On Blogging
I’m in Fresno this morning with the Zoe Group for our West Coast Conference. Our next conference will be in six weeks in Lubbock.
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Here are Scot McKnight’s reflections on blogging (from a book I’ll be telling you much more about):
“Blogging may be the world’s most fascinating form of communication. Someone jots down their ideas, clicks ‘publish,’ and those ideas instantaneously appear for the whole world to see. The world does see. More importantly, the world sometimes comments back. Sometimes anonymously and sometimes bitingly and sometimes it hurts. The first lesson a blogger learns is this: anyone in the world can say anything they want at anytime on a blog. The second lesson is this: you may not know that person. In my first week of blogging at www.jesuscreed.org I learned these two lessons, and they shocked me. One of the first questions that wandered its way through my head when I began reading a comment on something I had written was ‘Who is this person anyway?’
“After years of teaching, preaching, and writing, comments and questions were common for me. I am used to be questioned. In fact, I enjoy it. But teachers know who is saying what and more often than not we also know where our students’ questions are ‘coming from.’ But those who drop comments in the comment box on a blog can do so anonymously or with a fictitious name. Under the cloak of anonymity, they can become bold and brazen and can blast away. Incivility marks blogs far too often. To be sure, blogs form blog communities where most learn enough about other commenters that, even if we don’t know the person personally, we recognize their electronic personality. Knowing one another restores civility. Still, until one discovers ‘who is who’ and ‘where they are coming from,’ comments can sometimes startle and shock.”
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Rule of thumb: the nicer the hotel, the less likely it is that wireless will be free. I’m thankful for all those cheapo- and middle-of-the-road hotels where wireless and breakfast are free!
All hail LaQuinta!
And one more thing — if you don’t like the internet prices at the nice hotels, why do you keep staying there?
$44.95 a week for internet access at that Crowne Plaza in Colorado Springs a couple of weeks back. Absolutely free at the Days Inn in my parents’ home two weeks prior. It just ain’t right.
Hey, I’m at Country Inn and Suites, baby. But you’re right, Matt. Maybe I’m still shocked that a Holiday Inn thought they were in the “we’re-so-fancy-we-can-charge-you-twelve-bucks-a-day-for-wireless” category.
Also, add in the free breakfasts at the cheaper hotels. No free breakfasts at five star hotels.
A couple of years ago a bunch of faculty in our department went to a conference. Everyone got to stay at the five star hotel where the conference was being held except two of us (they ran out of rooms for attendees). So I volunteered along with my friend Jeff to stay off-site at a Days Inn a few blocks away. We thought we were making a sacrifice. But no, we enjoyed free internet and free breakfast all weekend. Everyone at the five star hotel was paying outrageous amounts for internet and were skipping breakfast because it was so expensive.
I agree with Scot that anonymous commenting spirals internet conversations down to a place that is unproductive. I left one of the critical comments in your last entry. But I at least left a link & an E-mail address that anyone could find me if they found my sentiments disagreeable. I noticed at least one other person leaving their phone number — that was pretty classy. That’s the way it should be done.
Curious why you chose that particular excerpt. It’s just so hard to understand your motives/intentions sometimes, Mike — and it kinda feels passive-aggressive to be honest. Perhaps it is a subtle way of confessing hurt & saying, “Back off.” Or is it mere idle reflection on the enterprise of blogging? Hard to tell.
It’s always hard to understand fully another person’s motives/intentions, isn’t it Phillip? So hard to keep from guessing and assuming.
I put that quote because last night I read the chapter where it appears in McKnight’s newest book. I’m not quite ready to start writing about the main theme of the book. (And in my opinion, it’s his best book yet.) But thought those words were insightful.
“I’m thankful for all those cheapo- and middle-of-the-road hotels where wireless and breakfast are free!”
Did they leave the light on for you, Mike?
I stayed at a middle of the road hotel near Laguardia (sp?) airport in NYC last year that had no internet service but had cable TV with free HBO. It made me wonder how many business people traveling do they provide services for…and how many they could by simply getting some internet service.
It was a nice hotel for less than a $100 a night and that is hard to find in NYC.
