Bryan Guess -- Blog

Today, I promise to myself and every person on the Internet that...

If a webpage has a place for comments, I will avoid adding to it.

If I feel the need to say something about a thing I have encountered on the Internet, I will first try to do so internally—just a chat with myself, in my own head. There's a strong chance I will write out my thoughts in an effort to clarify my thinking, but this will be just for me (with no intent to "publish" it). If that doesn't suffice and I feel compelled to externalize my thoughts, I will choose to have a conversation with a friend, loved one, or elder—the wiser the better—at a time that is convenient for them. During that conversation, I will listen deeply and try to understand the other person's thoughts on the topic. (I may do this more than once.)

If after thinking, journaling, and conversing, I still feel the need to respond to someone online, I will only do so only if:

1. I am responding to the creator of the work about that work specifically—never to some other commenter or about some other topic;
2. I have read, watched, or listened to the entire work;
3. I have contemplated the work, internalized it, and taken pains to understand it from its creator's point-of-view;
4. I am responding out of a spirit of generosity and good will; and...
5. what I intend to share has potential to benefit others.

Maybe tomorrow I'll renew my promise.