In My Living Room

Decorum on Social Media

Recently there has been a spate of comments making personal attacks on other commentators, sometimes including cursing and obscenities. In some cases, I suspect that I personally agree with the underlying political views of the commentators, but that does not make such attacks any more acceptable.

This is a great disappointment because in the 10+ months that this Substack has been in existence we have not previously experienced such vitriolic personal attacks by one commentator on another.

I think of this Substack as my living room with about 2000 invited guests and several thousand others who just drop in from time to time, but all of whom come to discuss issues or just listen. I respectfully ask that everyone observe the same rules of decorum that you would while in your own or another’s living room.

In that setting, I think that you would not think it appropriate to respond to another guest’s comment with expletives or ad hominem personal attacks.

I know that some of the topics here, especially those relating to President Biden and former President Trump, generate strong emotions. Nevertheless, if another commentator makes a point, either of fact or opinion, with which you disagree, “F**k you,” or “You’re an idiot” is not a substitute for reasoned debate. And it convinces no one of anything, except perhaps that the commentator is a bit irrational.

So please resist the temptation.

Although I am publishing this for everyone to see, I want to emphasize that the problem has been limited to a miniscule proportion of readers. But, like a small amount of poison dropped into a pool of water, it can pollute the entire discussion and deter others from partaking. It also devalues this Substack, which I have worked hard to make a place that often discusses controversial ideas but hopefully in an analytical way.

Because I do not want such comments to poison the well, I have deleted those that I have seen. I may sometimes miss some. But I ask everyone to please observe the fundamental rules of civility: No cursing or obscenities and no personal attacks on other commentators. If you cannot observe these norms, then you are in the wrong place. Repeat offenders will be blocked without further notice or discussion.