*Warning* The Internet is now considered Mainstream
I spend a lot of time reading various news sources and one topic that has been talked about a lot recently is about 'policeing' blogs. The issue is that bloggers (I hate this name) are becoming concerned about the type of comments and how their self-published content (mostly pictures of people's children). Anyone that has any experience with Internet forums, realizes that flaming and retarded comments are the norm. Apparently we need to let the Interweb newbs that this is acceptable, and often humorous behavior.
So now they want to adopt some 'guidelines' for appropriate behavior. Various levels of flair badges, will be made available to bloggers (hate this word). Each badge will relate to what kind of guidelines they are following.
The most wonderful thing about the Internet is that it is a basically an open canvas for any and all discussions. Although these pieces of flair badges are entirely optional, what kind of precedent are we setting? Basically setting up some kind of net segregation. Is that really the direction we are headed?
Its like what happens your favorite unknown band gets 'discovered' and gets widespread attention. Oh sure that band (and you by association) is now more awesome since everyone knows who they are. But they're not really the same anymore are they? Maybe their music changes to meet the demands of the new audience. Not the same band anymore are they? Sold out to the man? Hehe.
I mean its great that the Internet is so popular and there are so many cool and interesting things and people that can get together and exchange ideas. Bad news, is that every uneducated, overactive, overly sensitive idiot wants to change it because the Internet was mean to them. Waaa.