“Don’t Make It Painful”

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
-Proverbs 12:18

An online discussion is like a party or a game. People come because they want to have fun, grow, and learn about others. It takes courage to put oneself out there. It is a risk to one’s pride. That is the cost of playing.

Try to keep the entry cost low.

Otherwise people won’t want to play. Your words will either bring people in or push them out. If you want your ideas to be heard, you can’t push people away.

In my recent survey thirty friends described their online reading patterns.

For writers, this is incredibly helpful. I plan to spend some time learning from each of these Christian resources.

“Don’t Make It Personal”

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding remains silent.”
-Proverbs 11:12

In the last post we looked at the question: “How can I be more mature when I talk to people online?”

The answer in summary—Don’t make it personal, painful, demanding, or rude. Today the first point—Don’t make it personal.

Forums are for critiquing thoughts, not thinkers.