The Digital Grapevine

Blogging is hard work ain't it?

Maybe not if you think a blog is your online vent-space, something most people end up doing. What could be better than kicking off your shoes off at the end of the day, settling into that lazy chair, laptop on lap and music in ear, to type your frustrations away? It can be relaxing to write about the boss' bitchy secretary or the nosy clerk sitting next to you. In fact, it is easy.

But that's not how it should be.

I think our words betray not only our intentions, they also convey a kind of power. Case in point: two colleagues of mine had a fight where hurtful words were hurled and friendships frayed. Colleague A takes the liberty of reporting the incident, not so discreetly, in his blog. Colleague B incidentally has her blog linked to his, and ends up reading said post. Needless to say, it didn't end neatly for either party. I don't know how, but the blog incident actually leaked all the way to upper management, deepening the conflict and feeding the drama. Such is the capacity of blogs that demands blogger ethics.

Some people keep blogs as digital diaries. That's fine - I'm all for saving the trees. However, there is a limit to what we should or should not write, can or cannot do, especially since blogs are open to the entire world. Where are our boundaries? Its up to you. Do with it what you will, as you please, but be mindful that it is not a space to sully anyone's name or reputation. Gossip should not be recorded or immortalized for the world to see, it is best kept for water cooler conversation (and despite how juicy it gets, it never did anyone any good anyway).

That said, I am not suggesting that blogging shouldn't be fun. By all means, criticize the government, your parents, your bosses, the movies, the music, Hollywood, Paris Hilton etc etc. Never self-censor, the world needs more honesty and transparency! Just remember that people can actually read what we put out there and take it to heart.