Blogging Principles

Update: I've signed the Online Integrity Statement of Principles

Update #2: I've added Dr. FreeRide's Rules of Engagement

I've been meaning to write down, and post, my blogging principles since Blogher.  Frank's request finally prompted me to get it done.  Now the hard work is to go back through nearly two years of posts to amend those violations of principles.

My blogging principles are based on  Socrates' Triple Filter Test.  (Thanks to Jim Hutt for reminding me of it.)

1. Is it true?
2. Is it good?
3. Will it be useful (to me or to my readers)?

Well, if you are not sure it is true, you know it is not good, and you tell me that it will not be useful to me, why then tell it to me?”

If I can't verify the truth, (see below), I won't post it.  If it isn't in service of the good, I won't write about it (I've violated this one several times in the past, let me tell you).  If it isn't useful to me or to others, I won't post it.

Purpose:
I maintain this blog to write about issues and events that interest me, horrify me, enrage me, amuse me, or enlighten me. This blog reflects my views and opinions.  Feel fee to disagree, be bored, or  offended.  I do hope you will find things with which to agree, be entertained,  or pleased.

Truth, assertion, and speculation:
I will clearly label matters that I know to be true, assertions of my opinion, and speculation as to the truth.

Privacy: Does It Belong To Me, and Me Alone?

I will try to respect the privacy of others.  I won't write about the private lives and issues of those around me, no matter how I hear about them. (This is a lesson I learned the hard way, and yes I have failed this test in the past.) CAVEAT: If someone has published information about herself in her own blog, I will feel free to blog about that information.  I won't reveal email addresses.

Fair Use:
I will strive to reproduce the least amount of material from a post or an article  that will allow me to carry my arguments.  I will link back to the original URL where ever possible.  CAVEAT:  I may publish at more length from those online publications that do not archive (or change the URLs for archived items), or otherwise make the material unavailable, in order to preserve the meaning of my post.

Right Speech, and Comments:
I will strive not to used objectionable language.  I will delete or edit comments that I would object to, if I heard them in person. CAVEAT: I will try to be transparent in such changes.     I reserve the right to edit or delete comments from persons I suspect of using multiple names or IP addresses to inflate their presence on this blog.  (no "sock puppets").   Spam and off-topic comments will be removed without any notice.

Corrections:
If I make an error of fact, I'll correct it, with an acknowledgement of the error.  I will acknowledge when my opinion changed.

Linking and Crediting:
I attempt to provide links to all material I quote on this blog, and also to the site that pointed me to the material of interest wherever possible.  CAVEAT: One exception might be to refrain from linking to a site which I find objectionable.  I will make the effort to provide interested parties with directions to the site, without linking.  CAVEAT: Linkrot happens, and is beyond my control.

Changes to posts:
I reserve the right to change or edit previous posts.  I strive to make such changes transparent (such as leaving the post up, and noting the changes), but I also reserve the right to do so behind the scenes.

Transparency:
I will try to reveal any connections or conflicts of interest I have with the subject of posts, or persons I quote.

The Online Integrity Statement of Principles is simple:

Private persons are entitled to respect for their privacy regardless of their activities online.  This includes respect for the  non-public nature of their personal contact information, the  inviolability of their homes, and the safety of their families.  No information which might lead others to invade these spaces should be posted.  The separateness of private persons’ professional lives  should also be respected as much as is reasonable.

Public figures are entitled to respect for the non-public nature  of their personal, non-professional contact information, and their  privacy with regard to their homes and families.  No information which might lead others to invade these spaces should be posted.

Persons seeking anonymity or pseudonymity online should have their wishes in this regard respected as much as is reasonable.  Exceptions include cases of criminal, misleading, or intentionally disruptive behavior.

Violations of these principles should be met with a lack of positive publicity and traffic.

[snip]

This statement is nonpartisan and nonideological.  It is open to participants and adherents left, right and center.  In an era when online activism and community have more impact, promise and peril than ever, it is essential that we seize upon the best aspects of the internet — its self-policing, democratic nature — and use them to set an example of reasoned restraint and considered civility.

If you wish to be on record as endorsing this statement, please send an e-mail with your name and website.

 

Credits for inspiration in my principles, in no particular order
Kirk
Lisa (the blogmother of blogging principles, in my view)
Chris Pirillo's Blogging Manifesto
Rebecca Mackinnon, especially disclaimers and code of ethics
Rebecca Blood's The Weblog Hanbook
Charlene Li
Ginger's Blog Policy
Online Integrity

June 24 2007: You should also go read Dr. FreeRide's Rules of Engagement

Comments

[Brynn Winters]

Thanks for the article. I saw some other interesting educational sites for girls: Girlstart.com, Allaboutraiven.com, and GirlPower! Brynn

[L. Wright]

There are no manufactured SEI approved riding helmets in the style of a true cowboy hat or western hat. There is a hardhat that resembles the cowboy hat style but it is not recommended or approved for horseback riding. Troxel's attempt, although a safe helmet, is visually as far off track as you can get from our western heritage and look of a cowboy style hat.

If a western style/cowboy style riding helmet "cover" were available, would you be
interested?

Design development is underway & I would appreciate honest feedback to: camp@yitsaranch.com

Thanks from the Y Itsa Ranch
L. Wright, Horsemanship Program Director