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2009·09·19 · 13 Comments |
| Internet Infallibility |
This is not the kind of post I like to write. To be honest, I must admit that this kind of diatribe flows quite easily from my naturally critical nature, but I would really rather not post it, and I certainly don’t want this to become typical of this blog. Nevertheless, I’ve been sitting on these thoughts for a couple of years now, and recent events have prompted me to be done with it. So I offer my apologies for the possibly unpleasant tone, but not for the content, that follows this preface. It might seem a bit exaggerated and overwrought, but I have carefully considered the truthfulness of my statements, as well as the motives behind them, and my conscience is clear.
A few observations:
And a warning:
If you build a personality-based following, that is, if your fans — you have fans! — “love” you because you are cool, hip, edgy, controversial, in-your-face, be aware that your comment section will be populated by high-fiveing sycophants who will do little more than congratulate you for your cleverness. You will enjoy their adoration. After all, who wouldn’t? You might — and here is the hazard — start believing you really are as sharp as they think you are. But you’re not, and you never will be. No matter how intelligent, erudite, and astute you are, you will never be the genius your blog-disciples take you for, because their critical thinking skills have been blinded by the shekinah of your personality.
Consequently, you will tend to dismiss challenges to your ex cathedra encyclicals without giving them serious thought. You will find it easy to simply mock your challengers and send them on their way, while your followers heap on the adulation or, lacking any original thoughts of their own, simply repeat revised snippets of what you’ve already written. “Classic!” “Yeah, yeah, what you said, yeah!”
Meanwhile, you’ve accomplished what you needed in order to maintain your kingdom: you’ve gotten the independent thinkers to go away, wondering why they wasted their time. This is unfortunate for everyone involved, but the sad consequence for you is that the only conversation you’ll ever have is with people who’ve got nothing to give because they all aspire to be you.
This is just another demonstration of the difference between the internet and the tangible world in which we really live. The kind of magic kingdom that can be created between the www and the dot com cannot be sustained in the real world. In the real world, there is accountability. Sure, you might be able to maintain some small corner in which no one challenges you, but it’s only a corner. If you’re the boss of your own company, you might surround yourself with yes-men, but only at the peril of your livelihood. On the internet, you’ve got nothing to lose but the esteem of people you will most likely never meet. So you invest your online time in people who will provide you with your much-needed affirmation, and breeze past the rest with a dismissive wave. If they can’t get on board your little bandwagon — and it is tiny, relative to the real world, even if you’ve made the Top 100 — who needs them?
The upside, of course, is the boost to your self esteem. You will never have to be wrong again. And try not to worry about that Proverbs 16:18 thing (and I won’t even mention Daniel 4:37). It doesn’t apply to you.
I made a conscious decision some time ago to avoid the comments sections of most of the blogs I read. Reason number one is that James White was so right when he called blog comments “theological ignorance aggregators.” Everyone is an expert, and the more ignorant the participant, the more time and energy he has to invest, and the less likely he is to ever give up. Reason number two is the time they can suck out of your life. Suppose someone actually responds to your comment? You can get drawn into a lengthy discussion that courtesy, at the least, requires you to follow through to the end. That might be a good thing, but you have to actually have that time to spare. Reason number three is that so many bloggers who would say “iron sharpens iron” really mean “my iron trumps your tin.”
But sometimes I forget, and think a dissenting view might be thoughtfully received, even in a place where history has proven otherwise. I’ve recently had reason to reflect on my folly, and the following thoughts come to mind.A few observations:
- Dismissing is not the same as refuting.
- Mockery is not a fruit of the Spirit.
- Smug is not a spiritual gift.
And a warning:
If you build a personality-based following, that is, if your fans — you have fans! — “love” you because you are cool, hip, edgy, controversial, in-your-face, be aware that your comment section will be populated by high-fiveing sycophants who will do little more than congratulate you for your cleverness. You will enjoy their adoration. After all, who wouldn’t? You might — and here is the hazard — start believing you really are as sharp as they think you are. But you’re not, and you never will be. No matter how intelligent, erudite, and astute you are, you will never be the genius your blog-disciples take you for, because their critical thinking skills have been blinded by the shekinah of your personality.
Consequently, you will tend to dismiss challenges to your ex cathedra encyclicals without giving them serious thought. You will find it easy to simply mock your challengers and send them on their way, while your followers heap on the adulation or, lacking any original thoughts of their own, simply repeat revised snippets of what you’ve already written. “Classic!” “Yeah, yeah, what you said, yeah!”
Meanwhile, you’ve accomplished what you needed in order to maintain your kingdom: you’ve gotten the independent thinkers to go away, wondering why they wasted their time. This is unfortunate for everyone involved, but the sad consequence for you is that the only conversation you’ll ever have is with people who’ve got nothing to give because they all aspire to be you.
