BUT this isn’t my absolute standpoint on it. If a wide majority of people don’t like what somebody’s doing (like the ArtsFest twitter thing) then it probably needs to be stopped. In that instance, a clearly defined rule would’ve been helpful to the offending party. But I’m wary of rules since they tend to breed sticklers. Like something that happened to a friend of mine yesterday: his young daughter was denied a pee in a shop where he was well known, because a Nazi had just taken over and was determined to enforce the rule about “employees only in the back room”.

I’m a new blogger and haven’t come up against any of the unwritten rules yet as far as I know (or maybe it’s just that no one’s reading me blog!), so I might be misunderstanding the kind of rules you’re talking about. Just wanted to chuck in my friendly words of caution just in case you’re not all as reasonable as you sound!

By the way Nicky, I know what you mean about not wanting other writers to sully your baby. My blog’s open to all our group to submit anything they want, and it doesn’t always tally with my idea of what the blog should be. Can I come and write for you instead?!!

For what it’s worth it would be great if ‘unwritten rules’ become written ones – for the world offline too. Flickr’s Community Guidelines – http://www.flickr.com/guidelines.gne – are fantastic (and according to Heather Champ “our gift to the internet” – that anyone is free to use and adapt) in this respect.

Although they boil down to the old Bill’n'Ted-ism – “be excellent to each other”.

The truth is that there aren’t any rules; unlike other media forms established rhetorical devices don’t exist – only those who see online as a territory to occupy would think otherwise. That In my view makes this a time of opportunity for those whose voices rarely make it to any form of media outlet.

I think Dave Harte’s point is the most apt – the incidents made me scared of breaking the rules but I wasn’t sure what those rules were because they’re not really laid out anywhere, you just have to pick them up. So the idea that, if you go against the ‘etiquette’ Bounder refers to, you’ll get criticized when you’re kind of unsure of it anyway makes one very cautious, which may actually be a good thing!

William – I totally see the merits of your model. Whilst my head tells me it’s obviously a great idea my heart says ‘no – mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!’ My gut reaction goes against something that makes perfect sense! Head and heart still fighting like a couple of kids – will let you know the outcome ; )

That that network had evolved so quickly and in quite a few directions (the first meet-up was unfeasibly different to how any are now) without any major spats is testament to the general _niceness_ of everyone. I’ve lost count of the conversations I’ve had with people about how to make sure the group feels to the outsider as open as it is in reality — are we getting better at this or not, I’m not sure.

Any form of communication evolves an etiquette, even one as anarchic and short form as twitter, or as free as blogging. In almost any community as long as you’re polite and honest you generally get nothing but positive encouragement and support. The ‘ganging-up’ that you described makes me feel uncomfortable too — it’s notable that these were instances when the person who made the mistake was someone that it wasn’t easy to communicate with.

On the Digbeth blog front you’re doing a sterling job, and the burden-sharing vs. control issue is one that loads of people struggle with. I’ve not got an answer, except just to keep it as something you enjoy. Have fun — you’re not getting paid after all

It’s a tricky one. I’ve certainly dished out a few opinions and had to fight my corner here and there, but there is a tendency to keep one’s head under the parapet.

I have felt more than a little uncomfortable with what, to me, sometimes feels like a witch hunt in terms of responses to those online faux pas and quite amazed at the level of response. I think Dave too has a point about how exclusive it all potentially becomes/feels.

Another side is that it potentially means the whole ‘local blogging community’ is viewed as a pack.

Anyway my two penneth – btw I’m enjoying DiG

Charlotte

There is an important point here as many a French or English cultural theorist will tell you power always lies with those who control language. Not understanding or having access to the rules of how to use the language is disempowering and may be a key reason for people not to blog.

I labour this point over and over again in various blogs but the greatest barrier to getting more people online isn’t technology, nor is it psychological, but it’s the cultural and class barriers that exist in all forms of media.