Contributing to LiB

Last year I announced that I was looking for guest bloggers to start writing for this site. It was an attempt to foster local writing talent, provide more material for discussion, and relieve me of some of the burden of producing content. Unfortunately, it never really took off. Consequently, I've been thinking about other, more flexible, ways to solicit your input.

The open mikes have given you an opportunity to start discussions on topics that interest you. However I usually only have one per week, and to set the topic you have to be quick enough to leave the first comment. Several people have tried to email me suggestions for topics, but because that's not the way the open mikes work, I've had to reject them.

A more radical approach would be to start a forum alongside this blog, as BermudaSucks has done. But I'm not a big fan of forums. While they do allow anyone to start a discussion, I find it difficult to keep abreast of all of the new comments and the interesting stuff is often drowned out by the noise.

So instead, I'm replacing the open mikes with an open-ended invitation to if you have something to say about a Bermuda-related topic. If I think what you have to say is interesting, I'll post your thoughts up on the site (think Slashdot). I will post your opinions anonymously if you wish, and there's no need to write an essay. Think of your email to me as the first comment on an open mike.

To increase the chance of your thoughts being published, be interesting and thought-provoking. Offer a new perspective on an old subject, or information about which readers of this site may be unaware. Don't write about a subject that has already been covered in a recent post. Express yourself clearly and avoid spelling and grammatical errors. If I don't publish your message I may email you back to explain why, or I may not. Either way, please don't take it personally.

This should give you more freedom to start topics, while ensuring the signal-to-noise ratio remains high.

Comments

[Denis Pitcher on 19.01.06 at 11:49]

Limey,

Part of the issue I've encountered with posting on this site is that you police it.

When I wrote my own article for your site you removed a couple of my posts in the comments suggesting that they were deviating from the subject of the article.

Considering I had been the one to originally write the article I was quite taken aback from this and have stepped back from submitting anything since.

If you want to grow contributions to this site then perhaps you should take more of a freedom of speech stance and let people be free to speak their mind and put up a disclaimer that you cannot stop others from expressing their views.

What you should also consider is a switch to a blogging solution that allows multiple posters with the main page being simply a showcase of new posts.

An example would be: www.geekswithblogs.com It sources a variety of blogs that all link to the same page. I would certainly be willing ot help you set this up or migrate to a platform that could support it.

[The Limey on 19.01.06 at 13:34]

Denis

Thanks for your offer and for your candour.

Perhaps I should have made it clearer that the rules of engagement apply to all posts, including those written by guests such as yourself. If I feel comments are deviating too far from the original topic, I remove them.

In your case, the comments that I removed were discussing the political party that you were starting and the wiki you created to gather ideas, not the subject of your post (how to force a referendum on independence). I stand by my decision to remove them.

As I've said before, I consider freedom of speech secondary to keeping the discussions on this site focused and respectful.

Nevertheless, I thought your last article was well written and I hope you'll reconsider your decision to step back from submitting anything else. Alternatively if you start posting more on your blog (or somewhere else with an RSS feed) I will happily link it into the 'More local opinion' section in my sidebar.

[SmokingGun on 19.01.06 at 14:17]

Limey - I took a look over at the Bermuda Free Speech Forum awhile back and "copied" an amusing post relating to ALIB winning an award which I re-posted here. I figured if we weren't invited to the award ceremony then why not bring it to us. Apparently someone got a little upset as he thought someone was flip-flopping on his site. Au contraire, I was just paying a visit to enjoy the honour bestowed on your site. We've seen enough chowder-heads flip-flop through Limey-land and I certainly would'nt do that over there.

Whilst I was there I noticed the format was pretty hap-hazard and difficult to manuevre through. Not saying that there wasn't some interesting points being made. Your site is well laid out and easy for people to follow/discuss. I tried to get a Yahoo Address so I could post on BFS and let the upset individual know he had nothing to fear but the site manager, the wiseone, insisted I needed to send an email revealing my true identity. Which I'm not prepared to do. Wouldn't be wise now would it?

Which led to wonder, do you know all our true identities? If so would you be willing to gaurantee that you will never reveal them should we request it?

[Denis Pitcher on 19.01.06 at 17:21]

Limey,

Actually, the comments you removed that I'm referring to were in reference to Tony Brannon's claim of giving $100 to anyone who would support an ad in the gazette summarizing our governments failures.

When I called him on it and suggested a site people could visit to track to progress of the project you removed my comment.

You made no motion to remove my ads for my website and party as you suggest. In fact, they are still there.

I don't hold it against you as certainly you would likely take flak from government for letting such a statement carry forward. Our people and government are hard enough on you as is as true freedom of speech doesn't exist here.

I just am tired of the control the people in power put over the average Bermudian. I'm tired of being stifled as a young Bermudian just trying to get ahead. I'm tired of hearing my friends talk about having given up on a future here and saving money so they can move somewhere else.

I'm tired of it all, and rather then complain I'm doing something about it. All I want is our government to be accountable and stop playing the race card over and over. All it does is divide our people more.

Here's a question for you.

If I wrote an article on the topic of submitting an ad summarizing governments initatives over the last 8 years and asking for funding support. Would you post it?

[Phil on 19.01.06 at 17:52]

SmokingGun

I know the identities of some of the people who post here anonymously, but only because they have chosen to reveal them to me.

I will guarantee to protect the identity of any contributor who asks me to do so.

