Seems there is controversy everywhere these days.  Whether it’s the Open Space issue which some people are still grumbling about or it’s IP rights and content theft or it’s the media’s portrayal of SL as a place of sex and gambling and all things evil, controversy is everywhere.  It seems we all find some hot topic to blather on about, throwing our opinions into the cyber wind and hoping for a reaction.

For some, they want to stir the pot, make people think and just maybe someone will DO something.  Others stir the pot just to do it.  Get everyone fired up and walk away watching the explosions from a safe distance.  Then there are those who will jump on the bandwagon as it goes by but would never lead the band.  I’ve got a favorite saying, *Lead, follow, or get the hell out of my way*. 

There are natural leaders and natural followers.  If you watch closely you can pick out which is which.  The natural follower is the support system, the cheerleader the one happy to hold the banner of the leader.  The natural leader speaks and people listen.  They go in a direction, people follow.  These are the people stirring the pots, creating the controversy.

Controversy isn’t always a bad thing.  In some cases, it’s necessary.  Think of all the changes in our lifetimes, name one that didn’t start as controversial.  Prad’s post yesterday about magazines is a perfect example.  He certainly stirred the pot but if the magazine community in SL uses it to take a step back and look at their own magazine to improve, then he’s helped to accomplish something.

Lands is also touching on some heavy subjects here .   These will not be popular subjects with a lot of people.  Let’s face it, none of us like having it pointed out that we are doing something wrong.  Especially when we know deep down that we are doing something wrong.  I’ll leave the debate of that topic to her.  I’m just as guilty as everyone else of *downloading* and I’m not going to justify it or excuse it because in actuality, I can’t. 

I think good honest debate is a good thing.  Keeps us thinking and reasonning, questionning and searching for answers.

The one thing I’d like to see more of though, less backstabbing among bloggers.  Perhaps the fashion blogosphere is saturated and now everyone is kicking and scratching to keep their corner of the world.  Maybe it’s because designers are sending their review copies to EVERY blogger.  I just know that I don’t like to see one blogger trashing another on their blog.  It may make you feel better but think about your readers.  What image are you presenting to them, that you are happy to trash someone else so openly, so publicly?  Why should I read your blog if that is how you handle conflict?  I don’t like it and I’ll take a guess that a lot of other people don’t either.

Tags: bloggers, controversy, landsend korobase, prad prathivi