Opinions and the People Who Have Them
By: Rebo Valence
I was compelled to write this lemure after reading Cherry's article
about
opinions on websites. I must say that I completely disagree that the
opinions of the webmaster do not belong on their website. While it
does
depend on the type of site and where they show up on the site, opinions
are
really what drives websites in the first place.
Where do opinions belong? In their own sections. Certainly, a
profile
for Sailor Mars should not read "Rei is a total *bleep* and she's the
worst
Senshi! What does she dye her hair with, Kool-Aid?" That's mixing
fact with
opinion. However, clearly marked opinions at the end of the page are
certainly welcome, or even an entire portion of your site dedicated to
your
thoughts on the show. Mind you, the above statement does invite
flames, and
if you do write opinions at the end, you would be well-advised to mark
them
as your own and think them out. But that's another Lemure, and in
fact,
that's also my opinion (See, it works!)
In truth, why do we put up a website in the first place? It may
serve to
inform, but there's another reason-You want to tell the world just what
you
think about this show. There's thousands of Sailor Moon websites on
the
Internet! How else can one possibly keep their site fresh without
mixing in
their own thoughts on the show? After all, the characters histories
and
facts don't change (Or rather, SHOULDN'T change). What does change?
Your
thoughts. I may say that Usagi acts like her brains were replaced with
freeze-dried peas at birth, but you may believe that Usagi is a very
competent individual who might even be smarter than Ami if she applied
herself. It's unique viewpoints and arguments that keep websites
fresh,
because they let you see an opinion that's different from your own.
Even if
you still disagree, you must agree that you have learned something.
Finally, on the issue of flames, let's be honest-People who flame
have
nothing better to do. Cursing flames and especially threatening flames
aimed
at someone who, say, thinks that Luna is cooler than Artemis, are from
people
who are so opinionated that they can't see beyond their own viewpoints
anyway. You take the risk of this every time you state any viewpoint
of your
own. You shouldn't be afraid that what you say about Kaolinite's dress
is
going to get you ostracized. Tact, of course, is of the essence when
you
state an opinion ("Kaolinite's dress is far too revealing" as opposed
to
"Kaolinite dresses like a slut"). It's your opinion, right? Of course
not
everyone agrees with it! If everyone made sure they never said
anything that
might differ from other thoughts, this would be a downright boring
planet.
Opinions basically define the entire reason why people use the
Internet
anyway-To post their thoughts about whatever they can think of for all
the
world to see. And besides, if you don't like what someone is saying on
the
net, you can always move on. Such as this Lemure. If you think that
I'm
completely full of Daimon Goo, then you have every right to tell me.
That's
what free-thought is about, right?
P.S.: The above mentioned comments do not necessarily represent my
views on
Senshi or villains...they are just examples.
AGH! Rei-chan, not the fire!
Not the...AHHHHHH!
*roast*
Comments on this article can be sent to: Rebo Valence.
Comments made on this page are opinions of the author.
They are not necessarily shared by Tripod and the Amazoness Quartet.
