My Youth (of Today)
When I was younger, I was a huge fan of D.C. band, Fugazi. To this day, I still pull out those old LPs and listen to what I consider classic records. (Ok, so I don’t pull out the LPs, but instead scroll through my iPod to find them.) Fugazi marked a turning point in the late 80s hardcore scene and I was there to witness it all, even meeting and speaking with Fugazi several times.
Fugazi were known for their DIY (do-it-yourself) ethics and a stance against much of the violence that was plaguing many of the shows at the time. For those of you that weren’t into that whole music scene, let me explain; many bands were beginning to draw “crossover” crowds – metal heads and punks, prog rockers and skaters, stoners and skinheads – and these crowds often clashed. And when I say clashed, I mean fight. Nasty fights. Riots and ugliness. I’ve seen several happen right in front of. It’s not pretty.
Fugazi guitarist and vocalist, Ian MacKaye (formerly of straight edge hardcore band, Minor Threat), was known for admonishing those who chose violence (even in the form of slam dancing and moshing) during the middle of the show, while the rest of the band carried on behind him. He spoke individually to those that were causing the ruckus and at every show I ever saw him do it at, brought a calm peaceful resolution to the problems in the crowd. It was always quite a sight to behold.
Am I on the wrong site?
Ok, now that you feel as if you’ve been reading an old worn copy of Flipside, let me get to the point.
Fugazi were always known as being real (which is a curiosity in itself as the word fugazi is actually Italian slang for “fake”). Everyone knew that they meant what they said and said what they meant. If it was unpopular with the crowd, it didn’t matter. They were there to create amazing music and anything that stood in the way of that was fair game.
Me, I stopped trying to create amazing music onstage, but instead took to the real estate and blogging worlds. I’m attempting to create amazing real estate transactions and amazing blogs. Not everyone will come “peacefully“. There will be times when people who came to see me will not agree with everything I say and do. They will tell me I’m wrong for my beliefs or cause a ruckus. While not what I would call a riot by any stretch of the imagination, Bob Wilson’s recent comments on a post of mine have me thinking about conflict resolution.
Before anyone equates what I just said with “Bob Wilson is attacking me,” let me be clear; I like Bob, I loved his comments, and I respect his opinions. We are different. We think differently on this particular issue (and probably some others). While Bob and I went back and forth, trying to explain our individual positions, I reflected on the fact that this was probably my first real disagreement on something I’ve written (and Bob wasn’t the only one). In disagreeing with me, I found myself trying to explain my idea more in depth…although that didn’t change Bob’s mind anyway. A differing opinion is bound to happen on your blog someday. How you handle it can make a lot of difference.
The best position to take when there is a disagreement on your blog is to begin a dialogue. Although neither Bob nor I walked away knowing we had convinced the other of our opinions, I did hear a lot in Bob’s comments that I could relate to. By listening and opening yourself up to something different, you may just learn something or even change your opinion. They don’t have to be written in stone, that’s for sure.
I’m still a new agent and learning everyday (and will be long into the future) and an occasional disagreement between myself and someone on one of my blogs is good for me. It opens an opportunity for me to learn from someone else’s experience and knowledge. We all should be open and ready to learn from our peers – even if we don’t agree with them.
photo courtesy of intangibleArts
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Consumerism, Geo-mapping columnist
Marketing columnist
Matt, you’ve run off the rails here, I couldn’t disagree more. Ha, Ha, just kidding.
This is great advice, when challenged, if we go fly’n off the handle, our regrettable counter-attact will scream louder than the point we’re trying to make and it will line on-line forever.
PS. I’m really enjoying your writing style. You’ve continue to sharpen.
Cheers.
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Ken – This train never was known to run on the rails all too well. Haha.
I think it’s important to think of how and when to react. Obviously, if anyone knows a bit about me, they’ll know that I like a little bit of disagreement. It challenges my way of thinking. Benn’s a great example of this. If you go through some of my posts and see some of the comments he’s left – he challenges me to think harder all the time. Benn made a comment about feeling “like a proud father” once about me and I can tell you, I often feel like a “proud son” to him because of his way of challenging me to constantly think and re-think my opinions, theories, and ideas.
I learned early on (pre-real estate, during band forum days) that there are times when it’s best to just let someone shout what they have to say and not “counter-attack.” Of course, this was kids trying to out-do each other in insults, not a professional blog such as we have here. This was not an attack, but a thoughtful discussion between two people – very different, but easily could be turned into one, if Bob and I were not willing to discuss.
As for the compliment, all I can say is a simple “thanks.” You’re a wickedly crafty writer and to hear that from you gives me a boost this morning.
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I will tell you from experience Matt that one of two things happens to any blogger, 1) you’ll either become absolutely solidified in your own position, or 2) you’ll doubt yourself and your position, both happen to everyone, don’t be fooled. Having said all of that, there is no strategy for dealing with hostility, it’s just hostile, but honest debate, honest questions of fact or position are part of the job, either respond or don’t because at the end of the day, all have said their peace and the greater audience can make up their own mind, they see through motives of attackers, and they can smell bs.
Bob was voted 2008s most valuable commenter here at AG by writers unanimously because he isn’t biased, just writes what he thinks, but from Bobs own words in private conversations, every comment he leaves is thought over and over before he presses submit. I wish more folks commented like Bob comments, his passion for this business is on sleeve and would gladly give that same sleeve to anyone that needed it. You’re so right in judging his character, and knowing you both you’d be surprised at how much you two are actually alike. I actually think he might be you with 20 years of experience in this biz.
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Benn – I was actually happy to see someone disagree and disagree with passion. There’s a difference between disagreed just for kicks and disagreeing because you truly believe what you believe. I also think part of your comment is super important:
The “greater audience” is very important to me when it comes to comments. I like to think that the blogs I write and the comments that follow them, because they live on in perpetuity on the internet, may provide insight to someone in the future. Someone might look back at the back and forth comments and think up a new theory, idea, gadget, gizmo, law, rule…you get the picture.
I was one of those that voted for Bob (after I realized we were supposed to vote for non-contributors). Bob probably has commented more on my posts than anyone else has and I look forward to reading what he has to say. On this particular issue we disagree, but he did give me something to think about.
Because I used the words “wasting time” and “game” I think I directed the conversation in a certain way. I have been thinking about that post a lot and wonder if I had worded things differently what the conversation would have been like. I don’t think I would have had Bob championing Foursquare as a tool, but I think his comments may have been totally different in nature.
Perhaps, the title should have been:
“Foursquare: Possible Real Estate Uses”
“Foursquare As A Social Connector”
“Localize Your Foursquare Friends And Open A New Network”
It would be interesting to go back in time and see…
Bob is me with 20 years experience? From what I know of Bob, I’ll take that as a huge compliment.