Walking on the thin line
Written by Amutha on October 6, 2008 – 2:28 pm
Being supportive of own community and being a racist has its difference. Racism is very much a hot topic right and everyone tends to be really careful about any remark that they make of a person from another ethnic group. Kavilan has this wonderful piece of racism written here few days ago.
As MINDSBLOG moderator, I’m currently in a very tensed situation. It is difficult to implement the T&C of MINDSBLOG if one doesn’t understand why we set up MINDSBLOG in the first place. Every important details about us is stated clearly in our About & Register pages. Being a bloggers’ group dedicated to Malaysian Indians, I would say we are in the right track of debating issues with a Malaysian Indian-touch to it. And by doing so, it isn’t fair to tag the authors or the blog as being racist.
Although the definition of racism varies from individuals to individuals, I think everyone would agree if I say some of the key elements of racism is ego, superiority complex and hatred one may have against other races/ethnic groups. I don’t think we are anywhere close to that – Thank God!
Some topics and issues here may be universal – eg. the article on DSLR, Gym and Online Profile. Nevertheless, as universal it may sound, it doesn’t run away from the fact that these are ALSO issues pertaining our community. It is a crime to aim small but it is not a crime to hold a small talk on these topics.
That is one and secondly, our stand has always been clear. No topics on sensitive issues on religion, sex and politics to be allowed as a matter of respect to others. No vulgarities to be tolerated, besides few other ‘universally’ known regulations. Answering the question if we are indeed contradicting ourselves by me saying organizing our first activity in Batu Caves is for its spiritual touch, while we made our stand that no religion-based posts allowed, I think it is pretty clear that one is a friendly commentary and another one is a strict guideline. If being friendly is not appreciated, I have no qualms of being stern all the time.
Like the title said, we are walking on the thin line here – maintaining professionalism while discussing topics of our interest but without crossing the boundary of ethics. So far we are doing great and I hope we will make it even bigger.
Posted in Announcement | 28 Comments »
October 7th, 2008 at 7:32 am
athe seri..
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October 7th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
“If being friendly is not appreciated, I have no qualms of being stern all the time.”
Is MINDSBLOG a school or nursery for being stern towards the members and bla bla bla….gosh…i believe that MINDSBLOG is doing great(so far). Well, moderator, you asked me to write to you personally for any further clarification? why is that so? why do we need the transparency in it..well someone else might have the same question that i wanted to ask and it might clear it out for him/herself as well right?
See, im not trying to bombard here. You know i was the one came back to MINDSBLOG and requested for author rights after being dropped out for not being active in posting, right? I was so enthusiast about being an author (where there’s no more such roles which i think is really good)try to give some useful informations and write-ups but now why am i questioning?
Remember, I wrote a post about the scientific connection between human body and temple structure. its purely about science and there’s NO superstitious statements like the deities in the holy house will give you supreme power to gain whatever you want in your life!!! that’s crappy, all i want to write is about the science and vibration between planets and the elements that used to build the temple. But guess what, I was given a Big NO NO to such topic because itseems to be religious and its against the T&C of MINDSBLOG. But later a statement was given by the same admin who rejected the fore mentioned posting that her statement is just a genre or a ” friendly” commentary. Now if the admin says it,its friendly but when i says so, it violates the T&C and it might mislead the purpose of MINDSBLOG, right? Is that special priviledge for the HIGHER AUTHORITIES? And mind you, all the admin are my friends, im not against them, you know what i am asking, k. so please don’t take it personaly.
oh well, its not something that i wanna make it big. If i wanted to i would hav wrote this comment in the previous posting itself. But what the author of this posting mentioned did some how make me feel its so hypocrite. OMG, im sick of saying this, all bloggers are hypocrite,including me right? but don’t la make it too obvious.
And, im not saying this to ask to take back my posting about the what-so-ever religious crap, i opened my mouth because a new post was posted against the simple comment that i gave and also from another reader. Its so obvious that it has been taken too personal. Well, if were to reply every comment with a posting, i bet Mindsblog’s gonna have the most numbers of posting, yeaaayy, thumbs up man..!!we made another record, aint we?
