An Apology For Bloggers
The invention of the printing press in the 1440s by German inventor Johannes Gutenberg ushered in a new age of knowledge sharing. The large-scale sharing of an individual’s ideas and opinions through printed word was now possible. But this breakthrough in technology brought with it a new set of problems – precisely the large-scale sharing of individual ideas and opinions.
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin brought his skills as a “modern day printer” to the “New World”. In 1729 he purchased the fledgling Pennsylvania Gazette and began the work of transforming this rag-tag operation into a to a respectable weekly newspaper. It would not be long before Franklin and his printing enterprise were routinely criticized for what they printed. Some would criticize the newspapers topics or the author’s opinion while others took issue with the businesses that were advertising in the paper. It seemed as though while some people enjoyed reading what he published, others were offended. This criticism continued to grow and became a real “thorn” in Franklin’s side. Finely, in 1731, Franklin felt compelled to publish “An Apology For Printers” in his gazette as a “standing Apology for my self”.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Our society is experiencing a new “information revolution”. Just as the printing press transformed how thoughts, ideas, and opinions could be shared on a large-scale, the advent of the Internet, blogs, and social networks is taking the ability to a whole new level. I think Franklin would be impressed and he would approve. However, based on personal experience, it seems that bloggers and contributors in this new medium are experiencing the same frustration as Franklin and his contemporaries. Perhaps it’s time to re-visit Franklin’s annual apology and bring it up-to-date. So, with a respectful nod to Benjamin Franklin, I think I’ll draw on his wisdom and model my standing apology after his.
An Apology for Bloggers
Having experienced the ire of those who say I should not have expressed my thoughts, ideas, or opinions on my Facebook Wall or personal BLOG, I think it both necessary and appropriate to save myself and my readers some emotional bandwidth by posting a standing apology. Such an apology deserves careful consideration and I hope I don’t overlook something.
I simply ask that all who are angry with me, because what I have posted or the manner in which I posted it, calmly consider the following:
- I think Benjamin Franklin put it best, so why mess with the wisdom of a Founding Father. He said, “The Opinions of Men are almost as various as their Faces; an Observation general enough to become a common Proverb, So many Men so many Minds.”
- The business of blogging primarily has to do with the sharing of a writer’s personal point of view. Some blogs are fairly innocuous as they are devoted to some personal hobby such as mountain biking, camping, or cooking. Others take on the tough topics of the day such as politics, ethics, or religion. In all cases, the blogs are devoted to the sharing of the contributor’s opinion. Some opinions server to promote or support an idea, concept, or opinion while others serve to oppose the same.
- Some people are content to “tweet” information like “I’m sitting on the porch enjoying the sunset” or “Hey, I really enjoyed this new movie” – and that is perfectly fine. Some blog about their hobby or their business – that is also fine. Others promote religious worldviews or, like me, post their thoughts on current political events – this too should be fine. However, I think you would agree that tweeting “I’m sitting the porch” is information that is not relevant to someone’s worldview and therefore is not likely to offend anyone. However, it is more likely that sharing thoughts, ideas, and opinions on matters of religion, ethics, or politics are at high risk of offending anyone who holds an opposing point of view. The blogger that chooses to take on the tough issues of the day will inevitably step on someone’s toes.
- Just as it is unreasonable to expect that everyone in a given group of people would share the bloggers opinion, it is also unreasonable to expect that because some are offended by a bloggers opinion that everyone is offended and therefore the blogger should keep their opinion to themselves.
- Bloggers believe strongly that when people have differing opinions, all sides have an equal right to be heard. Today’s technology, more than any time in human history, facilitates the sharing of views, ideas, and knowledge on a large-scale. We also believe that truth prevails over error and that given equal opportunity, truth will always prevail.
- Sometimes, people will comment on the ideas and opinions a blogger shares. While a blogger can take steps to moderate their forums, we do not censor ideas or writing styles. We will step in if someone becomes overly abusive – but for the most part, we allow point number 5 above to run its course.
- It is unreasonable to assert, as some do, that we should not post our thoughts and opinions if they might offend someone. Holding to that standard would only serve to stifle thought, dialogue, and the expansion of individual horizons. With respect to the advancement of the human condition, the free exchange of thought is the cornerstone of freedom and liberty. If world history teaches us anything it is the unfortunate truth; that tyranny is the nature of all governments and stifling of the free exchange of thought is the enabler of tyranny.
