No Echo Chamber Wanted Here

Readers,

I have seen a few people claiming that I allow too many people free rein in what they say here at SSCF. I offer these thoughts so that there is a better understanding of what it means to run an open and active blog.

Anyone who has ever moderated a blog or Facebook page knows how hard it is. Now if a blog has very few readers and almost no comments, it may be hard to understand this point.
1.  One of two important issues to consider is that I am one person.  A person who is trying to have a life of her own. 

(Of course, if some readers would actually read for content and not be reactive every waking minute of the day, then those readers would know I’m (mostly) not going to be covering SPS at this blog anymore. I'm going to be writing about higher level issues like personalized learning, charter schools and student data privacy.)

As well, I cannot be on call to moderate 24/7.  It's just not possible.  I review comments several times a day but there are times when - gasp! - hours will go by before I get to them.  Plus (and unfortunately), Google Blogspot is not supported on iPhone.  Super irritating and it means I can't immediately delete comments from my phone.

As well, I am guilty of what all of us probably do - skim, rather than read.  I occasionally miss something that I should have addressed.  (I note with amusement people who run over here for five minutes, skim a story and its comments and declare we are all terrible people.  That's just laziness.)

2) Second issue is that, from the start with co-writer, Charlie Mas, we never wanted this blog to be an echo chamber.  I know some of you believe it is but the evidence doesn't support that.  Time after time, I have allowed very harsh comments against programs and staff and board members and yes, even myself.  I am proud of some discussions where solutions were put forth and grievances were aired.

And some people who blog need more hand-holding and positive reinforcement to get thru the day. Some of us don’t. 

I believe it’s important to be authentic and listen even if I disagree. And, if I challenge someone, I do it in a calm manner (and sometimes with a little sarcasm). The number of times, when I ask someone to be less cryptic or to cite their data and then just....crickets, is amazing.

Meaning, some people just come to rant and this isn't a rant and rave blog.

Meaning, some people post in a troll-like manner, just to be unkind, unpleasant and hurtful.

And, there are a very few people who believe they are the hammer for public education and then think it their duty to slam anyone who looks like a nail.

Why don’t I challenge difficult remarks at this blog?

- I already mentioned the #1 answer - this is not an echo chamber.

- I already mentioned #2 answer - I am one person.

- It is a challenge to determine intent and meaning from some readers. I often then ask for clarification and, if it doesn't come, I generally delete.

- Because I have great readers who, when they smell BS, let someone have it. I don’t have to lead all the time.

- Because that’s how you hear about everything that is out there in the ether. It’s important to know what other people think, the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Again, it's fine to have a blog where everyone agrees with you and thinks you're great.  But that's an echo chamber, not a blog.  I hold this criticism for the Gates Foundation as well.  If they got out of the echo chamber mode, they might do some good in public education.

- Sometimes it’s just good to let something truly ugly just sit there like a dog turd on the sidewalk. Some people's venom and invective speaks for itself. 

Discussion is important for this district, this city, this state and, especially, this country.

Let’s bring passion to the table.

Let’s listen more than talk.

Let’s be specific rather vague.

Let’s ask questions if we don’t understand rather than assume the worst and issue a broadside.

Let’s always keep learning every day and find that common humanity we share.

Onward.

One last thing.  District 3 candidate Michael Christophersen did just a silly, petty thing way back when.  He took the URL of this blog, tweaked it very, very slightly, and created a blog that has the same template as this one.  I did call him out at the time because, well, nothing succeeds like success and I guess he thought he could fool people.  I see that he is currently trying - by posting in comments in some local media - to push that URL so as to drive people to read his blog. 

You'd think running for school board would keep him busy except that he didn't actually file with the PDC and shows up for none of the candidate events.

Sigh.