusion towards those that don’t see it as one.

Comments
on Feb 12, 2004
I have to agree on the flaming part. One of the reasons I don't visit a lot of forums (especially at fansites) is because an opinion isn't respected. It's either "well, you don't like this, so you're wrong. I'm right because I do." It's a narrow-minded point of view to have.

You brought up some good points.
on Feb 13, 2004
hugh, i just stopped by to thank you for your comments on my "legacy of a teen suicide" story. i wanted to tell you that i welcome such thought-provoking comments in my blog - please feel free to visit anytime. thanks, mig
on Feb 15, 2004
Is the glass half full or half empty? Flames, I fear, are the price that one pays for an open forum. Banning users or deleting inappropriate posts are ways to end flaming on a site, but at such a cost.... thus, we do it only as a last resort.

Having an open site, open to all, means that Hugh and Miguna get to meet, kindred spirts separated by physical miles. What a nice thing Hugh wrote on Miguna's post and what a polite response Miguna posted above. At least at this point, the glass is brimming over with kindness.
on Feb 15, 2004
The problem is not hubris per se, but the inability of certain people to acknowlege my mental and moral superiority.
on Feb 15, 2004
PoetPhilosher, if you think that I will flame you (or anyone) on a post about flaming.....ow, my head hurts!!! LOL!

Seriously, please see my post about community here: http://kupe.joeuser.com/articlecomments.asp?AID=7397&s=1

And, HughAhrdum, welcome the community. You write well. Some poems next. perhaps?
on Feb 15, 2004
PP

That was the funniest thing i ever saw on the forums.

We will acknowledge your superiority when you acknowledge my inadequacies.

Now... back on topic...

I find flamers are a required part of any community.

- its a quick way to point out morons.
- its opens up another perception.

BAM!!!