Note: To post comments on my blog, click on the heading (headline) of each post and it will take you to the message prompt. Soon, a comment button will be added at the bottom of each post. Thanks.
I am always thinking about the blog, and how to make it better and more relevant. Today, a big step: moderated comments.
Today, for the first time since I started the blog in 2007, I am permitted comments on the blog, hopefully starting with this post. The comments will be moderated, I intend to create a safe space, a community of thoughtful people who wish to talk with me and one another without fear of being attacked.
There will continue to be comments on Facebook, as usual, but this is a big step for me, I avoided comments because I didn’t want my head filled with argument and other people’s thoughts. I have come far enough not to worry about that, and I also see that the blog has become a kind of community all of its own.
Moderated comments mean all comments have to be approved by me, and while that is more work for me, I can do it quickly and efficiently. Hostile comments will simply not be posted, unless there is something relevant and informative about them. People are welcome to disagree with me or challenge me, just not in a hostile way.
In a sense blogs were created to offer refuge to people on the Internet, moderated comments meant contents. A blog is a discussion or informational website published on the Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries, they are moderated, the most recent post appears first.
There are more than 30 million blogs on the Internet, blogs have given rebirth to Jefferson’s idea of a flowering of individual voices to protect democracy and freedom of speech. Some of the best writing on the world is now on blogs. The ability to comment has become important to people, it is the essence of interactivity, which I strongly believe in.
My idea about the Internet is that it is my home online, and I don’t permit people to be ruder there than if they were sitting in my living room. In a sense, they are.
Social media comments are important, but I find that many people don’t read the posts, just the headlines, and it is just too easy for people to be obnoxious or hostile. I can handle that, but it troubles many people. I’ve gotten messages for years from faithful blog readers who just aren’t comfortable on social media.
Thoughtless people have damaged freedom of speech on the Internet, hopefully we can create a safe and meaningful space. It takes some time to do that, I am committed to it. These days, more than ever, we need to be civil to one another. Thanks for following the blog and helping it to grow.
And for joining me on this remarkable journey.
For me, this is yet another step in community building, the Army of Good has convinced me that this is a community I wish to nourish and support, as you all have nourished and supported me, and now, so many others. I won’t know for sure that the comment system is working until I post this blog, but feel free to post, I imagine it will take awhile before people figure it out, or have something to say.
There is only one rule for this new community space: no hostility of any kind.
Note: To post a comment, click on the heading of each post. A comment button will be added shortly.
Welcome to the bedlamfarm.com comments forum. Something new and exciting.
I belong to a few moderated groups and I find them to be refreshing. In these groups I find disagreements are respectfully done and if someone cannot follow the rules they are banned. Passion is a good thing, I think it offers another prospective on a topic but done disrespectfully negates any good that might have come with it. Love the blog John! Blessings on the new endevour!
Thank you for your blog. Communication is changing and in some ways it is not for the better. To be able to read quality expressions of a life and your observations on humanity and the world is, as they say, a good read.
I love seeing your new posse. Lucky people-lucky dogs 🙂
I love your blog. I’ve been following for a long time. Keep up the good work.
Congrats on this important step!
Thanks much..
Hello Jon,
Thank you for adding the comments section on your blog. I quit Social Media several weeks ago for many of the same reasons most people do. Just Google “I Quit Facebook” and it’s not a big surprise why.
You have written alot about the negativity online and have done a good job keeping it off your page.
Still. For me. It feels peaceful and more personal to go direct to your blog. And now I can participate via “comments.”
I’m hoping you have great success, lively respectful discussions and a growing community here. I have no doubt you will.
I’m looking forward to it!!
Thanks Janet, I value your comments…glad you are here.
Hi Jon,
Thank you for hard work on this blog and the wonderful pictures. It feels like I’m extended family! Keep up the good work with the Mansion, too!
Thanks much Linda, and welcome..
Love the blog and happy to be able to let you know!
Hello Jon – I am a long-time fan of your beautiful blog and books. You work so very hard on our behalf creating messages and pictures that are a joy to experience. Very glad to be able to say hello, and thank you for your important work. Here’s to the Army of Good. Best to you, all the animals and Maria…
Maggie, thank you and welcome to the first comments ever on the blog. I appreciate your good words and I hope you find this a comfortable and useful places to comment. Hope to see you here again.
Salutations!
Same to you, Claudia…
Bedlam farm seems like a peaceful place (as peaceful as Nature gets) and I hope comments to the blog respect that aura. I look forward to reading your posts and the responses that follow.
Thanks Sheila, welcome and I look forward to reading your comments as well. I feel good about this new place.
Love is all. Thanks, Jon.
I like that you are in a place with yourself where you know comments would no longer be potentially damaging to your blogging. I’ve been “checking in” to your writing for years and maybe being able to see that someone else is reading will feel good.
Sheri, it is a danger to anybody’s writing or focus, there is only so much interaction one’s head has room for. I feel strongly about building online communities, so it’s worth a good long and committed shot. But I am not sure it isn’t unhealthy for a writer who needs a lot of head space. we’ll see. It feels right to me.
I love that you’ve opened up the comment section of your blog. I’ve always felt this as more intimate than Facebook. It’s my hope others will see that, too and trend toward this again. I know I always appreciate so much when a comment is left directly on my blog posts.
It feels like a richer connection. Thanks again.
Thanks Barbara, it does feel more intimate to me, a recognition that this is a community. And a safe one.
I love seeing the posts about Gus,Red, Fate,Lily and Fannie. Also the kitties and the sheep. I have visited several times ,also Robin is ADORABLE!!!!!
From the west coast of Canada, greetings! You and your Army of Good were mentioned recently at an inspirational Gospel Music concert. I look forward to your posts and have had occasion to share your site with others. Such timely topics, I often find myself nodding in agreement and challenging myself to live out my truth as situations arise. My guiding principle is to love God and love others.
Thanks for your honesty and humility.
It is beautiful to hear The Army Of Good was mentioned recently at an inspirational Gospel Music concern. Wow. thank you for sharing that with me..
Hello Jon. Thanks for the blog, photos of your critters, muse, flowers, books and beautiful strong women and now a chance to talk directly to you and the Army of Good. A big grin takes over my face at the sight and thought of them. Your blog gives me food for thought and encourages me to create more community locally. More power to the Army of Good and your blog. Reading “Talking to Dogs” and trying out the visualization on my dear Izzy. Good luck with all your endeavors. Thank you.
Very sweet, Bev..thanks.
Hello Jon! Thanks to my Dad, he got me started on your books. He’d read one, and he’d say “I think you’ll like this”. My whole family are dog lovers. Anyways, I’m not a big reader and your books wouid accumulate on my bedroom chair. So, I read one (the Frieda one) and now I’m hooked. There’s still one unread, but I will get to that one (after my Twin Peaks book). I promise! And we’ll be getting your new one soon! Your work inspires me to be a better person. Really…