Censoring the Discussion on Smaller Indiana

[Mike Seidle]

Recently, I noticed something I rarely see when I posted a follow up to a blog post on Smaller Indiana. It said something to the effect that:

"Your comment will appear after the moderator approves it"

Hmm, interesting. So now someone is moderating. Fine, I'll wait. Flash forward two weeks. I'm still waiting for that comment to appear. I don't think it will because I gasp disagreed with the blog post. I am 100% sure I wasn't offensive, made no threats and didn't even use off color language.

My question is why would you want to stymie conversation on Smaller Indiana? Secondly, is there a way to disable the moderation option for non-admins so I don't wast my time following up where someone is just going to throw my thought in the trash?

It's really annoying to invest time only to find that someone has already gagged you.

[Deanna Sipe]

Hazel you crack me up!! :) lol.

[Deanna Sipe]

At first I did not have the moderation checked. Then I received a comment that was so long, and so far off the topic, and in my opinion(since I started the post in first place I was thinking I am entitled to my opinion:) to the negative that I chose to delete my entire post. Rather than start down a long slippery slope of a religious discussion that I had no desire to instigate I would forgo what I had to say as well as that of the poster. I am not monitoring in an effort to censor differing opinions but I believe in the value of leaving a discussion as opposed to starting an argument that goes on for pages and pages. I wanted to focus on the positive and not highlight the negative. However, what we know is the negative sells, it's the debate and the argument of it that so many love to dive into. Right? Isn't that what we are doing now? :)

[Kirk Booher]

Good discussion. I am in total agreement here with Mike, David, Eric and others. I have been frustrated when I have taken time to post and it gets squashed because the blogger didnt agree or care for my comments.

[Cissi Sherlock]

Thanks for the thumbs up, Deck!!!

I try to be fair in business and in life. That's why I started an organizations called Operations "OpenUP!" to open the lines of communications.

I often tell people that I would look pretty stupid if I did not follow my own concept of communications. Yet, I can agree, sometimes people say things that sting. Essentially, they POST and BOAST. That is not always the ticket.

[Erik Deckers]

I'm not a big fan of comment moderation, with one exception. If a person is rude or makes a personal attack, I'll delete something from my personal blog. And with the exception of one person on SI, I've never seen anyone be horribly rude or make personal attacks to anyone else. And I've yet to see it happen on my non-SI blog as well.

I have seen the comment moderators that Mike is talking about (Cissy Sherlock is not one of them). They don't allow differing opinions on their blog, but will continually post their side of an argument and make it seem like no one else disagrees with them. That's just bad PR.

[Douglas Karr]

@Michael I definitely took your post wrong, Mike. I thought it was genuinely questioning whether or not Smaller Indiana was censoring people. I'm a huge advocate of free speech - especially on social networks so it gets me all in a tizzy. Since that's not what you meant, I apologize!

Perhaps a post title like, "Don't use Comment Moderation on Smaller Indiana" could have swayed my opinion.

Thanks for the clarification!
Doug

[Mike Seidle]

@David - I've had a few where I think it's just lack of time. I've had a few where the other person is a professional and is simply silencing people who disagree. I don't mind either, if I know it's possible I'll be moderated before spend time commenting.

[David Mark]

@Mike I'm curious. Do you believe this was blatant disrespect and why? I'm asking because I witness lazy blogging often. Some bloggers, or discussion board authors post and then (cricket, cricket, cricket) nothing. Perhaps they fell asleep at the wheel and simply didn't take the time to respond to your request. This, on the other hand, is bad blogging etiquette too.

@ Hazel I understand where you're coming from. However, this is not about overreacting. This is about about objectiveness, fairness, sharing, openess, growth and, yes, entertainment and so on. If one's choice is to manage a blogging dictatorship and a narrow, short-sided discussion, then keep your conversations private. Smaller indiana an outstanding platform for all to share. The key word is share.

I understand if one chooses not to receive email notifications as a reminder, but if you author a discussion and/or a blog (especially w/ a monitoring option for crying out loud!) , you have a responsibilty to moderate said blog/discussion more closely and professionally. Also, out of courteousness, you should explain why you've denied a post. This, afterall , could create an entertaining and meaningful experience for others to enjoy. Most of all, one-sided discussions are BORING and pointless! My humble opinion: Keep your ALL are welcome mat out, or simply don't post.

People are counting on you.

[Mike Seidle]

@doug - Wow. I think you have this precisely wrong. First, I'm not mad at Pat or Smaller Indiana (my intent is not to attack Smaller Indiana). Second, Smaller Indiana is highly influential locally, but it is no way the main source of my audience. I'm grateful to everyone who created this site, and I do appreciate how much work it is. Third, I'm not going to create outrage by calling individual members of Smaller Indiana out for censoring posts. I bet most of the people doing it don't even know that they are doing it. A small number of people know exactly what they are doing.

Here's the problem:There is absolutely no warning that a blog post may be moderated until after you submit a post. Result: wasted time and feeling like the guy in the picture. Let's at least warn one another if you turn moderation on and make sure everyone understands the criteria for moderation.

In other words, put down the "kick the philanthropist" defense and take a look at what is being said. At present moderation of blog posts is a problem because there is no warning that a given post is moderated. It denies Smaller Indiana members the choice to follow up knowing their comment will be subject to the post's author's will. If this can't be fixed because of a limitation of Ning, let's just say so. If it's a setting, that can be adjusted community wide, then let's discuss it.

[Hazel "The Queen" Walker]

I never censor my post because I have be given the gift of always rightness, so I am ok with people expressing their opinion.

Mike, it was good to see you and attend the event, it was fun. And a beautiful day too.