One man's plea.
This is the public space.
This blog... these words... that weird orange squiglette just north... this is the public space.
And where the creation of public thought and communal action is concerned... the public space is sacred.
I think of the public space as a party... the best party I've ever attended... with all the smartest people... the most connected people... the most influential people.
It's a party where the seeds of real, important shit might just get done.
You can express ideas at this party... you can argue at this party... you can challenge peoples opinions... and tell your darkest secrets (dildo anyone)... and, even, be the lone voice of dissent.
But you can't be a fuckburger.
You just can't.
You can't call people names... and you can't threaten to go throw a rock throw someone's window... and you can't throw around words like "racist""sexist""fattist""liar""shitheel"/"closet republican" and you can't scream, "I'm leaving," then come back again as if nothing's ever happened... and you can't follow someone from room to room yelling at them like a banshee, haranguing them with your pet grievance.
You... cannot... be... a... fuckburger.
In the real world (and despite the fact that it appears to be just you and your computer... this IS still the real world)... no one would ever invite you back... and likely... eventually... hosts would just stop throwing the party altogether.
Shorter... you cannot do things HERE... that you would not do out there.
Because this is the public space.
The public space is sacred, and once it is defiled... it's worthless.
The public space is sacred.