Anonymous Comments, Social Agendas, and Karma

Ever read a news story online, then scroll down into the comment section to see that the writer's point in the story had then been totally hijacked by people making comments?  Well, it happens, and now it's happened to me.

This is a blog about gardening.  Nothing controversial; just gardening.  Waaaay back in 2011, I found and bought a cool new gardening tool.  I was
stoked about this tool, and I wrote a super quick, 2-paragraph post about it.  Included a picture of it.  No big...but I did mention the store where I'd purchased it.  This was a huge mistake.

Soon after I posted about this tool, a comment was made about the store where this tool was purchased. The person making the comment informed me and anyone reading this blog about the social goals of the store where I bought the tool.  Again, this was back in 2011.  To be honest, I was excited that someone, anyone, was actually reading my posts.  I remember debating about deleting the comment, but in the end I just left it there and didn't say anything.

My feeling is that every establishment where you choose to spend your dollars has a social goal or agenda. Some include those goals in a mission statement, or they fulfill their agenda in more covert means through their hiring practices, merchandise selection, advertising, or location, everyplace, even big retail chains, has a social agenda.  Take a look at the philantropic giving of any major national retailer.  I'll bet you find something that makes you go "Hmmm."  You know why?  Because the only person who is ever going to agree with all of your personal opinions looks at you in the mirror.  I know it's true for me.

Starbucks gave 5 million dollars to improve education in China.  I'm a big fan of capitalism and free-market economies, so this support of a communist country files in the face of my opinions.  However, when my wife asks me to pick up a Chai Latte for her, I gladly oblige her and give Starbucks my money in return for a product.  You know why this doesn't bother me?  1. I didn't make a donation.  I paid money for a product I wanted.  2.  No matter what, I can't control what they do with their money.  That's on them, not on me.  

That was a bit of a rant...anyway, here's where thing got interesting and scary.  On December 30, 2013, (2 days ago) another Anonymous comment was made on my post about the tool I bought from back in 2011.  This person obviously knew me, because they knew where I worked.  They obviously equated my purchase of a used antique tool for $3 with support for the social agenda of the store where I bought it, because they told me that I should quit my job and no longer be associated with my workplace.  

So, I've learned a few things from this experience:

First - be careful what you put on the internet.  By naming the store where I made my purchase, I opened myself up to be judged by others.  Thankfully, I've got really thick skin about things like this.  I deleted the New Tool post, and I will be a bit more guarded about things in the future.  I've got nothing to hide, but I'm not interested in being anyone's punching bag.  Especially about crap that doesn't matter to me.

Second - I'm not anonymous on this blog.  I don't hide who I am.  Heck, my blog is called "The Givler Garden."  So, if you want to comment on my posts, you can't be anonymous anymore.  I'd originally allowed anonymous commenting just to remove the hassle making people log in to post a comment.  That was a mistake which has now been remedied.

Last - I try to live my life by the Golden Rule, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.." (KJV, Matthew 7:12).  Treat others as you want them to treat you.  I also believe in karma...what goes around comes around.  Perhaps in the past I judged someone unfairly.  If so, I apologize for the wrong I did to you.