I had not want to bring this matter up originally because others would accuse me of stirring shit. And for the same reason I did not ‘ping’ this post and will mostly use cached copies when linking the articles. But for those who would insist I am stirring shit then be reminded that when you let someone get away with it by saying her remarks are made in a personal capacity, then don’t make any noise when I say something in relative privacy here!

Anyway, I recalled on more than one occasion I argued with chillycraps [cc] over this, at times we probably vowed never to talk to one another again in private due to violent disagreement. I raised the matter again with cc when dk raised hell, and it had made cc quite annoyed. In fact, when I told him about this again earlier, cc said he doesn’t want to hear about it anymore.

But before I begin, let me just say dk and cc both loved the community in their own special way. I admire cc for his forbearance and long suffering – in silence – even though I think cc should just put down ‘the cross he is carrying’ and speak up.

The matter began somewhere in late May, where there was a slew of posts from bloggers about their crush, and on 28.05.2008, someone launched a unprovoked attack on un-named invidual(s). And the reason which inspired this post is found here: see ‘A comment made during the first incident’ .

In the blog post, the labels shallow blogger and serious blogger were used. It left people scratching their heads wondering who are the people being referred to here and in private some of us felt it has created a rift. After all, this blogger has actually asked the people who are unhappy to leave ping.sg.

I was also quite annoyed looking at what was written because I have also on several occasions spoken out against the postings lacking quality. I was under the impression that my private feedback over channels like Windows Live Messenger and G-talk were being discussed behind my back and instead of telling me straight off to end it, this public spectacle is created to send me a message. It was much later, I found out that cc was the one under fire, as he had mentioned on Twitter he wanted to take some time off from ping.sg and return after the ‘Crush Fad’ die off.

I had no clue why Daphne was upset with that, and what she has told this little puppy to make it equally upset enough to be inspired into making that blog post and a subsequent one. I can only guess it was because cc was being like the show stopper. But whatever the reason was, cc and I were even more annoyed with the subsequent post which continues to build a case over a non-existent issue – i.e. the ‘issue’ of ‘serious bloggers making a fuss out of shallow postings’. I initiated a brief flame war with the puppy on Twitter after that.

Subsequently, I believe cc and I separately asked Daphne to meet up with us, and discuss measures on how to clarify the matter and ‘officially’ put an end to it. Daphne refused the moment she heard about an ‘official statement’ to end this. In her opinion, the puppy wasn’t referring to anyone, and thus this is nothing more than a dispute between bloggers and has nothing to do with her. I had the generally impression that her opinion is that since no names were mentioned and only we are the one who openly thinks we are the one mentioned, then it is just our problem and not a community one.

On top of which, even if we are unhappy about it, the matter is already dying off and no one cares anymore. And to emphasize that her decision in this is final, she told me in a private G-talk chat in no sterner terms (not exact words): ‘You can leave if you don’t like it. I have a forest and I won’t give it up to keep two trees. I have work to do and many things like the Ping party to attend to. I am very busy.’.

I was speechless even when I put aside my perhaps mistaken impression that we are close friends. After all, I recall there was once, under a difficult circumstance a long time ago, nocturne had said this to me: ‘Don’t expect any favours from me because we are friends!’ .

But I wasn’t asking for favours. I had expected her to exercise her responsibilities as a community manager to mend the rift. Not to mention one she has caused in her casual chit chat with another blogger. In fact, as a matter of 20/20 hindsight, I would suggest she talked about her pressures when managing the blogger’s community on ping.sg with non-bloggers in future, or like Hillary Clinton said: Can’t take the heat? Leave the kitchen!.

After all, who knows if some trigger happy blogger won’t just take her comments out of context and make a big fuss over it? But as history has proven… Daphne never learns.