Ten Blogging Commandments

NPR had a story about Christian bloggers coming up with "10 Blogging Commandments." Apparently, strong views expressed online about religious issues prompted a discussion that led to the commandments. Certainly, the cultural property world is also filled with strong opinions (including some expressed on this blog). With that in mind, and in the spirit of the season, I thought it might be useful to post the 10 Blogging Commandments. They are probably worth thinking about, particularly before making a post on a subject one feels particularly strongly about:

1. You shall not put your blog before your integrity.

2. You shall not make an idol of your blog.

3. You shall not misuse your screen name by using your anonymity to sin.

4. Remember the Sabbath day by taking one day off a week from your blog.

5. Honour your fellow-bloggers above yourselves and do not give undue significance to their mistakes.

6. You shall not murder someone else’s honour, reputation or feelings.

7. You shall not use the web to commit or permit adultery in your mind.

8. You shall not steal another person’s content.

9. You shall not give false testimony against your fellow-blogger.

10. You shall not covet your neighbour's blog ranking. Be content with your own content.

For more, see: http://www.eauk.org/articles/blogging-ten.cfm

According to the "Evangelical Alliance" which is responsible for the list,

Ten cyberspace commandments are to be posted online to give bloggers a moral edge in a virtual age.

Based loosely on the real Ten Commandments from the Old Testament, the revamped version for guidance in online communication emerged from an event reflecting on the ethics of today’s most popular form of public comment.

The commandments are intended to cause bloggers to consider the social impact of their blogging.