An interesting point was raised by one of our veteran contributors here at MindSay, regarding "Top Blogs" and the new listing that tracks comments and votes, and her contribution has recieved many, many comments so I know lots of MindSay members read it.
It's an interesting phenomena that unfolds here at MindSay, and happens everywhere else you look in the world - people are expressing themselves. And some express themselves in ways that are objectionable to others. Fact is if you tour through MindSay by clicking on "recent visitors" links on other people's blogs you'll discover there's an incredible array of ideas, styles, opinions, and yes some would be best rated as PG-13, R, or XXX.
revcathian suggested in one post we might try self-regulation and self rating, which wouldn't be a bad idea but people will never do it here and I suggest it's not going to happen any time soon!
Why?
Shock factor for one; many people here are experimenting with raising reactions from others. Often people seem to present a blog that is more of a "spin" than an honest posting of feelings or opinion. Some people - often with well written blogs will add nude photos of themselves - tasteful shots, artistic yes, but almost akin to a self-promotion, as if they're attempting to promote themselves and their blogs through their bodies... I've had to "turn off" the visible link for some of my contacts so that they don't show up on my blog page because of this. And if it's not a photo that offends it's their title or the first few lines of text that offend... I might still catch their blog from time to time but will do so from my contact list rather than having their words show up on my blog - avoiding the possibility of offensive material being there when I might not be looking!
And perhaps sometimes it's perfectly innocent - titles don't always indicate the material - though it sure would be helpful!
Even searching by tags isn't "safe" for avoiding objectionable material because people often don't really consider another person's sensibilities when posting here. There are language issues and material that is quite pornographic in nature describing sexual acts and preferences etc. Some people disguise their stories with poor quality graphic design by using a text and background that makes the writing unreadable until one takes the time to highlight in order to view what's written. A bizarre point: some people do the same with material that is helpful to others and yet they still hide it - I've yet to comprehend the purpose of that but, hey... each to their own drummer!
Then there are the people who use copyrighted material for their headers or web page design and/or for their profile photo. As an aspiring amateur photographer I find that objectionable as well. It is theft, plain and simple.
Can the new TopBlogs rating system prevent us from being assaulted by things that we personally find objectionable; NO! And it actually never did. I recall days when, on the old system, A TopBlog would show up on my "friends" section and the first entry would be objectionable - I will admit it was rare but it did happen.
Oh Hey, even some well trusted and respected, philosophical and spiritually leaning 'Sayers here who have often had well thought out entries have sometimes titled a piece or written a whole blog that would be objectionable to me so there is really no protection even by counting on contacts to produce consistently acceptable material.
What is most obvious is TopBlogs was never a rating system that could be trusted to deliver a well written or well designed entry - although we all hoped it might do that! Rather it's very hit and miss and, in addition, it's based on whether anyone on a particular day was in the mood to vote or reply to someone's personal entry, let alone read them.
So people - give up on thinking the TopBlogs listing actually means anything more than; entries with votes and or comments and activity. Perhaps the MindSay crew will eventually find a new name for it, as "top" is a misnomer a lot of the time!
Self regulation and self rating? Well people who enjoy vulgarity and pornography, or want to "stir up the pot" and shock people can skew the numbers can't they? It's not the best alternative - I've personally asked people to do this in the past to avoid having their rude entries show up on my "friends" listing and some have tried to do it from time to time - but again - not consistently! So what's a blogger to do?
One big one - if you're worried about children seeing such things - start now - teaching the children to learn to use discernment. For their own protection in a world that will blast them with views from every colour in the spectrum. Discernment is a tool that will help them in life, the earlier they learn it the better - and many already do it naturally. It's not an easy world that is unfolding "out there" and it's not any easier "in here" but there is a need for expression in our world in all it's variety and with time many will "mature" in their postings and find a style and a point of view that may well be of interest to others.
If you observe the world's current affairs, which for some can seem obscene these days, you see expressions of opinions and ideas that cover a very broad spectrum. If people are overly sensitive about this we will find ourselves constantly in war-like settings. It seems we need to thicken our skins a wee bit and learn to accept the fact that some people believe in anarchy or communism or racial supremacy or that we're all descendants of "spacemen" and the fact that those people are entitled to that opinion, regardless of anyone else's sensibilities! It's not an easy task but it is where we all need to get to eventually. All need to accept it - including those with such narrow views - and that's where our wars seem to evolve from - an inability to see others have the right to their beliefs, regardless.
Beliefs are one thing of course, murder and mayhem is quite another and isn't acceptable in any arena - no matter who justifies it or for what reason. As soon as a belief begins to suggest one person has a right to harm another a warning flag should come up and people of the world - in harmony - must speak out and act out against it! Humanity, in it's beautiful evolution, may reach a point where this is possible. That is my personal hope and my belief is tolerance and discernment will be necessary tools in that evolution's success!
Now if only the politicians and other leaders in this world would practice tolerance and discernment.
It is up to each member of the human race to begin to demand this of all leaders. Political, educational, business, social or religious leaders must be convinced this is necessary and only the members of the human race - collectively - can achieve that if they practice the same in their own lives and make their feelings known.
So welcome expression - could be the next Wadsworth is here among us - and pray that people develop their skills and their thoughts to a point where they become socially conscious and healthy contributors to our world!
mindsay