Some of you might be cursing who is this pathetic lil feces gap talking like a rooster here. well say all u can say, curse all u can curse, im not saying i am right.it was just a simple comment over the earlier issue and here it sounds like a blog war…whoowowoo, wait, im not a blog soldier or fighter.im just a lame personal blogger, i just say what i felt and i didnt mean to attack anyone personaly so please don’t take me wrong but if you really get offended, go ahead. all i can say is we are grown ups, we don’t need war councils or double standards but just be original.free a vide free a vidu.!!!lolz
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The ego is a self-justifying historian, which seeks only that information that agrees with it, rewrites history when it needs to, and does not even see the evidence that threatens it.
–Anthony G. Greenwald
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Amutha Reply:
October 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
This is for a simple comment of me saying its for spiritual touch? Even the tone of the my comment sounded friendly with a smiley attached to it, no?
Okie. Let me make it clear once again.
When I say ’stern’, I didn’t say I’m going to turn into a discipline teacher. I’m saying that I will not be making friendly commentaries if it is not taken ‘friendly’ if it is made into an issue. Even that looks pretty clear in my post itself.
Yes I said that you may e-mail us for further clarification but requesting for clarification if its needed by e-mailing or calling – isn’t that a standard thing in most organization? Plus, the nature of a blog makes it a little difficult for such Q&A as it may deviate from the real post, forum will be a better venue for it or it is even more professional if the questions are asked via e-mails.
You were removed as an author because you were not active and I don’t think you can deny that fact. However, now the T&C has been revised and every member has the rights to post article here. If indeed your articles are related to our theme, surely it will be published.
No one is cursing you or no one is having any ill-feelings over you personally for which many including myself do not know you that well in person. Thus taking anything personally is out of question here. In fact,this is an announcement of 2 issues that were going on in MINDSBLOG.
We are trying our best to be original as you mentioned. That’s why we are creating a niche for ourselves, for this group. We are trying to be different, a class of our own. Like I said before, we are doing well and we will make it bigger in the future.
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vickn3s Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
“You were removed as an author because you were not active and I don’t think you can deny that fact.”– DID i deny that?cant u read what i had mentioned in my comment above?Is it just u or is because of the authority power?
Organisation? hahaha YKS ITHU!! If u say so lor…
*Sighed and hitting on the forehead and walking away from the topic. May god bless MINDSBLOG!*
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October 8th, 2008 at 12:52 am
im pretty new to this site and to be honest i dont know where this posting came from BUT racism is like you said a hot topic right now. But really what is your definition of racism? There was this blogger who was allegedly racist and made headlines and became a overnight star because of a posting. Is that racist? As a indian i was not annoyed what so ever because you have to be a bit more tolerant towards some ppl who make innocent mistakes(at least i would like to think so).
Anyway..as a moderator its not as easy as some many think it is but you have to maintain some level of freedom of speech and debate. If you feel something which could spark controversy, do a isa and remove it man!
PS-Nice work with the site
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vickn3s Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 10:02 am
welcome abi, u have a nice site too.
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October 8th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
OK, i just started reading the comments. Will take couple of hours to finish it. brb
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October 8th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Phew*!!!
Vicknes’s comment is so long it can be made as a blog post itself! lol .
So the moral of the story is… like customer is always right , administrators are always right. Eh sounds so much like BN.lolx.
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vickn3s Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
arasiyal ithu ellam sagajem thaane…lolz
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novinthen Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
*Sighed and hitting on the forehead and walking away from the topic. May god bless VICKY!*
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vickn3s Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
macam pernah dengar je..haha
October 8th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Never mind author, how do I even become a member? All these while I didn’t know got membership also.. :p
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vickn3s Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Bro,u should read the T&C first, then only u can register. Then u can start posting. cheers..welcome on board!!!
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sactyr @ naga Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
LOL I smell a bit of sarcasm there..
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vickn3s Reply:
October 9th, 2008 at 10:12 am
hahaha,,cheh cheh…no la bro..im man of direct ammo.lolz
novinthen Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Lol vicks. anyway i think Ms.Amutha or Mr.Mahen can help Sactyr on membership issues. Try contacting them sactyr.
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sactyr Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
No prob.. just became a member. Now wondering how to put up my blog on their blogroll. Sigh I will just leave that to the mods.
