Endoh’s Dungeon

Now that I have finally discussed the problems this blog is facing with friends, both offline and online, 6 out of 7 agreed that it’s time for me to set some ground rules for my blog. I have always tried to stir off any official rules for readers in my blog, because rules are usually boring. They had the opportunities to read through some of the comments left in my blog (in recent times) for themselves, and they felt I don’t really have much a choice other than to put my foot firm down.

I have been considering my options too, otherwise I wouldn’t ask for opinions from trusted friends. Although rude comments are not an everyday thing, it looked like it is rising slightly. This is a long post, so if you don’t read it and put up something against “my rules”, too bad for you.

Those who read my blog regularly know I occasionally write on controversial issues. My topics are NOT only limited to Singapore, because the world is huge. That’s to say, there are hundreds and thousands of things that might arouse my interest. To some, my topics are dry and boring. You are free to guess where my stand on certain issues is, but “guesses” are just what they are in context. Guesses - uninformed speculations or assumptions.

I have never had to worry about rumors or gossips, therefore you don’t usually read those in my blog. It’s unlikely you will read them in future because I don’t really give a hoot about the parties involved in these activities, just like how they wouldn’t give a hoot about me. That’s to say, I have got much better things to spend my time on than get myself involved with gossip-mongers. How do such activities improve my life? Certainly, they don’t.

However, when things end up directly in my blog or comments, then that’s a different circumstance. That is when my response is required, and many readers should be able to tell that I alienated myself from some online communities to remain independent and unbiased.

There are times during my blogging journey that some would ask me stuffs like; what business is it of mine? I’m sorry, but it’s a very ridiculous question to ask me in the blogging environment. I am extremely confident to say a huge amount of bloggers write whatever that interest them, even if it doesn’t concern them in any manner. In another words, anything in this world can become a talking point. I feel it’s imperative that I highlight certain aspects of this issue, by rounding up with my personal standard that as long as you have a reasonable amount of verification on the accuracy of what you are posting up, there is pretty much nothing to stop you. The key feature here is - accuracy - without misleading readers or misrepresenting others.

So before the next person ask the same question again, I will answer it here.

• All blogs are available on World Wide Web. Hence, anybody and everybody can read what is being posted.
  
• Most blog entries are open to the public eyes. Hence, anybody and everybody can respond. As long as the responses are made in good faith, there’s nothing wrong with it.
• If you do not wish for your private gossip among your “friends” to end up as a talking point, lock your post or don’t blog about it at all. I am sure you understand what is World Wide Web. It hurts your reputation and also that of the organization you work for. Even worse, if your employer is web-based.

The quality of readers and comments can be rather vague. It’s seriously something that depends on our personal preferences so I will take a shot at that too. Hopefully, that will shed some light on what kind of blogger I am.

I do not write for money, neither do I write for fame. Therefore, I don’t see a necessity in pulling a huge group of followers behind me. I definitely come from a different angle, from those who are obsessed with popularity. It’s just my way of putting things in perspectives, so friends can read it anytime they like. I do not have the habit of deleting my posts, because I try my best to think before I write anything. What’s the point of writing, cause damage and delete the post thereafter? The damage has been done, so deleting the post doesn’t do anything realistically. Of course, you may choose to do it differently.

If you happen to be one of those who hates my blog or disagree with my viewpoints, there are a few things that I feel you should consider before you respond.

• Keep your comments relevant, be it in agreement or opposition. That’s to say, if your comment is not giving any new perspectives or realistic ideas, save it for yourself.
• I have not deleted any comments so far, except for outright spams. I hope I don’t have to go to such extent.
• You are free to respond, either by leaving a comment or putting up a post in your own blog. If you link my post, I will see it from my control panel. If you don’t, drop me a note to let me know. If you do nothing of the above, obviously I wouldn’t know.

As for those who hates my blog to the core, there are two ways we can look at it. It’s pretty much your choice which option you prefer. I don’t like to make decisions for others, so giving you the option to choose is a good idea.

• Option 1: I am sorry if my post is not in accordance to your taste. While I will keep at it to write about things that interest ME, there is a cross on the top right hand corner of your browser that I think you would like to visit.
  
• Option 2: GET OUT!

Over these times, there are also readers who jump to conclusion about who I am and where I stand based on one single post that aroused their interest. It’s a classic mistake to make for netizens because I typically browse through the archives of any bloggers that I read, to gain better insight of the blogger. I will not uphold you to the same standards I set for myself, it’s really your choice and not something for me to enforce.

If you think you know me… no, you do NOT know me. So don’t pretend or assume to know me.

This led me to another important thing that I feel you should know too, if you wish to engage me on a personal level. While it is pretty much the freedom of everyone to leave their comments (within my acceptable boundaries), I have also received emails or MSN messages that apologize to me for the comments and go on to paint an entirely different story. That explains why I removed my MSN email from an online community to prevent people from adding me anymore.

• If you choose to leave a comment in my blog, I give you the benefit of doubt that you can stand by your words and you, would say the same thing online or offline.
• Do NOT leave a comment in my blog, but add me in MSN to tell me a directly opposing stand from what you have indicated in my blog. By doing that, you are just showing me how untrustworthy and lacking in integrity you are.
• I am NOT interested to know if you’re making use of anybody, or if anybody is also making use of you. That’s the game you chose to play, not me. In general, it’s a bad idea to use my blog entries to put up a “show” for the other party to see.

I am still considering if I should “expose” these people. Experiences tell us that such people would usually take it personally, and not objectively. I have refrained from doing so, because embarrassment is not my motive. Thanks to my dear friend Linda who reminded me again and again, there’s a limit to being the “nice guy” as much as I try to be. There will be those who will take it for granted.

I am also considering how I can deal with anonymous readers in my blog though. When I say anonymous, I meant those that do not even use a real email to submit a comment. I am actually pretty ok with readers who doesn’t wish to show their faces or blogs, I respect that totally. However, for the email that is not visible to anybody else but me, stuffs like hot123@coldmail.com obviously are fakes. I have not figured out how best I can deal with them. Should I just plain ignore? Or should I respond as usual?

I have absolutely nothing against anonymous bloggers because showing a picture of the face does not tell us the integrity or agenda of a person very much. Isn’t it?

Meanwhile, I will keep it as this. If I happen to think of something new, I will update this post as and when necessary.

The only one thing I regret not pulling over from my old blog is…

It is my duty to inform you, I am a typical SCORPIO.
Be very afraid and watch where you are treading.