A musician posted a controversial micro-blog.
After resisting the housing demolition attempt of the local government in his hometown, a Chinese rock musician posted a micro-blog saying, "I checked the micro-blogs of certain people on my first day back in Beijing, and blacklisted those who did not show any support (for my resistance). You have no principles or judgments, and do not deserve respect. I despise you from the bottom of my heart!"
This micro-blog has annoyed many netizens, and quickly received replies mixed with vituperation such as "I has neither followed you nor forwarded your posts, and will keep you at a distance." Predictably, it triggered a bitter squabble between the musician's supporters and opponents.
Later, the musician realized the problem with the controversial micro-blog, and apologized, "What I said this morning was rude but true, just like myself. That micro-blog is only for friends, and it is really inappropriate to satirize people that way in a micro-blog. I am sorry for the misunderstanding."
It is no exaggeration to say that micro-blogging has changed many aspects of our lives, and is more than just a social interaction platform. Many people consider it to be promising "we-media," and expect it to compete with the traditional media. With few external constraints, the convenient Internet, and hundreds of millions of users, micro-blogging has quickly become a force to be reckoned with.
It is the growing transmissibility and influence of micro-blogging that has weakened its role as a private social interaction platform. When micro-blog users make efforts to increase the number of their followers, their micro-blogs are not just "we-media," but also public media. What they say in their micro-blogs are not private words, but public messages. People cannot control the transmission scope and influence of their micro-blogs, but have to be responsible for possible consequences caused by those micro-blogs. One can curse others bitterly at home, but will be charged with slander for doing the same in public.
People can vent their anger or other feelings through micro-blogging, but must abide by the rules for the public media. Just because it is "we-media" does not mean all satire is appropriate. Just like the musician said, "That micro-blog is only for friends," and it is "really inappropriate" to say that in a micro-blog. Few constraints do not mean people can say whatever they want. We oppose putting people in prison just because of their words, and consider the freedom of speech to be an inviolable right. However, there is no absolute freedom in the world. Free speech also has its boundary and bottom line. Public remarks should not violate the law or others' rights.
Due to the ecology of Internet public opinion, micro-bloggers often encounter "reverse elimination" – the calmer people appear, the more likely they will be ignored, while the more extreme they appear, the more attention they will get. Therefore, micro-bloggers often find themselves besieged by extreme views, impulse, and unreasonable abreaction. They thought micro-blogging could serve as a good platform for social interaction and communication, but it turns out that there are too many unreasonable people on the platform.
To be honest, Chinese society is still not used to tolerating different opinions and values. During some debates on micro-blogging sites, the two sides are actually only talking to themselves without listening to each other at all. What they want is not consensus, but defeating each other regardless of whether it is right or wrong or in line with the facts. There is no absolute consensus. More often than not, what we need is not common understanding, but tolerance and respect for different views.
A consensus is often a compromise that is acceptable to all parties concerned. Everyone has the right to express his or her opinions, and cannot always be right. Therefore, people should have enough patience and tolerance to listen to different views, even ridiculous views that are not worth refuting.
Micro-blogosphere is the epitome of today's China as it demonstrates disputes and conflict, social mentality, and Chinese citizens' character. Many people are glad to see the rise of micro-blogging, but what should it bring us? It is certainly not rampant anger, slander, inappropriate satire, irresponsible forwarding, or supporting one side regardless of whether it is right or wrong.
Source:China Youth Daily , author: Feng Xuemei.
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