A comment on comments and the value of words
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes feel that with the explosion of the whole interwebs thingy and new social medias, words have proliferated to such an extent that I fear the very value of verbiage is being re-written (<– pun). If words were once a dime a dozen, they’re now a gratuitous trillion.
Still, I keep coming back to my belief that words are just as powerful as they’ve always been, perhaps even more so now that a voice can be heard from anywhere, to anywhere. Indeed, the power of words persists as it always has.
In light of this, and with an eye to some of the crazy shenanigans going down in the comment-sphere of Columbia in recent weeks, it is no wonder there’s been frequent discussion lately on the words we issue forth in cyberspace.
It’s a complex issue, and I’m still trying to figure out my own position—still, there are some core principles which I’ve settled on for the time being, and I’d appreciate your feedback.
In essence, I find that at least three primary values should be considered for guiding our online interactions: integrity, humility, and precision.
By integrity I mean we should consistently endeavor to write online only what we would also write on paper and sign our name for all to see, and/or speak out loud to the ears of another. Regarding humility, well that’s rather obvious and has been examined recently by a fellow Columbian, and much more eloquently than I could. Finally, in precision I suggest that we use our brilliant minds and rich intellectual arsenals to voice our thoughts with more exactness and less sensationalism.
None of these values negates criticism and disagreement, and neither does criticism have to negate these values.
We are some brilliant minds here in Morningside Heights. But much more importantly, we are peers and friends, and we are blessed with free speech and exchange. The people on earth who can claim ownership of a bold statement without fear of significant retribution or even mortal harm is a minority, and we are almost all of us a part of that fortunate minority.
This freedom endows us the ability to speak anonymously, but it also requires of us the responsibility of ownership. Anonymous posts are a great way to encourage free exchange, and we should always protect that option. But an anonymous post that is a cruel post is also a cowardly post. Be brave, say who you are.
Probably none of this is new to you, but don’t good things bear repeating?
When I sit in class, and especially in seminars, I am consistently amazed by the vibrancy of my peers. I’m challenged by the ideas and the words and the questions entrusted to me by my fellow students and my professors.
We must continue to promote this intellectual culture in which the same values of intellectual honesty, respect, and thoughtful engagement are applied to all of our campus interactions, not only in the classroom but also in the dorm room, online and on College Walk, between friends and between strangers.
Whether it is on Facebook or a campus publication comment section, words are powerful yet, and your words are especially. Wield your words, and wield them wisely.
Caroline Blosser is a Senior opinion blogger. If she could be any animal, she’d like to be a duck, since they can fly and are more or less waterproof.
You are a Senior opinion blogger and you begin your blog with “interwebs thingy.” This direct insult to the English language is not tolerated in the Specsucks community that holds English and other languages to a higher standard. Not only do you need to retake University Writing along with English for international students, but5 also you inherently contradict yourself. If you believe that there should be anonymous postings, then don’t assert that anonymous postings are cowardly. We at the Specsucks community respect the power of opinion and urge anyone who shares our hatred of the spec to provide anonymous tips to thecloakedmask@gmail.com. specsucks.wordpress.com
this was trite. also, late to the party, much?
it was a bit cheesy, so what? also caroline was probably one of the first people to speak out against the online comment hate (even before the obama thing). so, no. she’s been at the party for months now. SUCK IT HATERS.
People have been “speaking out” about mean internet comments since before the world wide web. Caroline was just the first to assume that no one in Columbia had ever even considered the possibility that people should not be jerks on the internet. So yes, thank you Caroline, for continuing to condescend to the entire student body. Please, lecture us more on things we already know. Is racism wrong? Should we treat others as we want to be treated?
a haiku for you:
haters gonna hate
yes, this article is great,
sorry kids here suck.
The above haiku
Is sub par, to say the least.
Refrigerator.
You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear. She placed the shell to her ear and seeacmrd. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
you guys realize some of these comments only confirm everything caroline says in this post . . .
Caroline makes a trite, moralistic post attacking mean commenters. People point out that her post is trite and moralistic, and then she uses this as ammunition for her next post. Pretty simple. Not a bad strategy either if you just want an excuse to complain.
“are you kidding me? wrote: “People have been “speaking out” about mean internet comments since before the world wide web.”
how could people speak out about internet comments since before the internet . . . .
also the part where Caroline states we already all know this (which apparently you actually don’t) . . . .
Have you ever considered about iniludcng a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. Nevertheless think about if you added some great pictures or video clips to give your posts more, pop ! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this website could definitely be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Great blog!
Educate yourself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Web
Hello there I like your blog site. Do you want to invitee sumbit in mine someday? If so you should inform me via e mail or just answer this opinion since We enrolled in notifications and definately will know should you choose.
Caroline, this has just gotten sad and it’s time someone intervened (clearly your editors are unwilling to).
Yes, mean internet comments are annoying. People should not be mean ever, and when they are mean, they should at least have enough courage in their convictions to say their name .You are also probably the last person on the planet to come to this realization. You do not need to lecture everyone, once again, about internet etiquette. Everyone who cares already knows, and everyone who doesn’t care isn’t going to be convinced by another post on this topic. Lecturing us on the burden freedom as it relates to spectrum comments just makes you seem condescending, overly sensitive and out of touch, all at the same time.
you’re lecturing her for “lecturing.” There is too much irony in these comments. Its getting meta.
If not, it’s a pretty good gig. I should write more papers about how only jerks give Bs. YOU’RE JUST PROVING MY POINT PROFESSOR
Accusing someone speaking out against offensive comments of being “overly sensitive” is generally considered to be bad form. Words carry power and they have consequences, even if they’re unintended.
Thkining like that is really amazing
Now it is good timing to prucode a few plans for the future and it’s the moment to be happy. I have read this submit and if I may I wish to recommend you few attention-grabbing issues or tips. Perhaps you can publish next articles regarding this post. I want to learn more things of it!
Why are we all attacking each other in the comment section of a post about people needlessly attacking each other?
stay strong caroline!
tl;dr
Everyone in this comment section should go fuck themselves.
insulted that you would use the “big ass blue whale” as your motto for your campaign.
By using this animal to encapsulate your movement, you are using a PHALLIC SYMBOL of the highest order, caving to the male-dominated frat culture at columbia. As a fellow barnard student I thought you would know better.
You are also caving to the HETERONORMATIVE system at columbia, which marginalizes queer students.
I suggest you use a clam or an oyster for your campaign to help celebrate female LIBERATION from the shackles of male dominance.
Just a minor point, but BIG ASS BLUE OYSTER has a better ring to it as well
#justice