I know two men who say they don’t like blogs. I find that… short-sighted.
The keyboard is mightier than the sword. Or… at least as capable of inflicting damage. Photo © 2007 by photographer Michael Maggs used via CC license.
However…
To generalize that experience to all blogs, to say they are all lacking merit, is wrong.
A blog is nothing more than a content management system for easy website building.
This reminds me of people who don’t like the internet because it is easy for people to misuse it for unwholesome purposes.
Yes, people can do that, but the truth is that the internet is not an evil entity… it is just a communication medium that links people of similar interests together.
The problem isn’t the internet, the blogs, or blogging in general.
The problem is … people.
Some people use their blogs for good purposes.. to raise money for worthwhile charities, to share crochet patterns, or to write about their books.
Others use a blog to excoriate people for whatever perceived wrong they may have done.
Don’t blame blogs!
Blame the people who used their blog to attack.
One could even blame oneself for doing something that was open to a public attack, if the situation warrants it.
If blogs were banned, would that be fair to everyone who is using them to share crafting ideas, or recipes, or helpful information?
Of course not.
In fact, a ban on blogging would be a serious First Amendment issue in the USA.
Does anyone here like freedom of speech?
As with any other type of slander or libel, there are legal remedies, however they’re not easily applied.
If you have a problem with a blogger’s report on you, there are a few steps you could take, rather than complaining about all blogs, bloggers and blogging in general.
1. Save the page to your hard drive as proof.
2. Ask the blogger to remove the information you find embarrassing.
3. Request a retraction of erroneous information. This would be done with a new blog posting to clear your name.
4. Hire a lawyer to send a scary letter to the blogger threatening a lawsuit.
Most people won’t have to go beyond this point, because most bloggers don’t want to be bothered with lawsuits.
If that’s not true in your situation, your lawyer will be able to guide you regarding your next best step.
But please, don’t walk around telling people that blogs are bad, and should be eradicated from the internet.
The person you’re telling that to could be a blogger, listening incredulously, wondering what freedom of speech means to you.
