So, I had a little incident the other day that was kinda interesting. At least to me. And I learned a few things, which I’d like to share with the public at large. So, hello large public.

1. Expect people to comment on your stuff if you post it in a public place. If you don’t want people to comment on your stuff, use your pen and paper journal and hide it in your closet. You do have a journal, right? That’s what it’s there for, to hold your PRIVATE thoughts safely away from the public. It is your friend, use it.

2. Expect that when people do begin to comment, not all of them are going to agree with you. John Q. Public has a myriad of personal experiences to draw on, and those experiences will shape his opinions and it’s likely you haven’t exactly lived parallel lives. There will be disagreements and this can lead to lively and educational discussion, in which we all gain greater understanding of other people’s points of view.

3. If you are involved in a discussion that becomes heated, stay in the discussion. Don’t take it to another place and post snippy little tidbits that are actually part of the argument somewhere else. If you believe in what you are saying, man up, stay where you are and hold your line.

4. Stay away from the delete button. It’s tempting, I know, but it’s cowardly to delete something you said just because other people disagreed with you and refuted you with rational arguments. It’s also unfair to eliminate another person’s words because you are unwilling to stand behind your own. If you can’t stay away from the delete button, just refer back to #1 and save us all from your personal angst.