from The Art of Manliness: 6 ways to bring civility online

Robin, please move this if you'd prefer it in a different forum. In light of recent discussions, Gayle and I thought we all may need a refresher in Internet civility. I know that I'll remember this article the next time I start typing without consideration.

http://artofmanliness.com/2011/07/13/being-a-gentleman-in-the-age-of-the-internet-6-ways-to-bring-civility-online/

Jessica and I discussed this on FaceBook. I totally agree. Thank you, Jessica, for reposting.

[Robin Garr]

Thanks, you two! Good topic, good location, and I appreciate you both thinking of the good of the forum.

[Robin Garr]

Right off the top, this:

Certainly the loss of empathy from interacting as anonymous, disembodied selves is a major factor.

... is why I take such a strong position against anonymous registration in the forum. Speaking as our real selves makes a difference. See the comments section after any CJ story online to see where anonymity takes us.

Did you write this, Robin?

3. Use your real name.

This is simple: if you’re not proud enough of something to have it associated with your real name, then why are you writing it?

Here's another tip they article failed to mention:

Refrain from posting after indulging in large quantities of alcohol or other mind altering substances.

[Robin Garr]

Did you write this, Robin?

3. Use your real name.

This is simple: if you’re not proud enough of something to have it associated with your real name, then why are you writing it?

I didn't, but I could have!

Hey Robin is there any way you could make this required reading? I love this article!

[Robin Garr]

Refrain from posting after indulging in large quantities of alcohol or other mind altering substances.

Extremely good advice. Without even getting into the Hungarian pear brandy, I'll just say that I sometimes intuit impairment from "interesting" posts.

Refrain from posting after indulging in large quantities of alcohol or other mind altering substances.

Extremely good advice. Without even getting into the Hungarian pear brandy, I'll just say that I sometimes intuit impairment from "interesting" posts.

Nobody is impaired at 4:00 on a Wednesday afternoon. Personally, I learned this lesson long ago. Haven't touched an illicit drug in, well, I can't honestly tell you. No words mizpelled, no drastic change in structure. Same person as always.

So I got too creative and crossed the line. I got too passionate and crossed the line. Yet, picking this up on another thread and speaking to both Brian and myself like we aren't in the room also crosses the line.

Personally, my writing style is based upon Vonnegut, Bukowski and to a lesser extent even Steinbeck, Hemmingway, King and Cummings. A form of poetry and prose that relies upon 'digestible bites.' Even the medium itself is fair game...

Don't acuse a person of something they simply aren't guilty of (or that you can't prove) on a public board. That's the most important ettiquite rule of all, IMHO.

No words mizpelled

Think you are being a little paranoid Stephen. Now if Robin had used "bizarre" instead of "interesting" then I could understand your concerns.

[Robin Garr]

So I got too creative and crossed the line. I got too passionate and crossed the line. Yet, picking this up on another thread and speaking to both Brian and myself like we aren't in the room also crosses the line.

Stephen, my friend, I wasn't even thinking about you. Or Brian. Just talking in general terms. And other forums. And, of course, Hungarian pear brandy.

Stephen,
I posted the original comment. If it touched a nerve let me assure you were waaay down the list .

The "Art of Manliness"... ....Whatever.

<edited to remove alcohol induced inappropriate comments>