Facebook Etiquette

Welcome to my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/christhadcollins

I want to keep things lively and interesting and intellectual. To that end, here are a few simple ‘rules’ to keep in mind. There are no concrete consequences to violating these rules. I rarely block or unfriend people, and I almost never delete Facebook material once it is posted. I just want you to keep these guidelines in mind when you post on my page. 

1.

I love honest posts, even posts that are a little rough around the edges. But please don’t write  anything snarky (or sarcastic or abrasive) on my Facebook threads. There is already enough stress in the world, let’s avoid that here.

2.

Short and sweet. Please don’t write two-page long posts on my Facebook threads. Facebook is not a great medium for that kind of response. I prefer shorter insightful posts (e.g., one or two short paragraphs). If you have something longer to say, feel free write me an e-mail message (cc116@nyu.edu). I would be happy to correspond with you.

3.

If we disagree, that is OK. Intellectual engagement is great. And people are passionate about their ideas, which leads to a healthy dialectic. But let’s keep it courteous and friendly!

4.

Please don’t repeat some comment three or four times if you think I have not understood it. Repeating the same comment with slightly different wording and from slightly different angles is not going to make me agree with you. If I don’t respond, or if we just happen to disagree, please accept that and move on.

5.

When you post on my thread, please stay reasonably close to the original spirt of the thread. If you have another topic to discuss, you can post on your own page. You can even give the link to your thread in my thread. For example, if I start a thread about LLMs and generative syntax, do not start to post about how evil OpenAI is. That would be a different topic.

6.

Facebook is not the venue for every sort of act of communication. Please take that into account, when you decide to respond to one of my threads. There are many other ways that two people can communicate: in-person, phone, Zoom and e-mail. In some instances, one of the other modalities might be more appropriate.

7.

If you have a personal grievance (e.g., I have offended you, or I have not cited you), please do not air that grievance on Facebook. Facebook is not the venue for that sort of thing. Rather, let’s talk about it in-person or on the phone, and try to work things out privately without the whole world looking on.