The Rules of Engagement - A Reminder

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I tweeted this quote yesterday and it's so on target for things lately.  It deserves to be expanded into its own post.

              "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people"
                                                                                           Eleanor Roosevelt

Aren't we getting tired of the non-stop character assassinations that seem to plague the topic of conversations lately? Back in the 80's I was one of the big supporters making sure published images always credited the photographer, when ASMP was working hard to get everybody on point.  So, I'm a huge fan of supporting photographers' rights, but honestly, I'm not interested in the non-stop barrage of people who think they've earned the right to comment on every personal challenge that seems to make it into the grapevine. I think we're also weary of people who just finished reading the "Troll Manual" and think they have a right to go on the attack, because they don't like something somebody said in a forum, an image or a question somebody asked.

I'd love to get everyone's grandmother on the program with a non-stop reminder of something we were all told as kids..."If you don't have something nice to say about somebody, keep your mouth shut!" 
We just need to agree on a very simple Rules of Engagement...

• Don't talk behind somebody's back.

• Don't spread rumors.

• When you hear a rumor, contact the party who's the subject and ask what's going on. Pretty simple - just be up front.

• Write as if the person you need to talk about was standing next you...and stop hiding behind the anonymity of your computer screen.

Most important of all, let's follow Eleanor Roosevelt's advice and talk about ideas and events. Technology is constantly changing the way we do everything, especially imaging. Let's focus on the amazing opportunities we've all got to make this a stronger industry and stop shredding people!

I don't usually quote Queen Latifah, but I got a kick out of this quote. I guess it's just a matter of your priorities:

A lot of people are crazy, cruel and negative. They got a little too much time on their hands to discuss everybody else. I have a limited amount of energy to blow in a day. I'd rather read something that I like or watch a program I enjoy
or ride my damn motorcycle or throw back a couple of shots of tequila with my friends.