Dear S

merlin:

Thing is: the internet’s made of IP addresses, opinions, and assholes. It’s what’s there. That’s the basic equipment.

A short course on surviving the web:

1. Everything’s amplified. Except subtlety.
2. Say things you believe are true.
3. No one understands; no one cares.
4. Never explain yourself.
5. Apologize less; think more.
6. Avatars aren’t people; people aren’t avatars; “friends” aren’t friends.
7. Everyone thinks you’re talking to them. Seriously.
8. Distinguish attacks against people from attacks against one person.
9. Assume everyone is alone, drunk, and a little heavier than they’d like.
10. Never argue in public. Fucking never.
11. When in doubt, take it offline.
12. Filter, filter.
13. Embrace “hypocrisy.” It drives critics crazy.
14. Remember who your (real) friends are.
15. Remember who you are.
16. Remember you can always stop. Anything. Any time.
17. Never make lists of rules.

Seth’s Blog: How to lose an argument online

Tog: How to Achieve Painless Registration