The blogosphere is kind of a grumpy place. Unchecked amateurs ranting about anything or everything. Anonymous commenters hurling insults from their cubicles. Spite. Cynicism. Mismanaged sarcasm. Why so eggy? Are you really just bored?


In creating Innersection, this was a concern. You can make movies and write magazine articles from a nice, safe artistic bubble. But an online, interactive competition opens you up to a whole ’nother level of pedestrian moodiness and online hater-aid. You can pretend the anonymous backstabs and invisible outrage doesn’t bother you, but it’s still there, like sand in your shoe. I still have to click “approve” on all that witless cynicism.


You know, (sniffle) I have feelings too.


But maybe I’m the witless cynic here. Because so far, you’ve all been super cool. Stoked on the comp. Eager to participate. Psyched to contribute. The feedback has been amazing. Irie vibes and virtual positivity. In fact, I’m going to play a Sashomon album in the background and speak in muted tones for the rest of this blog.


“Butterfly on her shoulder…” Ah, that’s sweet.


Is it possible that we can conduct an online competition in a positive manner? Can we just get stoked on people’s hard work? Can we offer positive feedback and constructive criticism, rather than anonymous taunts and flippant disdain? Can we rise above our tawdry past of blindsided brick-hurling and just get along?


Well, we can dream. And we can try.


After all, it’s only surfing.


Next month, you’ll be invited to become a voting, commenting, DVD-creating member of Innersection (for free) — we hope when you sign up you’ll use your real name and conduct yourself as if you were amongst real people.
Because guess what? You are. —NM