Posted by Dinah on February 21, 2008, at 17:06:45
In reply to Re: Intimidated about posting... » Racer, posted by MidnightBlue on February 21, 2008, at 16:41:06
I probably ditch at least that many of my posts. And I do heavily edit and rewrite. It even shows in my posts, because I'll forget to make complementary grammar changes sometimes.
Not so much because of the civility guidelines, as because of the intent behind the civility guidelines. I wonder if I'm wording things sensitively, if I've allowed for my own errors or misconceptions, if the person I'm posting to is ready to hear what I'm posting, if what I'm posting is merely in compliance with the civility guidelines or is in the spirit of the civility guidelines as well, if what I say reflects what I meant to say, and if what I mean to say really should be said at all. I examine my feelings a bit to see if I feel really angry, and if I do I examine my post a few more times, then usually erase it and come back to it later. Because if I'm feeling uncivil, then I probably shouldn't be posting because that is really likely to leak out.
Everyone is talking about how the civility guidelines keep them from posting, and I just really don't understand. No one here wants to block anyone. No one gets blocked without warning. And usually warnings immediately preceding the block, although that sometimes isn't true of Dr. Bob.
I'm more likely not to post when I worry whether people will be as anxious to be respectful of me as I am to be respectful of them.
Some civility guidelines I do not understand completely, and some rulings I may not agree with, but in general I understand and appreciate the spirit behind the guidelines. Dr. Bob wants to foster respectful discussion. What is so horrible about that? I really really don't get it. I don't get why anyone wouldn't want a respectful environment where people care about hurting each other. I go to other websites, ones even on the most innocuous topics, and I can't believe how people talk to each other, and why anyone would want to engage in discussion there. Maybe I'm sheltered, or maybe I'm whatever the negative word for that is. I don't know. But I don't get it. I never have gotten it.
poster:Dinah
thread:813933
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20080204/msgs/813960.html