Nonetheless, I feel compelled to leap into the fray, 'cause, well, that's who I am, that's what I do. Besides, I was invited. But more on that later; first - the topic at hand. You may want to sit, I have big news.

*drumroll*

The internet is public!

You heard it here first, folks. 

Breathe. I know it's hard to believe. 

Whatever you type in this vast space o' cyber is searchable, findable, and readable, by- get this - people you may not even know!

*falls over laughing so hard she cannot type for a moment*

Eh. Sorry. Warned you it wasn't really a rant. 

I know, I know, it's all been done before. Netiquitte on linking to blogs and LJ's, asking for permission to post stories, giving out email addies, etc. etc. etc. But I think this one is kinda new, so bear with me, yea?

See, I'm trolling through friends' of friends' LJs (cause once again, PUBLIC) and I come across someone who has Something To Say about smut, and how it's written. Ah, a subject near and dear to my heart. So, I reply. I agree with one of her points, disagree about several others. State my opinion, label it as such (although normally, I fucking *hate* it when people do that. Hello. Whose opinions would you write, if not your own?) 'cause I figure, Ok, she doesn't know me. And I move on. Life beckons.

I come home from work and am hastily informed that an entire tempest in a tea bag has erupted because, yes, you guessed it: I have posted an opinion on someone else's journal! And it wasn't something the journal owner agreed with!

So you know, what would *you* do? Me? Well, I'd answer back in the LJ, maybe say, hey, thanks for your thoughts, I disagree, here's why. But apparently, I have no idea how this whole mysterious concept of discussion works. Apparently, the correct procedure is to delete the post which disagrees with yours, then ask everyone you know how to handle it "when someone you don't know from Adam 'disses' you in your own journal!" See, apparently, disagreeing with someone is 'dissing' them. I didn't know this either. It's nice to learn new things.

But I am being snarky. I have that tendency. I shall regroup. 

Ok.

Let us go back The Beginning. Common Courtesy and Discourse 101, if you will. 

1. Everyone has opinions. You know the rest of this idiom.
2. Not everyone's opinions will coincide with your own.
3. Expressing said opinions is neither disrespectful, nor rude, unless words such as "fuck your mother with a feather duster" are exchanged.

What part of this is difficult to understand? Just in case, allow me to summarize for the communication impaired:

If you put your opinions on the internet for people to see them, people will SEE them. They will then wish to respond to you, thereby having what one calls a CONVERSATION. Then, before you know it, you are INTERACTING with people you never even knew before! 

Now, if you want to say things that you *don't* necessarily want others to hear? Here's a good freakin' idea. DON'T PUT THEM ON THE FUCKING INTERNET. 

Post a story? Expect good and negative feedback. Put up a site? Expect people to visit it. Join a COMMUNITY called Live Journal? Expect people to read it!

Oh, there are options. For instance, wanna put things on your LJ, but don't want just anyone to reply? Choose Friends Only. Don't wanna hear what ANYONE else other than you has to say? (you don't have many friends, do you?) then delete the comments option. Do NOT leave the option to communicate with you open and expect me to know I am not supposed to do it.

You won't see alot about my personal life in my blog, or my LJ. Know why? 'Cause it's none of your fucking business. :} If I wanna tell people, I will tell them in a forum where any idiot with a modem can not accidentally learn about my secret history as a transvestite spy for small Eastern bloc nations. 

But if I want a debate? Well hell, I'll do something like this. I'll put up my thoughts for the whole 
www.world to read, and I'll sit back and wait and see if anyone actually gives a flying fuck about what I have to say. And if they do? I'll be giddy for a while, cause I have intelligent and thoughtful discourse going about a topic I care enough to *write about*. 

It happens lots around here. Sometimes, bunches of us on many sides of multiple issues actually talk for DAYS about something. Sometimes, feelings run high. Sometimes, people have to come back later. Most times? Everyone says their piece and life continues right along. The world doesn't even end when not everyone agrees! 

I know, you need to sit down again. I'll wait, 'cause the next revelation is even bigger:

Sometimes? You can actually *become friends* with someone who has a different opinion than you! Sometimes, it's FUN. 

Of course, if you just want friends who are exactly like you, hey, it's a free country.

But if you are a part of a community, and if all you want on your LJ are people who freaking agree with *everything* you have to say? Please go play with other children. 'Cause grown ups are busy actually discussing things over here.

P.S. Sarah T., Kate B., Mustang Sally and Te? I publicly salute your inyourface opinion expressing. I may not always (ok, rarely even, but what the hell) agree with you, but your willingness to engage in actual, rational discussion around volatile topics without descending into adolescence is truly inspiring.
 

Chat with me on my LJ. It's what it's there for.