When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.
Wayne Dyer
My husband is not a very patient man whenever I ask questions concerning politics. He always tells me to read the news report or the Opinion Columns. Sipping coffee and feasting on my heaviest meal of the day is never complete without reading a newspaper. Another daily routine is reading Filipino Voices (FV) usually during lunch or dinner time. You can say, that newspapers are my breakfast fare while Filipino Voices, my dessert.
I like to enrich myself with varied opinions when it comes to the current events, politics and national issues that are not normally found in the newspaper. The thing is Filipino Voices are composed of bloggers from all walks of life. When I first read the entries of the FV bloggers, it never entered my mind to check on their credentials. I simply read their blog entries and if I have something to contribute, I comment. If I had nothing to contribute, I just move on to the next entry and so on and so forth.
I have met some of Filipino Voices’ prolific bloggers (like Benj Espina, Carlo ““Wauks” Ople, Ding Gagelonia, Arbet W. Bernardo, Flow Galindez, jester-in-exile, Jon Limjap, Lester Galvez Cavestany, Marocharim, Martin Benedict Perez, Patricio Mangubat , Dean Bocobo, Sparks and Nick, the Editor NOT Chief) in social events. Of course, my smart and handsome husband 24/7! In one occasion, I enjoyed hearing some of them talk, argue and discuss even if my jaw is dropping to the ground or I am experiencing a “nose bleed”. Despite the diversity of opinions, I enjoy their company and the arguments. I don’t also agree with some of these bloggers. We all agree to disagree, right?
I try to make it a point to get to know the person behind the blogs, whether online or offline. The more I know the person, in whatever limited capacity, the more I feel comfortable with their opinion or ideas on their entries. I don’t claim to know that blogger. Whether I agree or not with that blogger, I built a foundation of respect for them.
Of course, I have yet to meet the famous Benign0 who uses a monicker but even if he is sometimes annoying, I still enjoy his “out-of-the-box” way of thinking.
The issue of credibility is 5 days old with over 200 comments. The question is about credentials of the FV bloggers. But really, are credentials or the show of one’s Curriculum Vitae really necessary? If a blog is not credible, I will just leave and hop happily on to another blog. If they don’t like Filipino Voices, they might just as well stop reading the blog and create their own version of the “Filipino Voices”.
You are essentially what you write and will be judged accordingly by your readers, the blog’s community. One’s educational attainment and the show of credentials are not necessary for opinion or personal blogs. I feel it is optional. That option is left to the blogger’s discretion in their own blogs but for Filipino Voices, I don’t think posting their credentials is essential to a blog’s credibility. It might be necessary for blogs that deal with academic discourse, basic sciences, math or medicine.
A blogger once opined that I don’t have credibility but do I care? No, because that blogger is not in my community. The blogger’s perception on my questionable credibility is real for that blogger. I may not be credible to that blogger but my community of readers think I am. Why do you think they want to read my blog? Why do they subscribe to my feed?
The basic equation is really:
Perceived Trustworthiness + Perceived Expertise = Perceived Credibility
What is credible to one person can be seen as questionable to another. It is all a matter of perception.
Instead of wasting one’s energies on questioning a blog’s credibility, one should look inward and start focusing on improving themselves, their blog or if one doesn’t have one, start a blog today.
A commenter once told me that I am a “trying hard blogger”.
My reply:
Yes, you are right. I am trying hard to be a better blogger. Thanks for reminding me.
I received my fair share of critics on some of my blog entries but instead of sticking to the issues, they drag family members, friends or my affiliation to their litany of woes. The same thing is happening to FV. It started with a personal issue against one or two FV bloggers then escalated to a demand of credentials. Criticisms and negative feedback just drive me to do even better. I made mistakes in the past and learned from it. Despite this latest issue on credibility, I believe Filipino Voices will continue to become even better than ever.
Let’s just continue to improve not only our blogs but ourselves including our mental and emotional health. Develop healthy tolerance of each other. I agree with a comment from that same entry which says that
Easterly Credentialing Process 🙂 Health is your only Wealth, a criteria.
Emotional Health is a hidden criteria. Healthy individuals have a great relationship with themselves. they recognize their best traits and know that they are of great value to themselves as well as to others and the online community they serve. But superficial measuring tools such as ““the needs for academic credentials” coming from outside of themselves cannot sway their self-worth. In short, they are true to themselves, despite what they perceive other people may want for them. They know that no one can give them significant meaning simply by writing in a way that pleases another person to their own detriment.
emotional health = self worth = acceptance of people with or without credentials.
It’s time to let this issue go.
Excuse me, while I move on to my dessert.