Denis

I stand corrected. However, the comments to which you refer didn't have much to do with the topic of your article either. As I've made clear numerous times before, no matter how worthy a comment is, if I think it's off-topic it's likely to be removed. I don't remove comments because I'm worried about catching flak from the government (unless those comments are libellous).

If I wrote an article on the topic of submitting an ad summarizing governments initatives over the last 8 years and asking for funding support. Would you post it?

I don't guarantee to publish any article until I've seen it. However, in this case, the article you propose sounds like it would be more suited to a one paragraph appeal for help. If you drop me an email with the details I'll certainly consider posting it.

[SmokingGun on 19.01.06 at 18:16]

Thanks Limey. I for one hereby do ask that you guarantee to protect my identity should I decide to start communicating with you on a direct basis either through or outside of a Limey in Bermuda.

[Denis Pitcher on 19.01.06 at 20:28]

Limey,

Thanks for the followup, I appreciate knowing a bit more about the situation.

I do agree with you that my comments were off topic. I believe I took it the way I did as you had removed my comments but left others referencing the same issue so I assumed it was more linked to not wanting to piss off government. I didn't take offense to it, just felt like I would have preferred more notice.

I think it'd be more appreciated if you were able to notify the poster when they're comments are edited or removed as going back later and seeing it simply gone is somewhat off-putting.

I certainly will try to do more to contribute to your site when I can. As for the article, it would likely be one of the length you typically request that summarizes what I've put together in terms of projects that government has taken on, and an update of their status. It would also include both positive and negative achievements as it is not fair to our leaders who dedicate their time and energy to doing a job few would to only criticise and not also commend jobs well done.

As for your lack of success with getting people to contribute content. Unfortunately I know others may share my own personal reluctance in regards to the negative stigma your site has amongst blacks and those who have a negative view of ex-pats.

Many sadly associate your site with the expats that they blame for things being so hard on them in Bermuda. It's just too bad that most don't stop to remember that all Bermudians are inherently immigrants or decendants of immigrants. Using the arguement of being born here is a cop-out because there are many ex-pat children born on this island who are denyed the right to citizenship.

I kind of wish more Bermudians would get over themselves and go see the rest of the world to realise how good we've truly got it. Especially when some believe they'd rather throw it away and we'd be better off. It's clear they've never truly visited some impoverish nations.

They should also consider that many expats only dream of living in the paradise that we get to enjoy every day. We should be more willing to share and cooperate with those who bring wealth to our country as without it Bermuda would be a very different place and likely alot worse off then better.

Sorry if that goes off topic a bit.

SmokingGun,

It's quite amazing your so concerned about your own privacy, though understandable. Bermuda is too small a place and there are too many people who judge rather then accept. I doubt Limey will expose you as he has little to gain from doing so.

It is truly unfortunate how people have to fear expressing their own opinions on this island out of the possibility of dealing with negative reprocussions.

I for one am truly grateful to Limey for being one of the few who will stand up and publically let his name as well as his opinion be known, whether or not I agree with it.

I just wish more Bermudians, especially those in government, were as willing to take such a stance through blog form or similar.

[SmokingGun on 19.01.06 at 20:55]

Denis - I have no fear of anything. I just enjoy having the ability to learn and debate and understand what so many great people have to say on such wide subjects that directly affect Bermuda and it's people. Why show my hand and start getting pre-judged? That would take the fun out it and to be honest I enjoy reading yours and others opinions.

People have a general idea of my make up and I try to show respect in my postings so nothing should come back to haunt me..... I hope!

Oh yeah, and my boss would be pissed if he found out I spent so much time worrying about Bermuda instead of my job...... :-O

[Bill Cook on 19.01.06 at 22:11]

Denis I admire your outlook and viewpoint and believe you are a growing power for the common good of all Bermudians and residents, regrettably there are too few with your candor and in my opinion honesty.

Smoke you are wise at this point in time in maintaining your anononymity and I speak from experience.

Once you are known you must expect to pay a price for expressing your opinions and in my case being vocal on radio with an instantly recognisable accent I get comments in many public places " youre that guy on the talk shows etc" if you enjoy attention thats fine but I and most people dont, plus if you have kids in school or your wife has a job in public eye etc it can be painful.

I would caution all those on a work permit never to use their own name never Bermuda is a truly bad place to do that and has caused some to lose their jobs.

[RedOnion on 19.01.06 at 23:05]

It really is sad that Mr Cook's advice re: persons with work permits is so true.
Although the work permit issue doesn't apply to me, I also feel it necessary due to my line of work to hide my identity, at least for now. My business is laregly based on people's perception of me as an individual, with no political lines, but it is so very easy to upset some people by expressing an opinion that I prefer to remain anonymous for now.

Denis, I admire you, I only wish that when I was younger I had the foresight and interest as you do. I only hope you don't lose the enthusiasm you now have and of course, as is the case with every succesful politician, you will have to develop a thick skin and not let the inevitable setbacks dissuade you from your task.

[Phil on 19.01.06 at 23:12]

Denis

I will readily admit that I often end up pulling down some comments and leaving others up that are just as off-topic. It's tough (and very time consuming) to be consistent, but I do try.

[SmokingGun on 20.01.06 at 12:48]

Bill/RedOnion - I know exactly what you mean. I enjoy a certain amount of anononymity offered on this site as I can have a little fun niggling a few players in Bermuda. I get enough exposure in the real world where I tend to be somewhat more reserved. It is most unfortunate that so many knowledgeable guests in Bermuda are shackled by their permits and treated as if they're only good from the neck down.

I guess our lessons are never learned.....