- If everyone agreed not to post anything until they were sure that no one would be offended… well to be sure we would be flooded with transformational thoughts such as, “I’m going to bed now… good night all” or “guess what Sally said about Jenifer at school today”.
- Sometimes, the things I post will be challenging to you and your point of view. Sometimes, in a fit of personal rage or anger on a topic, I will write things that are downright stupid and audacious. But because I sometimes post things that are difficult, challenging, or stupid does not represent the sum-total of who I am or how/what I think. Likewise, what I post is not a reflection of my wife, children, extended family, friends, church, social network, or employer. Believe it or not, there may be a nugget of wisdom in what I write. If you choose to read what I write, I think it is reasonable to ask that you give it some thought and consider my perspective. If you want to comment with affirmation or opposition, you are welcome to. I in turn, promise to give you the same consideration.
- While I don’t agree that ideas should be “aborted at birth” – so to speak – I will not post to my blog, nor allow to be posted, anything that is immoral according to societal norms. However, given the nature of an ever-changing standard, I will be the sole arbiter of morality on my blog – after all, I pay for it, so I claim both the right and responsibility. I hold a Christian worldview and that worldview will be the lens through which I will judge issues of morality. Some may find that standard offensive – too bad, you can post somewhere else. Likewise, there are those who will say, “Christians should think this way… “ or “Christians should not think that way …”. Be forewarned, if you are going to make that claim on my blog postings you should be able to back that up biblically and be prepared to be challenged. I know that this perspective will not be acceptable to all so, please accept my apology in advance.
To help you better understand why I think it is important to take on the tough issues of the day, I’d like to share with you a short poem I wrote:
The child of a former slave looks at her father’s back
Quietly she wonders, “Why didn’t someone say something?”
Because, it’s a matter of property rights, echoed the reply
The old woman looks at the number tattooed on her arm
Quietly she wonders, “Why didn’t someone say something?”
Because, it’s a matter of a nation’s internal politics, echoed the reply
The parent hears the doctor say, your insurance does not cover this treatment.
Quietly he wonders, “Why didn’t someone say something?”
Because, for the good of the many we have to ration care, echoed the reply
The former business owner stands in a soup line holding his children close
Quietly she wonders, “Why didn’t someone say something?”
Because, we thought the government should provide, echoed the reply
The government tells the student what to think, when to think, how to think
Quietly he wonders, “Why didn’t someone say something?”
Because, to control society we have to control your mind, echoed the reply
Today, at this moment, open your eyes and look around, see what is happening
Quietly resolve to say something!
But I’m afraid of what others might think about me, echoed the reply.
Benjamin Franklin closed his standing apology with a fable. I took the liberty of re-writing it in modern English:
A well intentioned old man and his son were traveling to the market with an ass they needed to sell. The weather was bad and the road was muddy so the old, frail man rode the ass while his young, healthy son walked along side. Soon, they came across a stranger who relentlessly chided the father for forcing his son to walk in the mud instead of having him ride the ass along with him. To quiet the criticism, the father invited his son to ride behind him.
They traveled a little further and encountered another stranger who began to complain vehemently that the ass was suffering under the weight of both the father and son as it made it way along the muddy road. To quiet the criticism, the father got off the ass and walked along side as they continued on their way.
Then, they came across another stranger who scolded the son for riding the ass while his aged father walked through the mud and muck. The stranger went so far as to call the father a fool for letting his son take advantage of him in such a way. So, to quiet the criticism, the father asked his son to come down and walk along with him as they led the ass to market.
A short time later they encountered yet another stranger. This time, the stranger ridiculed the man and his son for walking when they had a perfectly good ass to ride. Not able to bear it any further, the father turned and said to his son, “I cannot stand all this criticism. It seems we cannot please everyone, so help find a bridge so we can throw this ass over the side and into the river below.
If someone had seen this father actually carry out his decision – born out of frustration – undoubtly they would have called him a fool for being overly concerned with the opinions of others. Like the old man in this fable, at times I get so frustrated by those who try to tell me what I should write, or how I should write, or that I should not write at all, that I feel like saying to heck with it all. But, when all is said and done, I want you to know that I intend to continue to participate in exchange of ideas and in the process of the furtherance of our society while being fully aware that I will not be able to please all the people all the time.
In closing, please accept my apology if in any way I have offended you by what I write or how I write. But, please know this, I will not “throw this ass off a bridge” anytime soon – metaphorically speaking of course.