|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| Sorry for the lack of posts (for those of you that actually stop by and see if anything new has been posted). I'm in the midst of starting up a new blog through Wordpress. In the meanwhile, if you want to know what's going on these days, you can try the following:
1. e-mail me
2. call me
3. ask me in person.
I know, pretty revolutionary, huh? | | |
| Just read a very interesting blog entry where a blogger writes that,
"The posts were enough to trigger some extreme thought processes and
obsessions in this person that led to a chain of escalating events that
went from what I initially considered to be a harmless comment troll,
to a cyber-nuisance, to a concerning threat maker, to what
unfortunately became a situation where there was a physical attack made
upon my property."
He continues and writes,
"Firstly I think it’s important for us all to remember
that the words we write might be written with one intention - but that
they can be read and interpreted in a very different way. The blogger
who wrote the posts that triggered this chain reaction did not intend
for this to happen and could not have foreseen it. I don’t hold them
responsible for it and as I say we’ve resolved our differences. However
it has made me think twice before posting about other people since.
Secondly I wanted to remind bloggers to consider their personal safety.
While I’ve seen a number of articles in recent times about how to keep your blog
safe and secure from hacking and accidental loss - it’s also worth
considering how to keep yourself (and those you live with) safe and
secure also. When you write in a public forum you are doing so with the
hope that people will read you. The unfortunate side of this is that
you have little control over the perceptions of others towards you and
that from time to time people will disagree with you and even become
agitated towards you. This is both one of blogging’s biggest strengths
(ie the conversation, diversity and dialogue) but also one of it’s
biggest weaknesses when it goes to far."
Some good thoughts and
reminders. For everyone who has a xanga or blog or myspace,
remember that what you post publically online is for the ENTIRE
world -- not just your friends -- to see. This can include (but
not limited to) friends of friends, friends of friends of friends, friends of friends of friends of friends, parents, pastors, teachers,
students from your school that you know -- or don't know, random
neighbors down the street, people from another country...use your imagination.
Please remember that every bit of specific information (i.e. what
school you go to, what neighborhood you live in, your birthday, full
name, who you don't like, who you have a crush on, where you work, etc.) you share online is available to anyone and everyone
who has internet access. What's frightening is how much a random
stranger can piece together about you just from
your xanga/blog/myspace -- whether from what you share or even from
pictures.
Just a friendly reminder and warning for us to be careful with our words but also that we live in a fallen and sinful world...
| | |
| Xangaritis? Xangaholic?
A partial excerpt from wikipedia.org's entry on xanga (italics mine):
The word "Xanga" has also become a sort of vernacular for people who use it.
People will refer to their weblog as a "Xanga". In addition, the
term "Xangaritis" will sometimes be used to refer to Xanga addicts (who
in turn are sometimes referred to as "Xangaholics"). Some Xangaholics
will check their Xanga over 10 times a day. Others will sit on Xanga
and wait for friends to update, so that they can comment on the latest
post as well as learn what their friends might be up to. Much
procrastination is done through Xanga.
Some users attempt to fight off Xanga addiction by leaving a message
that they've gone on "hiatus". Others will post without allowing eProps
or Comments - or simply have a Xanga site, while refusing to post or
activate their guestbook.
Wow,
"10 times a day"?!?! I laughed when I read the sentence, "Much
procrastination is done through Xanga." Sounds as if the
person who contributed to the entry was a (former) xangaholic?
| | |
| If You Blog Read This
(from http://creationproject.blogspot.com/2005/07/if-you-blog-read-this.html, July 6, 2005)
Since
I started blogging, I've noticed a tendency towards solipcism, both in
my own blog and others'. Solipcism is essentially a philosophy of life
that is radically centered on Self. A blog promotes everything about
you and from you, from your point of view. Therefore, it is dangerous.
If you were the most important person in the world, then there would be
no danger, but there are many more persons more important than you (or
me), Three whose perspective is infinitely more estimable. There are a
variety of other dangers, like cyber-ranting your opinons and settling
for virtual community, which can threaten genuine relationships, both
with the Trinity and others.
So what's the solution to these
dangers? Drop the blog and hang out at coffeeshops with friends? Not
exactly. Like every other cultural and technological phenomenon,
blogging must be engaged critically and carefully. Setting some
personal guidelines isnt a bad idea. I came across these from a random
blogger. Whether you adopt them or not, give them some thought and
consider making your own.
Does this blog honor Jesus Christ as my Savior and King?
This is my first test because I am a Christian. I dare not assume the
affirmative and go on. In a sense, the other questions are simply an
elaboration of this overarching test. Is this a waste of my time? Is this an excellent use of my time, or is it simply my own version of solitaire?
Is there any value in the words? Is my blog valuable to myself and others, or is it just twaddle?
Am I taking myself too seriously? Am I pridefully exalting myself? Is this an excercise in vanity as I espouse the superior importance of my own inflated opinions?
Am I unaccountable? Is anybody going to read this who can really take me to task for my words?
Do I have a critical spirit? Is this a forum for complaint and criticism, or is it primarily for edification?
********************************************
The above entry has articulated quite succinctly some of my
own personal concerns -- first for myself, then for others -- about
blogging and subsequently also serves as an indirect response
to the question of why I don't write more. (I have other personal
concerns as well about the possible negative ramifications of the
"virtual" community that xanga -- and even instant messaging -- can
provide that perphaps I will extrapolate at some later point
in time.)
I think the above six questions can be useful as guidelines for not only xanga, but our lives as well; some good questions I believe worth considering for those of us who blog/xanga and follow Christ. | | |
|
