In the JBlogosphere, on the other hand, such issues conjure up images not of King Arthur but of the Chafetz Chaim, tz"l; not of a code of conduct but of the Laws of Loshon Hora--or at least they should. As tempting as Loshon Hora is when we talk to each other face to face, when we communicate virtually online, and can even avoid using our real name--how much greater are the temptations. How much the more so when attitude, wisecracks and worse are what seem to bring back our readers.
It's an enormous temptation.
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin relates:
The Chofetz Chaim was told that people might not want to learn the laws of speech because they feel they would anyway transgress them, one way or another. "I'm fully aware of that problem," said the Chofetz Chaim. "I have even spoken to R' Yisroel Salanter about it. He told me, 'It is worthwhile for someone to read your sefer on shemiras haloshon even if the only result will be a sigh when he completes it'" (Guard your Tongue, by Rabbi Pliskin, p.5).As JBloggers, concerned with Loshon Hora and the potential for Chillul HaShem, we should not forget that sigh--and perhaps to pause a moment to consider--before sending our thoughts out into the Internet.
Technorati Tag: JBlogosphere and Blogging.
5 comments:
Israelly Cool! noted an irony about the NY Times article that Henninger cited.
I'd also point out that the editors of the Times and its oped writers aren't always that civil when expressing opinions about President Bush or others they disagree with.
But putting aside the MSM, bloggers themselves have raised the point, and that is why--and that is the context in which--I wanted to touch upon it as well.
I've always said that the anonymity of the blogosphere has let to terrible incivility.
Good post.
Post a Comment