So, about blogging. Doubtless you’re aware of the recent Code of Conduct kerfluffle? Brief summary: Prominent tech blogger Kathy Sierra receives sexualized death threats from anonymous commenters at other blogs, evidently with the approval of the blogs’ owners. Tim O’Reilly and Jimmy Wales respond to the situation by calling for a Blogger’s Code of Conduct (see also O’Reilly’s further thoughts) that bloggers would adhere to, proudly displaying a badge to indicate their compliance. The Code is well-intentioned, but it’s got problems, and quite a few bloggers have objected. To wit, A) this wouldn’t have prevented the damage to Sierra’s career and emotional (and physical had the stalkers followed through) well-being, B) anonymity should not be disallowed wholesale, as it’s not the problem, and C) the rest of us are adults, thank you, don’t try to use your steenkeeng badges to enforce your idea of “appropriate etiquette” on our blogs. (See also O’Reilly acknowledging said objections.)

(Another blogger reacted by calling Sierra a whiner who should have stayed out of the kitchen if she couldn’t take the heat of being a controversial blogger. However, he admitted to knowing very little about the situation. Pandagon and Bitch Ph.D. have some choice words for bloggers who would shoot their mouths off about situations they know very little about.)

As usual, one of the places that has responded with a lot of wisdom is Making Light, wherein Teresa Nielsen Hayden opines at length as to how to maintain a thriving blog community wherein the nasty stuff doesn’t happen. No Code of Conduct or steenkeeng badges necessary. What’s required is simply a blogger who is willing to moderate his/her own comment threads. To wit:

• Participate in the comment thread.
• Delete comments from trolls, spammers and other nasties.
• Especially before their behavior can embolden other nasties (cf. “dogpile“).
• Despite that the nasties will howl that you are “censoring” them.
• Otherwise you will be seen as granting the nasties your approval, and you don’t want that.

Your blog, your party, your rules. If trolls whine that “you simply can’t handle dissent,” ignore them. You know the difference between useful Devils’ Advocacy and destructive ugliness that masquerades as such. You know the difference between being unafraid to discuss non-PC subjects and being a jerk using the “I don’t do PC” line to defend being a jerk. You know it ain’t a U.S. First Amendment issue. Your blog, your choice, your responsibility.

That said, it can be hard for some to take this advice to heart. Assertive moderators do not spring fully developed from the head of Zeus. It’s a skill that takes practice. Sometimes you just don’t feel right hitting that “delete” button, or telling off that otherwise valuable community member who flew off the handle, until someone you respect gives you permission.

Teresa knows about the magic power of permission. She uses it every year at Viable Paradise when fledgling writers express reluctance to produce less than perfect first drafts or trepidation in creating plots they wouldn’t want their grandparents to read. She’s come to the rescue again. Behold!

You now have permission.

Go forth and tolerate trolls no more.

And as for death threats, those can be serious. If you’re a blogger, delete such posts and report the originating IP addresses to the police. Don’t be the reason a bully or a predator feels empowered to terrorize others. And if you’re just another schmoe passing through, don’t be afraid to speak out against anyone posting such threats–and any blogger who gives the threats their tacit approval.