It always has stuck me as weird when people request a rather specific kind of etiquette on following a blog.

There’s the small stuff, like “don’t reblog read-mores.” That makes sense if you tend to put extremely private stuff behind a read-more. Which is a weird thing in itself because it’s kinda redundant to have extremely private stuff posted to a public space where anyone can see.

Then there’s the big stuff, like “don’t follow me if you ______.”

I never understood this. Sure, you have an opinion that varies from person to person. But what exactly does declaring certain people with certain opinions as undesirables really accomplish? You don’t see their stuff on your dash, so there’s no issue with triggering content. Also, you really can’t tell if someone has a dissenting opinion from yours unless they have publicly declared it.

Let’s say there’s someone that has made it clear that people who hate dogs are unwelcome to follow their rather cool blog. Let’s stay that I hate dogs with a burning passion, but never actually revealed it publicly. I can follow, and none would be the wiser. Unless I suddenly feel guilty for my opinion. But more likely, I would just probably just scoff and continue following. Especially if the blog has nothing to do with dogs in the first place!

Also, that non-dog blog is not gonna become associated with dog haters just because I follow it. Seriously! What kind of logic is that?

So this rule is unenforceable! You can do thorough inspections of your followers’ blogs, but anyone with a brain can realize that that is stupid. You have to rely on an honor system which, according to previous encounters on the website called Tumblr, almost never works!

I can bet $100 that some die-hard dog hater is just gonna get all pissy and harass that blog out of spite. WHY YOU CRUSHING FREE SPEECH???? HAHAHA FUCK YOU I HATE DOGS AND I’M FOLLOWING 4EVER!!!

Come on. You know this will happen. And it won’t help anyone.

So why do it?

What’s the benefit of attempting to restrict people from following a blog set in public online space.