Editorial: Keeping Internet Perspective

I posted this here, but I'm copying it here since it's a pretty accurate reflection of the mood I'm in today.  I'm a bit bummed with the blogging experience for a variety of reasons, most of which probably has nothing to do with blogging.  Still, there you go.

Man, this is a bit like the internet West Side Story... 'cepting its the Dakka Street Tuffs vs Stelek's ZombYe Fun Bunch. 

I don't know - I'm feeling a bit let down with blogging today; not because its any different, but because of the mood I'm in.  Since finishing school I've not known what to do with myself.

Heh.  I ALWAYS know what to do with myself - that's not what I was talking about.

So let's recap.

Deadshane trolls here and posts there.  One dude (Bunker) pointed out he posts a similiar comment like clockwork everytime Stelek posts something he disagrees with.

But is that so different then what happens here?  Let's face it, Stelek is always saying he gets numerous emails whenever an article pops up on Bell.  He may or may not respond... but more often he does.

For better or worse, this site is my spot, the place I feel the most comfortable posting.  I don't like forums, plus I like the aggressive exchange of ideas.... that's probably how it happened.  Regardless, I tend to give more weight to the regulars here than others, because I know them.

Plus, Stelek's rants seem like editorializing to me, not angry hate-speech.  But doesn't that depend on the perspective?

I'm sure JWolf would say so.  That's a really decent dude who's been pilloried by our community.  I say 'our' because I'm a regular here - and that's probably how I'm known.  So how much does it matter that I've defended him, or didn't agree with the consensus?

Maybe not so much.  I don't know.

Look, I'm not trying to be negative or attack anyone; I like it here.  There's a sizable number of you who are my favorite bloggers.  I just think it's useful to play devil's advocate sometimes, just like it's equally useful to remember they are us. 

Perspective's a bitch.

I like Chumby's line: Dakka drama is so last year.  It's a clever turn on a phrase made on the Dakka thread: Stelek drama is so last year.

I'm ready for drama to be so last year.

I've said this before, but there's a reason I use my real name when I post online.  I never want anonymity to be an excuse for bad behavior.  That's not a slight on the overwhelming majority of you who like handles, but rather a tool I use for the governance of my own behavior.  It keeps me honest.