The thing is, even well thought out pieces disappear for reasons of purging the record, not just spur of the moment comments, which are arguably better off being deleted. The internet in my experience encourages depersonalization of interaction and stating things that one would never say to a person’s face. Like that guy Smith in the other blog being rude and resorting to name calling. He would not likely do that in person, and if he did, the conversation would be over very quickly. The rules of engagement become lax on the internet and depersonalized. I think there is room to delete that sort of nonsense for the benefit of everyone’s sanity.

Better to not remove all doubt, that is my blogging motto. It is probably also why my traffic is pretty low.

Blogs to me are like a vapor . . . they are certainly helpful as far as exposure (sometimes not helpful); but I don’t see them representing substantial pieces of research, usually. I think blogging is good for “suggestions;” and for that I appreciate it!

Keep up the good suggestions!

As for blogging, I try to let a polemical post cool off for at least a few hours before revision and publishing. I’ve also found that deleting posts is a good way to debase my pride.