I have thought about shutting off comments altogether, at least on some posts, b/c I used to do a zine, and I felt more free to express myself knowing that I wouldn’t have people poo-pooing me publicly within moments of expressing a unpopular view. If people had something to say, they could write me directly, and I’d publish the best comments in the next issue in the letters section. I felt more confident putting my ideas “out there,” b/c people could take the zine for what it was, without immediately reading my critics, i.e. my ideas could stand on their own, without people seeing some comment and going, “Oh, well, that commenter does have a point … Kim really is crazy/full of shit/blah.” I admit, I still prefer the magazine format to blogs, but blogs are easier. :)

Yes, I often think about “oh, what are people going to say if I say X” and often carefully edit what I’m saying, though perhaps that shows I’m putting thought into it, and I would do that anyway with the zine. I get nervous when I post something controversial, afraid that I’m going to log in and have to get into arguments with people. I’m guilty myself of shooting from the hip in the comments section, and I’ve reacted too quickly sometimes to people’s posts. On the other hand, though, I feel that turning off comments altogether would somehow make me a pussy, afraid to debate ideas, or stand up for my own ideas if someone disagrees.

I love this summation though, “In my house, some things are acceptable and others are not.” I DEFINITELY moderate my comments, and won’t stop! Yes, in my house, people don’t have to agree with me on music/politics/etc, but, no one’s going to call me a fucking idiot to my face in my house, if they ever want to come back. I’ve stopped talking to a girl I know IRL b/c she posted image comments on my MySpace pictures of my wedding, calling me a “sellout” etc.

Interesting that the post has drawn very few comments, though.