This is just another demonstration of the difference between the internet and the tangible world in which we really live. The kind of magic kingdom that can be created between the www and the dot com cannot be sustained in the real world. In the real world, there is accountability. Sure, you might be able to maintain some small corner in which no one challenges you, but it’s only a corner. If you’re the boss of your own company, you might surround yourself with yes-men, but only at the peril of your livelihood. On the internet, you’ve got nothing to lose but the esteem of people you will most likely never meet. So you invest your online time in people who will provide you with your much-needed affirmation, and breeze past the rest with a dismissive wave. If they can’t get on board your little bandwagon — and it is tiny, relative to the real world, even if you’ve made the Top 100 — who needs them?
The upside, of course, is the boost to your self esteem. You will never have to be wrong again. And try not to worry about that Proverbs 16:18 thing (and I won’t even mention Daniel 4:37). It doesn’t apply to you.
by David
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13 Comments:
donsands
"Reason number three is that so many bloggers who would say “iron sharpens iron” really mean “my iron trumps your tin.”"
I get like that at times. Only when the love of Christ checkmates my pride am I able to delete my knee jerk response.
I'm still learning. And our Lord is faithful to His children to teach us His ways, if we humble ourselves before Him.
"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you," -Peter
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ... Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. ...Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." -James
Leslie Guillermo
I just wanted to post in the comment section that I enjoy reading blogs but I also hate reading the comment sections. LOL. Seriously though, many of the blog comment areas be it news networks, social blogs, and sadly even church blogs are very cantankerous and sometimes downright hostile environments. I am very glad this was posted, actually, I've always wondered if anyone else felt the same way!
Leslie
Victoria
O your great and worthy immenseness--I am just hanging on every word you write!!
threegirldad
Hello. A couple of questions, if I may:
Is a dismissive response never, under any circumstance, a legitimate...tactic (for lack of a better word)?
Is mockery always a bad thing? What bearing, if any, does Elijah's treatment of the prophets of Baal have on the question?
Just to be clear, I don't disagree at all with the specific statements you made about dismissiveness, mockery, and smugness.
I think that our individual personalities naturally incline some of us to be sympathetic toward, or even relish, "serrated edge," while naturally inclining others of us to be sympathetic toward, or even grant exclusivity to, John Newton's approach. I'm definitely in the second group.
All the same, I'm not quite convinced that "serrated edge" is wholly irredeemable. But I am convinced that far too many people treat it like an entrée, when they should be treating it more like an appetizer.
David
Victoria,
That’s because I’m so cool, hip, and edgy. Beware!
David
Threegirldad,
Yes, it is sometimes appropriate, but it is always disrespectful. Now, what I mean by dismissive is not seeing an argument as lacking merit and explaining why. I mean simply dismissing with a “well, that’s just stupid; shut up and go away” attitude. The former is reasonable, and leaves room for rebuttal. The latter is only appropriate in situations in which outright disrespect is called for. And sometimes it is, but you’d better be careful — ego and laziness think it’s called for far more often than it actually is. No, mockery is not always bad. But like dismissal, it is always disrespectful, so be very sure 1) that it’s deserved, and 2) that you’re qualified to dispense it. And if you’re going to use a comparison like Elijah, you should seriously consider if you are anything like him, if your situation is anything like his, and if your opponent is really the same sort as the prophets of Baal. (That also goes for invoking Paul, Jesus, John the Baptist, or your favorite Whomever.)Your questions are valid. The answers, I would say, call for situational wisdom.
I also want to make clear that I’m not talking about a little sarcasm. As an incorrigible smart-aleck, I take sarcasm too far too often. But there is nothing wrong with a little good-natured poking and prodding. Grown adults ought to be able handle a little give-and-take without getting offended or having to resort to those insipid smiley-things.
threegirldad
Thanks, David. As far as I can tell, we're in complete agreement. As I said, I am by nature far more sympathetic toward John Newton's counsel in that letter I referenced. I do hope people will give it consideration, because I think it would be a much-needed antidote to what you are discussing in this post.
David
Well, that poses a problem. Should I follow the example of John Newton, or some wise-guy blogger? I’ll have to think about that . . .
Kim in ON
At the risk of seeming like a sycophant :), I really did appreciate this comment:
On the internet, you’ve got nothing to lose but the esteem of people you will most likely never meet.
David
I suppose that also means I shouldn’t put too much stock in the esteem of people who don’t really know me.
Thanks anyway . . . [insert insipid smiley-thing here, if needed]
Kim in ON
I just appreciated the comment because it was a reminder that I should avoid taking myself too seriously.
And I don't mind the smiley things too much; I use them just to ensure I don't offend others.
threegirldad
:-) :~) C-: (^:
There. I feel better now.
David
Alright, wipe that smile off your fingers!