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Amutha Reply:
October 8th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Thanks for registering sactyr.
We made some changes to the concept of MINDSBLOG after our second gathering (http://www.mindsblog.com/index.php/2008/07/10/mindsblog-2nd-gathering-the-outcome/) but as it was just another blog post, many would have missed it. I think it’s wise to put a small banner at the side bar linking to the registration page. It will be clearer that way. I’ll talk to Saravanan regarding it. By the way, he is the one taking care of technical issues of MINDSBLOG and he will be adding you soon to the blogroll.
Welcome to MINDSBLOG
October 9th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Welcome to Mindsblog, sactyr!
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October 12th, 2008 at 1:43 am
welcome onboard to new members.
to the rest : korang nih taktau stick to the topic ke?!
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vicknes Reply:
October 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Ask ur admin to stick to the purpose of the mindsblog 1st la bro. Posting personal opinions on mindsblog is allowed?since when? it contributes to indians nah, fuyooohh, yea very the great contribution la…hahaha. if only this posting never exist, we ( the out of topic commentators) wouldnt exist as well.
**knocking my head on the wall and crawling away**
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Kavilan Nakaswaram Reply:
October 13th, 2008 at 10:25 am
IMHO, this posting is pertinent to the purpose of mindsblog. It can be in no way regarded as a personal opinion. It is more of a explanation of situations. The moderator should be posting such articles when misunderstandings happen, as it would enlighten the other members as well.
Even if this article might not contribute to Indians generally, it still does provide an insight to the workings of Mindsblog to all members.
Ridiculing comments wouldn’t help. Let’s drop this argument and move on. EVERYONE.
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novinthen Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Just quick questions which i believe that i will never get an answer:
1.”It is more of a explanation of situations.”–> then why the heck that we were told to email the author personally for any clarification?they might as well post it here for all to know, which vickn3s had pre-mentioned earlier.
2.”Ridiculing comments wouldn’t help”—> I wonder when we will take things seriously. Hmmm reminds me of a tamil saying, pudikaatevenge okkathanlum tappu, ninallum tappu. (According to MINDSBLOG T&C, a translation in English= people who don’t like, sit also wrong stand also wrong)
Mahendran Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
kavi’s reply, is seconded.
and novin, yes…pudikaatevenge okkathanlum tappu, ninallum tappu… it goes to all
Amutha Reply:
October 15th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’m afraid both questions have been answered earlier in my previous comment:
1. …requesting for clarification if its needed by e-mailing or calling – isn’t that a standard thing in most organization? Plus, the nature of a blog makes it a little difficult for such Q&A as it may deviate from the real post, forum will be a better venue for it or it is even more professional if the questions are asked via e-mails.
To elaborate more on this, we don’t wish to ridicule anyone or wash anyone’s dirty linen in public. That’s not why we are formed, and that’s not why we are here. Bickering doesn’t help.
2. No one is cursing you or no one is having any ill-feelings over you personally for which many including myself do not know you that well in person. Thus taking anything personally is out of question here.
But we must always remember.. being bloggers, people judge us seeing the way we write and express ourselves. Someone taught me that and I am holding on to that lesson.
ammu.
vickn3s Reply:
October 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
haha, if were to bicker others of cuz mindsblog wont do it publicly. they are good in another way by abusing the authority.
*yawnz*
novinthen Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:08 am
“to the rest : korang nih taktau stick to the topic ke?!”—> Freedom of speech la bro!relak lahh
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October 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
As long as people whom blindly supports or siding another by favoritism, such scenario cant be avoided. Another multi authored blog will come and it will be supported blindly with the bunch of own people and some “*ssh*le” like me will be there to question and he shall be “discarded” as an outcast from that blog community.
Athu eppadi la, all will come comment and say what ever they wanna say and end the post with like an “ampat” by giving advice like ” we shall talk like an adult, we shall drop the discussion, there’s no point arguing about it bla bla bla….then why is it been done previously is consider what? childish!
as all requested, i will stop commenting about this topic cuz its just like a tamil proverb: gundu chatti kulle kuthirai otra maatri” vaalga tamilan, valargah indians!!!
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