Disclaimer

fine printIt should be obvious that this blog reflects personal interests and opinions. You may not always share the same viewpoint as the author, but such is life. There’s an old saying, “It takes all kinds to make a world.” The wide variety of interests found in such a place as, for instance, the internet guarantees an interesting – if sometimes uncomfortable – ride. The hope is, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” and “As long as it isn’t hurting anyone, let Freedom Reign!” (Rah, Rah!)

Anyway, here it is. If you don’t like what you see here, c’est la vie. Sorry to have wasted your time. No doubt, you’ll find something you like better further down the ‘highway.’ Thanks for stopping by!

Attention Would-be Followers!

I’m increasing unhappy with Follows (or post Likes) that appear to be a marketing ploy, fakes in an attempt to publicize another blog. They seem to be a form of advertising, not a genuine interest in following this blog (or actually having read and liked a post).

Please stop. I am not a part of your marketing plan. I’m tempted to turn off Likes, but the bug-ridden WordPress Reader exposes the Like mechanism no matter how you configure your blog site.

I regularly prune my Followers list, removing any that have never made themselves known in any other fashion other than that initial Follow. (If you’re too shy to comment, at least Like some posts so I know you’re there. I can’t tell whether I’m speaking to an empty room or one with invisible, silent people.)

Follow Policy

I’ve seen at least one other blogger post a “Follow Policy,” and that seems like a good idea. It helps to make it clear why I may, or may not, choose to follow another blogger. If you follow me, it’s not a given that I will follow you. I don’t follow other bloggers hoping they will follow me.

Part of it is the number of hours in a day. There are so many interesting blogs that one could spend their life just as a reader. The problem is, the more I read, the less I write. I’m here to write.

I follow bloggers that interest me. That almost always means those who are writing from their own hearts, and it often means bloggers who are somehow on the fringe or edge of society. I especially like the cynical, the edgy, the fractured and the outsiders. I’m not big on photo blogs, fiction blogs or blogs with the primary purpose of selling something.

Bottom line, if I don’t follow you, don’t take it personally. Your blog may be fascinating and wonderful, but given how little time I devote to reading, I must be highly selective. And for what it’s worth, I’m far more inclined to follow those who interact with me via comments, either on their or my blog.

Awards Policy

I’ve also seen bloggers post an Awards Policy, and that also sounds like a good idea to me. A lot of the awards I’ve seen seem like super-duper Likes — ways for one blogger to show another blogger how much they like them. That’s really cool (and in many cases, very inventive)! They’re also a great social mechanism — the “pass it on by naming X other bloggers” thing builds networks. Also very cool.

The thing is,… well,… it’s just that they make me uncomfortable. In my family we were always very careful about justice and being even-handed. If some great honor or privilege was bestowed upon me or my sister, the other was always given some small compensation so as not to feel left out. More importantly, perhaps, what little we had was always given out equally (and so fairness is a core principle for me).

I feel a little awkward about the whole thing is all I’m saying, plus I always feel bad for the bloggers who never get awards. I’m always drawn to underdogs, and given my druthers I’d like to stand with those unrewarded and unawarded.

So,… love the spirit of the thing, but would ask to recuse myself from nomination.

