A Response That Risks Something: People In The Computer Are Real People

I consider it a great privilege to spend so much of my time writing, and so while I don’t want to complain overly much about this negative aspect of writing, but anyone who has ever written or posted anything online knows the venom that comes (especially) from anonymous or semi-anonymous commenters.

{The most outrageous one, probably, was one that attacked me for being a wealthy (ha!) hypocritical elitist by posting property values where I live relative to NY State averages; but I’m getting a fair amount of venom–in addition to some very lovely, gracious comments–on my most recent post at CT on Marilynne Robinson.}

Comments can be useful. They can offer encouragement, fresh perspectives, probing questions. They can be a tool for thoughtful discourse.

But perhaps it is because it is so easy to make comments–especially when you have only to enter your nom de plume and a fake email address–that they are often less than worthless.

And I am sad to say that there is very little difference between the kind and degree of hatred in Christian comments than comments anywhere else.

(Jesus said: “by this they will know you are my disciples: because you love one another.”)

I will admit that there are times I am sore tempted to comment, especially on posts espousing supposedly “Christian” values that I find reprehensible. There is a place for good criticism.

But in such places it is too easy to comment without thought and without risk; to do so too quickly. Letters to the editor, at least, used to require people to find an envelope and a stamp and go to the mailbox. The careless word (and I have let many of them fly, to my shame) is quickly disseminated online.

At the very least, I suggest this: that more large sites follow the lead of sites like Sojourners’ God’s Politics Blog and require commenters to comment using Facebook. But it is worth considering what you and I can do:

1. Always use your real name and real email address to comment

2. Link to your blog (or to your public Facebook URL) if possible & appropriate

3. Consider James 1:19–Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

and Proverbs 17:28–Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise.

4. Remember that the people ‘in the computer’ are real people. Use a clear headshot when possible to show your actual face…

Maybe #4 is obvious. But for some reason, the disembodied nature of online interaction can mean that we say things we would never, never say on the phone or in person, or even, I daresay, in a video chat/Skype/GoogleHangout. One of the best parts of going to the Festival of Faith and Writing was meeting my “computer friends” in person, and finding that those friendships and connections are real, real, real.

Computer friends–and foes–are real people.

Many things do demand a response: I felt compelled to expose the dangerous teaching of Michael and Debi Pearl. I have written my share of negative book reviews and even commented on blogs and articles that I thought espoused dangerous ideas.

But if there are compelling reasons to speak, there are also compelling reasons to remain silent, or, at the least, to respond slowly.

{When it is fitting, I occasionally enjoy responding with humor.}

How do you manage comment venom (yours and others’) online?