Why this blog?
Welcome to Perspectives and Perceptions. Originally, this used to be the home of A Latter-day Saint Christian Perspective. However, due to a weakness of mine in the arena of stuffing the fire with too many irons, I have decided to consolidate two main blogs into one. Therefore, Perspectives and Perceptions are the marriage of A Latter-day Saint Christian Perspective and This Ordinary Life.
Originally, I had thought of just creating a whole new wordpress blog address, migrate all my articles into that new one, and then delete both blogs. This proved to be too time consuming on my already full schedule. However, as I looked over some of the different themes, played around with how to update and make necessary changes, the idea struck to me, what if I were to just take on and assimilate the other into that one. This got me to thinking on which one do I frequent the most, post to the most and spend most of my time working on? The answer was A Latter-day Saint Christian Perspective. The ease of this has allowed new pages to be created and migrating articles from the other blog.
Therefore, a new purpose for this Perspectives and Perceptions is this: Provide articles that are relevant in our society today. These articles are focusing on Religion, Politics, Writing, Cooking, Family life, and general daily observations, as well as Op-Ed commentaries.
That is my hope for this blog.
Therefore, all comments, suggestions, questions are definitely welcomed. Bear in mind that questions and comments will be responded to and upon sole discretion of the author of this blog, such comments/questions will receive their own attention as a blog article for others to read.
I truely believe in honest and intellectual conversations. Any hate mail will definitely be posted and responded to with compassion, understanding and truth.
Now, for some rules:
I have chosen to adopt those rules from Virginia Shay’s book Netiquette. Very straightforward, proper guidelines that have changed my own way of communicating online in various discussion forums, blog commentary, and even in my own writing.
1) Remember the Human. Simply put, just because we are separated by the screen and mileage does not make each of us less human. In this sense, we ought to be able to treat one another with the same due respect we would give if physically in the presence of one another.
2) Reflect the same standards of behavior here as you would in a real world setting. Meaning, do not act differently here than you would in real life. Because, at the end of the day, it is not what you say here that reflects upon your own individuality and character, but how you say it, and in what manner you are saying it. In essence, treat others respect here as you would in real life. Unless, of course, one is prone to poor, offensive, and improper vulgarities while in the real world as one appears online. In this case, don’t even bother engaging in any form of conversation here.
3) Understand where you are online. This means, if you post a comment, understand that your comment is moderated. This is so that those who fail to understand the core rules of proper netiquette and online communication will be disposed of while those who are honest in their perspectives and endevours will have their comments allowed to exist on this site. Plus, moderation helps cut down unneccessary spam and links that have no relevant bearing on the particular articles, topic of discussion and the like. This also comes to the fact that while we all have our privilege to speak freely, does not mean that one has the right to bring in their own demeaning, condescending, vulgar, and poor venacular to the table. Essentially, this is my blog and respect it just as much as you would expect me to respect your content on your blog and those who post there. Ask yourself, would you allow someone to derail the conversations, speak falsley, make illogical claims, commit logical fallacies (blatant logical fallacies of course) to post on your blog?
4) Respect other people’s time and bandwidth. This means, respect what someone says, whether you agree with them or not, respect them. Just because you feel that they are wrong, does not mean you can post “You are wrong” and that is it. Respect their time and effort. This also means that the articles posted here are researched, written, and posted. This takes time, and is for the sole purpose of generating ongoing discussions on a variety of topics. If you have no interest in the topic, then don’t bother. Also, if others are engaging in a discussion, keep it congenial. We are adults and ought to act like civil members of society. In essence, people who take the time to understand and appreciate one another’s perceptions ought to be respected. And besides, comments are moderated so those that don’t comply with these rules will not participate in any form of discussion.
5) Present yourself in a professional and articulate manner. While the addage says that we are not to “judge a book by its cover” sometimes the cover is all we have to go on. This means, when you respect other persons perspectives and particular opinions, beliefs, and reasonings, you are showing that you can have a decent conversation even though you disagree with them. And how true it is when someone is loudmouth and highly opinionated in their way of thinking. Consider, for a moment, the following scenario. You are out in public talking with a friend of yours. The conversation is on the current Health Care Reform and you both disagree, but have a decent, intellectual conversation. Another person decides to butt into the conversation and tell the both of you that you are dead wrong and begin to showboat themselves. What is your perception of that individual?
6) Provide support for your position and share facts. This goes back to saying, just because you say someone is wrong does not prove that they are wrong. Provide facts. You make an assertion, be prepared to back up that assertion. Understand that without facts, assertions are nothing more than inflated opinions. Opinions are different than facts. Facts are something that provides validity to one’s argument. Every one can argue opinions until the cows fly home. But, when you provide objective facts that can be verified, it brings substance to the table of discussion.
7) Do not flame, Spam, or create verbal assualts. Simply put, disagree respectfully and with dignity. Those who engage in flaming, spamming, or verbal assaults are nothing more than three year olds who throw temper tantrums. Cyberbullying will not be tolerated here. Best way to get ignored is to flame, spam, or create a hostile conversation. This includes derailing comments, attacking the character of the owners of this blog (me right now) and those who post comments to this blog.
8) Respect other peoples privacy. Regarding the LDS Faith, any posting of the Temple Ordinance, Endowment Ceremony will not be tolerated. This is sacred to many Latter-day Saints. And, this topic ought to be avoided all together. Outside of that, no posting any person’s real name, or anything that is considered “private”. I don’t want to know what people do in their private life. Also, ask permission if you want to email them (people are more than welcomed to email me).
9) Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely. This is for myself, those who are guest bloggers, and those who are commenting. Simply put, do not abuse one’s power.
10) Show forgiveness, after all we are human. People make mistakes. In the case of blatant offense, the offender will have an opportunity to proide a sincere apology. If it was an unentional mistake, recognize it for what it is, provide an honest and positive criticism for that, and forgive them for their weakness. Someone offends you, recognize it and be responsible enought to realize that there is typically some deep rooted reason why that happened. This is where honesty and transperancy comes into play.
And, I would like to add, have fun. We all have our unique way of understanding things. Thus, the reason for the title of this blog – Perspectives and Perceptions. These our my own understandings, how I observe the world around me, thoughts on society, interpretations of things, and peculiar ways of thinking.
Please enjoy,
Timothy R. Berman
