“Anyone who believes they can evaluate a person’s mental or spiritual condition on the basis of their blog entries, comments, and news group postings needs to turn off their monitor, push back from their keyboard, and take a nice long walk.”
http://www.xmlhead.com/dftfh/2005/11/24/nicholsons-iron-clad-laws-of-blogging/#comments
In other words, if Frank Turk had praised the iMonk as a levelheaded guy of great spiritual maturity and doctrinal discernment on the basis of his blog entries, Mr. Turk would still have been inundated by 100+ angry comments.
“It is an honor to be disparaged by small-minded people.”
Frank, you need to remember this maximum the next time the Tavernistas disparage your honorable efforts.
P.S. Keep in mind that Nicholson's iron-clad laws have no "intrinsic" authority, but are only authoritative if and when the Heilige Barth-Geist applies them to our heart, or whenever we suffer from heartburn--whichever comes first.
“Anyone who believes they can evaluate a person’s mental or spiritual condition on the basis of their blog entries, comments, and news group postings needs to turn off their monitor, push back from their keyboard, and take a nice long walk.”
ReplyDeleteWell, the anonymity of the keyboard does tend to allow more of the "snark" then would be found if you're in a real face to face exchange. But it seems to me you can make some fairly accurate guesses as to mental status, or at least tendencies based upon a fair number of posts plus the response to posts pointing out one's flaws. (My mother rightfully insists I have none). Other than that leave the diagnosing to the professionals? Hmm, I'm not sure that's a good idea either.