STANDARD DISCLAIMER

Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform.  This product is meant for educational purposes only.  Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.  Edited for television.  No other warranty expressed or implied.  Many suitcases look alike.  Use only as directed.  Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment.  Postage will be paid by addressee.  Colors may, in time, fade.  Slippery when wet.  For office use only.  Not affiliated with the American Red Cross.  Drop in any mailbox.  Void where prohibited.  List each check separately by bank number.  Contents may settle during shipment.  Subject to CAB approval.  This is not an offer to sell securities.  Apply only to affected area.  We have sent the forms which seem to be right for you.  May be too intense for some viewers.  Do not stamp.  Use other side for additional listings.  For recreational use only.  Do not disturb.  Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients.  All models over 18 years of age.  If condition persists, consult your physician.  No user-serviceable parts inside.  Freshest if eaten before date on carton.  Subject to change without notice.  Times approximate.  Some assembly required.  Simulated picture.  No postage necessary if mailed in the United States.  Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement.  For off-road use only.  As seen on TV.  Record additional transactions on back of previous stub.  Close box before striking match.  One size fits all.  Keep cool; process promptly.  Post office will not deliver without postage.  List was current at time of printing.  Return to sender, no forwarding order on file, unable to forward.  At participating locations only.  Not the Beatles.  Penalty for private use.  See label for sequence.  Substantial penalty for early withdrawal.  Do not write below this line.  Falling rock.  Lost ticket pays maximum rate.  Your cancelled check is your receipt.  Add toner.  Place stamp here.  Avoid contact with skin.  Sanitized for your protection.  Be sure each item is properly endorsed.  Sign here without admitting guilt.  Slightly higher west of the Mississippi.  Employees and their families are not eligible.  Beware of dog.  Contestants have been briefed on some questions before the show.  Limited time offer, call now to insure prompt delivery.  You must be present to win.  No passes accepted for this engagement.  No purchase necessary.  Processed at location stamped in code at top of carton.  Shading within a garment may occur.  Use only in well-ventilated area.  Keep away from fire or flame.  Replace with same type.  Approved for veterans.  Booths for two or more.  Check here if tax-deductible.  Some equipment shown is optional.  Price does not include taxes.  No Canadian coins.  Not recommended for children.  Prerecorded for this time zone.  Reproduction strictly prohibited.  No solicitors.  No alcohol, dogs, or horses.  No anchovies unless otherwise specified.  Restaurant package, not for resale.  List at least two alternate dates.  First pull up, then pull down.  Call toll-free before digging.  Driver does not carry cash.  Some of the trademarks mentioned in this product appear for identification purposes only.  Batteries not included.

This supersedes all previous notices.

25 responses to “Disclaimer”

  • d.c.b.
    July 16th, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    I have always love the movie “Batteries not included.”

  • dianasschwenk
    August 27th, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    I have never thought to write a disclaimer but I’ve seen a few lately.

  • Chyina
    January 8th, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    I hadn’t thought about putting a blog wide disclaimer up. Maybe I should. This sounds quite good.

  • Lady from Manila
    June 15th, 2013 at 11:51 am

    Following blogs ostensibly offends my sensibilities as well. So this disclaimer thing you’ve got is just cool…That’s why I chose you. Besides, you’re funny and smart. Fine by me if you won’t visit my site. There’s nothing in there you won’t find mushy anyway. But I’ll follow you. You don’t mind, do you? 🙂
    Clicking Like is fine, I believe. Sometimes, it’s difficult to come up with something witty to share through the Comments section so the appreciation for the post can only be conveyed by the snap of the Like button.
    I hope you continue blogging, WS. You’ve so many interesting things to say. And I do like it here.

    • Wyrd Smythe
      June 15th, 2013 at 12:32 pm

      Hello and Welcome! Lovely to meet you. Thank you for stopping by, reading and commenting! (And thanks for the flattery! I’m not so sure about Sara Lee, but nobody doesn’t like flattery!)

      I agree about the [Like] button. Saves cluttering up the joint with “Nice post!” comments. I do sometimes wish there were more buttons: [Sympathies] [Funny] [Me Too] [Bummer] and so forth. Sometimes when someone posts an article about something awful that happened, clicking “like” just feels odd.

      And surprise, surprise, I’ve already dropped by your blog for a brief glance. Liked what I saw, and I’ll be back to explore and to follow when there’s a bit more time. (In two weeks there’s going to be a LOT more time!) You have a thing for musicians (did I mention I’ve played since I was a kid? :grin:), but I have a thing for teachers!

