One of the greatest things about social media, and Mixx in particular in my opinion is the diversity of the community. People sharing links and discussing these stories sharing personal views and opinions. And lets face it, not everyone is going to share the same opinion on everything, and I like that.

I have my opinions on many topics ranging from politics to technology to music and many topics in between. But while I have these opinions, I am still always open to hearing different views from others. These opinions and views often times enhance my understanding or my knowledge, or simply give me something to think about.

Simply put we as the community should embrace these opinions even if they differ from others. Now I’m not saying we have to agree with them, but at the same time we shouldn’t attack the user for his or her opinion. If you feel you must respond, take a step back and reply to the comment itself. Write your rebuttal and counter-argument responding to the comment, but be careful not to attack the user.

If I were a new user coming into a site like Mixx and commented on a story only to be called an idiot or a moron, I can’t say I’d take it very well. It would definitely give me a bad vibe not only about the user who called me an idiot, but about the community itself. I would feel like it was a close-minded site that was not very welcoming. So much so that I may not even come back. But if I were to do the same thing and a user replied with something like “I’m afraid I have to disagree with you, because…” I wouldn’t get the same vibe. Sure, they didn’t agree with me, but they didn’t take it out on me as a person. Obviously this is a prettied up and probably exaggerated example, but it still proves the point. Obviously comments that are racist, sexist or generally offensive should be reported as such. Comments like those go beyond reasonable opinions.

Now of course in many social media sites, much like forums, you run into the occasional troll. Trolls are for the majority of people a thorn in the side, someone who derives pleasure from pretty much just being an asshole. They like to stir up controversy and emotional responses from people. These folks tend to be needed to be handled in a different manner. The best manner of course is to simply ignore them, as hard as it is to do. I know I’ve been guilty of “feeding the trolls” now and again, but the best is still to just ignore them. Going after trolls for the most part gets you nowhere and an outsider looking on could get the wrong idea about Mixx if they were to see the comment thread as most of the time the person going up against the troll may look just as bad as the troll from an outsider’s point of view. Its always tempting to many, but sometimes simply clicking the back button or scrolling past it is the best way.

So come on everyone, continue to be a welcoming bunch and be considerate in your dealings with others, be it a new user, or one who’s been around for a while, don’t attack the person behind the comment, rather just be the bigger man and act as such. Mixx has such a great community, we should be careful not to ruin it or its reputation.

Presented by Greg Davies (cGt2099 from The-TrukstoP.com), Jay Fowler (SilentJay74 from JuicySnake.com), Brian Hill (Bdog2g2 from MixxingBowl.com), and Reem Abeidoh (Nomadelle from ReemAbeidoh.com), the Social Blend examines the latest news and opinions hitting the world of social media.  The main focus of the show is on Mixx.com, yet focuses on other sites and contenders in the social media field. 

26 episodes of Social Blend; who would have thought we would have made it this far down the road.  Join us for our special episode as we’re accompanied with Brian and Tamar!  Also, Chris McGill joins us to make the special announcement: Mixx Communities!

Our User Focus is Flap this week – and as usual we talk of some Comments of the Week and jump into the Mixx Lounge. 

Social Blend and Mixx News

Introducing Mixx Communities
http://www.mixx.com/stories/466452/new_mixx_communities

Mixx gets serious about Community Building
http://www.mixx.com/stories/463613/mixx_gets_serious_about_community_building

Stories of the Week

Muslim woman demands an apology from Obama after camera snub
http://www.mixx.com/stories/435333/muslim_woman_demands_an_apology_from_obama_after_camera_snub

Kellogg’s, LEGO team up to train kids to choke
http://www.mixx.com/stories/435304/kellogg_s_lego_team_up_to_train_kids_to_choke

When contextual advertising goes horribly wrong
http://www.mixx.com/stories/435343/when_contextual_advertising_goes_horribly_wrong_mashable

Why you should carry a Digital Camera at all times
http://www.mixx.com/photos/416923/why_you_should_carry_a_digital_camera_at_all_times

‘Leet’ (1337) is language of the Internet generation
http://www.mixx.com/stories/466736/_leet_is_language_of_the_internet_generation_napa_valley_registe

Misunderstood Sex Speed Art Drawings
http://www.mixx.com/videos/429695/misunderstood_sex_speed_art_drawings

User Focus
Flap
http://www.mixx.com/users/flap

The Mixx Lounge
http://www.mixx.com/lounge

The Social Blend Mixx Group
Post stories you’d love to see discussed on Social Blend.  Reem chooses a new article with each new episode
http://www.mixx.com/groups/socialblend

Greg’s Mail Sack
Send your hate mail to:
socialblend@gmail.com
Or
cGt2099@sbcglobal.net

Music Credits
Music by Corey Hodgetts / West of October
http://www.myspace.com/coreyhodgetts
http://www.myspace.com/westofoctoberband