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VOLUME CONTROL ON MOB RULE
Yes the Internet can amplify both the good and bad in mankind, but we forget that we all have a volume control. We get to choose what we pass on and amplify, what we push back against, and what we simply ignore.
We all have a volume control on mob rule. We don’t have to link to people causing trouble on the web unless we feel they have a valid point. In fact once you have an online presence it is in your interests to only link to things that enhance your reputation rather than make you look stupid. Once you have a degree of credibility on the web you don’t want to lose that credibility by wasting it on pointing to things that either aren’t true, or are overly abusive or negative. But we have to be aware of this power and exercise it responsibly. We can turn the volume control on mob rule up or down and we have to think carefully about whichever we do – and its consequences. What are you linking to? What are you saying by linking? What are the likely consequences?
You don’t of course have to link to things. There are ways that you can talk about things that you feel are negative without increasing their exposure on the web. We can refer to things but not link to them. I have often commented on something I disagreed with, or disapproved of, and not linked to it because I didn’t want to increase its Google rankings. I am able to pass on condemnation without increasing their profile. Not only do we have the choice to not link to something if we don’t ...
