You're an idiot

I got a comment the other day that simply said "You're an idiot". After the initial shock wore off (which admittedly wasn't very big nor did it last very long) my thoughts have turned to it on and off a few times over the last few days. What did they mean by this?

The comment was submitted by anonymous on the page about credit consumers beware so I don't have much to go on. Does the fact that they left the comment on that page mean that they had a difference of opinion concerning the coming changes to the credit rules that were set to go into effect shortly after its creation in March of 2010? Did the subsequent 16 months from the time the entry was written until the comment was made make a difference in the intent and meaning of the original article? Was the time of the entry noticed by the commenter? Was the comment even about the article it was left on or was it meant for another article published or just an overall feeling about my blog in general?

The fact that the commenter chose to be anonymous makes me wonder if it was just someone surfing in the night or was it someone that knows me quite well??? The fact remains that He or She (I can't guess from so little information and I know enough not to make any grand jumps in conclusions) thought strongly enough about something I wrote to take the time and energy (which certainly isn't much) to leave me a comment, even one as simple as this.

The comment was spelled correctly and presented properly with the exception of a period at the end of the sentence which any reader of my blog knows that I am certainly not perfect in the area of perfection, so I do not point this out as a point of criticism but as an observation. Anyone that has spent a little time on the net will note that there are many out there willing to leave comments or take part in discussions that have not grasped the better part of the language from spelling to grammar and it shows up pretty quickly, and as I have stated before if the message is strong and valid it will get through those barriers, but judgements are sometimes made based on the care taken.

I have also spent enough time on the web to know that these kind of comments and many more besides are very common and I would be naive to think that I would somehow be bypassed or exempted from them. Quite the contrary, I have been expecting there to be more and much worse, but there is still time.

The trouble is that as a form of criticism this simple phrase does not serve much use. I have nothing to go on. I actually wish I did. Feedback is a very useful tool or at least it can be, and should be. It is very difficult to administer and to accept (especially around job evaluation time). If emotions can be left out of it (hard to do) then change and growth can come from it. In other words it can be a good thing.

The next thing for me to decide is how do I react to this? As all comments come to me to moderate before being added it would be a simple act for me to hit the delete button and move on. Instead of doing that though, as you can see, I decided to write about it and make it the center of an entry. Now that this is done I will probably still delete it but only as it relates to the entry it was submitted on. Anyone who wishes to add these sorts of comments may feel free to do so here on this page, it kind of fits the topic. Too bad whoever left the comment decided to remain anonymous as they aren't able to receive any credit for this but I will gladly attribute this to all who leave such across the entire web.

I had decide long ago when first starting this blog that all comments would be welcome and accepted with the exception of anything vulgar for which I would attempt to censor appropriately if possible and then publish anyway. I have since decided as editor-in-chief that that will still be my policy to the extent that there is a real contribution, that comments offer some validity and are additive in content, they will be included. That does not mean that they all have to agree with me (I am not a talk show host) but they should at least be relevant. I intend to keep the anonymous option available for those that feel more comfortable not leaving trails all over the place in this day and age of security but I will also gladly add your name or identifier to any comments you wish to present.

There are many sites that force you to register with them before they will allow you to leave a comment or rate a video or interact with them in any way. Life is not like that and neither is this site. You may interact here if you like and to any degree you like. I'm not asking anyone to join a mailing list, I'm just asking you to enjoy.

The other thought that ran through my mind is how do I present criticism and could I be doing a better job. I think if I said that the President and Congress are a bunch of idiots that there is enough evidence presented daily for us to have a common ground of reference, but is that enough. Would it be a mere expression of emotion if that was all that was said? Would it be better if it were at least used as a starting point for dialogue and expanded on with specific examples of areas of idiocy and expanded even further with useful suggestions for improvement?

When looking at a movie review do we stop after looking at the number of stars given in the rating or do we look a little further to see if the reviewer has a similar take on things with common taste and interest so that we can relate their scale to our own? There is always a reason for feeling the way we do and trying to express why is sometimes difficult. When I was a child I didn't like peas but I couldn't explain why beyond the fact that "I just don't". Dang it if school teachers didn't expect more from me as I was growing up. And now I expect it of myself and I will be more aware of it thanks to this one commenter.

The last consideration to be taken, and this is one that is actually pleasing in a strange sort of way, is that this blogger has a reader.

Actually I know that there are others out there that read my site and I am grateful and hope you enjoy. I know that there are some who stumble on an entry and sometimes exit just as quickly when they realize it isn't what they were looking for but some will stay a little while and read and perhaps some will even explore. To one and all I say welcome, thank you, and enjoy. I know I have.

This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farr West.