Let’s Have Less Clique, Less Sarcasm, More Conversation

I recieved an e-mail from a recent commenter the other day requesting that I take his comments down. He didn’t like how some of the other commenters responded to his arguments, and he says he wants nothing more to do with us.

I was surprised. I’ve never had anyone ask me to take their comments off my personal blog before. And after thinking about the situation, I’m not prepared to break the conversation by removing parts of it simply because someone was offended.

But he did make an interesting point that I’d like to share with you here. He said that this blog can get a little cliquish, and he’s absolutely right. Many of us know one another from the flesh and blood world of the Claremont Colleges, the military, the world of Web geeks and the social ties between them. I can look at the very sarcastic comments of people I have known — and enjoyed sarcasm from — for years and see their underlying intent in a way that others may not.

This blog has evolved over the years from a relatively obscure journal read only by my close friends to a place where complete strangers have become valued partners in conversation and debate. The transition has been so slow and subtle, that I almost missed it. But now I do need to reevaluate how the conversation is shaped.

Therefore, I would like to ask that all commenters — whether I know you or not — to think before posting a comment that relies heavily on sarcasm or could otherwise be considered mocking in its tone. I know that these are legitimate rhetorical devices, and I don’t object to having them leveled at me. But other commenters — particularly those who do not know you in person — may not be able to read those rhetorical devices the same way that I do as your friend.

I want this blog to be welcoming and open to anyone who decides to come along. That means making it less of a clique and more of a conversation. I have updated the comment policy on this blog to reflect the desire for a respectful tone. I’d love to hear all of your thoughts.