      I just renewed my domain name for another year, so I’m definitely planning on sticking around. I expect that beginning in July I’ll be kicking off a new career as a full-time blogger!

      • Lady from Manila
        June 15th, 2013 at 1:27 pm

        My original intention was to stay as a stealthy follower (…like a lurker?). Because I get uncomfortable attracting attention to my blog (yep, my kind does exist). But you’ve been silent for so looong. I was afraid you wouldn’t be coming back.
        I started hanging around here two weeks ago and I was amazed at how I could relate to many of your sentiments. Having a teacher’s soul, feeling a bit of a misanthrope, how the Internet fits well into your lifestyle. I’m not an intellectual but I’m willing to learn a lot from your blog. You got me started with that Law of Entropy, fyi. And now you’re even making me giddy, Mr. Music guy. 😉
        You’re right. I wish there were more buttons, too. Do you think a Dislike button is also a good idea? he he
        I’ll wait for July then. Don’t go anywhere. 🙂
        Warm Regards to you.

      • Wyrd Smythe
        June 15th, 2013 at 9:32 pm

        There are sites that do have something like a [Dislike] button. I don’t know what the comment engine is—I’ve seen it in a couple of places—but it has [Thumbs-Up] and [Thumbs-Down] buttons. Posts and articles end up with two scores plus a balance. It’s kind of a neat system, although it can require a thick skin at times, since each comment has the same scores!

        I noticed your [Like] on that Entropy post; it’s what caused me to pop by for a visit. I, too, noticed we share some traits. You say such nice things that, uncomfortable attention or not, I’ll just have to drop by and see what you’re about. And I have to discover how someone who doesn’t want blog attention… is a blogger! 🙂

      • Lady from Manila
        June 15th, 2013 at 10:23 pm

        (chuckle) Good point you made. I thought about that, too. Which is – why am I blogging if I’m uneasy with the attention. Perhaps because my blog has become too personal for comfort. Men usually post about more impersonal matters. I mean, they get to know about my entire (dramatic) life – because my blog is of memoir type – while I read about cooler stuff from them; their favorite baseball players, their pets, what they drink, even politics. Not fair :-). Though some honest info about yourself here I find quite refreshing.
        I guess it simply boils down to me feeling shy around erudite, blogger gods like you. But I really feel good to have found your charming blog. I like Science very much. And I’m now planning to comment on that Entropy post.
        Have a good night in your part of the globe, WS.

      • Wyrd Smythe
        June 15th, 2013 at 11:58 pm

        Heh, I’m no blogger god! Once I retire I do plan to devote more time to being a full-time blogger, but I still think Godhood is a ways off (if it ever happens… I’m not mainstream and not to everyone’s taste).

        From what little I’ve seen of your blog so far, you (A) have no reason to feel shy, you can hold your own quite well, and (2) write about idea topics as well as anyone (more than many, I would say).

        And bear in mind that some of us have been writing a long time. I’ve written for public consumption since high school 40 years ago. (In fact, it just struck me that I graduated from high school exactly 40 years ago this month! Time flies like an arrow! (Fruit flies like a banana!!))

  • the Urban Strategist
    December 25th, 2013 at 11:18 pm

    It’s a shame there has to be a disclaimer, especially when people blog (or I should hope) truly because they enjoy it or love it. I will simply look forward to your next blog post because I enjoy how you write <—- there, that's my disclaimer 🙂 I vow to enjoy post after post!

    • Wyrd Smythe
      December 26th, 2013 at 11:17 am

      I think the one that really made my jaw drop was the car commercial that features this little car buzzing around doing things cars clearly cannot (such as acting like a skateboard). The disclaimer, the fine print quickly flashed at the bottom of the screen, reads, “A car is not a skateboard.”)

      Oh.

      Do tell. (Why do I feel like I live in an asylum (one where no one is on their meds)?)

      You seem level-headed and sane. Welcome new visitor! 😀