-Rex
I stay in hotel 2-4 days a week. I usually stick with one brand for the points. I usually fly the same airlines (3) for the miles. I usually rent from the same car companies (2) because of price. What I have noticed is that hotel rooms are $20.00 more expensive per night, rent a car’s are $50.00 more expensive for a week, and airlines have gone up $30 per leg. Inflation here we come.
The office gave me a data card a while back and it’s a fast a network which sometimes outperforms the hotel’s wireless.
We are in the Barack Obama era. And we want to say that what we believe is, “See, anybody CAN become president.” But the fact is, what we are really THINKING, each of us individually, is “I AM president.” As such, no one has any right to dictate to me how I should relate to anyone else. This is played out in our political talk shows, radio programs, schools, churches, and homes. And it is perfected on internet blogs. I can say whatever I want. I do not have to submit to anyone. Each of us is saying (a la Tom Hanks in Castaway, “I have created fire!), “Look what I have written! I have written TRUTH!” No one wants to be subordinate to anyone else. After all, everyone is equal. As a result, community is lost.
Well…our gospel is about submission. Just because one CAN say something, does not mean that one should. Just because one CAN claim rights does not mean that one should. I would have my children embrace submission. Whatever situation they find themselves in – whatever oppression, whatever suffering, whatever illness, whatever enslavement – as the body of Christ, I would have them say to the world, “This is my body, broken for you.”
Joey Tilton jbazf(at)suddenlink(dot)net
Mike,
I always appreciate what you have to say on this blog and I always enjoy reading. And not just because I agree with what you say (though, I usually do), but its the tone that you present these topics that makes it so enjoyable. You had quite an impact on me as a teacher and continue to have an impact on many people through this blog. Thanks for what you do.
-Josh
Mike, you don’t mean _Parakeet_, do you? It’s pretty good, but not *that* good. qb
I have had nearly 700 comments since going to WordPress and only a few knuckle heads. I have deleted perhaps 2 or 3 comments because they were off color and off limits.
Our habit is to stay at Hilton’s when we can. Great rooms, great breakfasts, and free internet. They can’t be beat!
Mike you probably have more comment in two months than I do in two years so you are likely bothered more with odd comments than most of us.
Royce
So true about the hotels. It is the same principle at work that makes it true that the more expensive the restaurant, the less likely they are to give you free refils on soda. Drives me crazy.
Wish I could have been in Fresno. Our good friends Tony and Jennifer said it was great. They also said they gave you one of our CDs (westside praise). I hope you enjoy it.
Mike, blogging can be alot of fun and very frustrating at times too. But that’s why it’s more of a DIALOUGE than a MONOLOUGE to me. I maybe be in a room chatting where I don’t always know the people around me or that they agree with me. But at least they’re chatting with me. It’s frustrating to blog about something and no one comments so you wonder who you are talking to. But then that one thought sparks an interest and that’s where the fun begins.
Interested to hear more about the book. Will be tuned in…
I’m all for the free internet and free “FULL” breakfast!!!
I have noticed lately that there is a trend, if the name of the hotel ends with “Inn and Suites” it is usually a newer frachise or a recent remodel with flat screen tv, big soft poofy bed with about 30 pillows.
I am new to the blog thing, but I still dont understand where everyone gets the time to keep up. Between Facebook, Youtube, and blogging….when do any of you get time to hunt, fish, exercise, or even eat at Joe T’s? I guess its the economy………..people just dont get out like they use too.
Blue Parakeet, right?
I’m reading it too.
I clicked on your Zoe Conference link, thinking Lubbock is close enough for me to make the trip and to go enjoy what my heart longs for – non-stop praise of the One who is worthy!
While I was at the site I happened to read the little Mike Cope bio… I’m thinking maybe it is time for you to submit an update. Chris would love to graduate from middle school, I’m sure. And that little bit of granddaughterly sunshine is not even mentioned.
Tsk, tsk
There is a third correlation with less expensive hotels: free parking. I was in the Washington DC area for two weeks and paid $200+ for the hotel PLUS $18 per day to park my rental car in the garage. I seem to remember that there was free breakfast, but a fee for internet service.
I thought “Blue Parakeet” was great. Have already loaned it to the senior minister where we attend. Should be an interesting lunch conversation one day.