I'm trying to get a handle on this phenomenon that is presently kicking my ass here on OlyBlog, and generally making the environment less hospitable. I think it has something to do with an affliction called "sportblogging" (I just made that up, I think, so don't go looking for a wiki). My definition of sportblogging is someone who is commenting not for the purpose of building community or edification, but for the thrill of the conflict. (Sportblogging is related to another pathology called Blogorrhea, or incessant blogging to no particular purpose.)

For reasons expressed very eloquently by enpen, I seem to be the target of a lot of sportblogging. I think this is at least part of why I'm struggling right now. So, I want to name this affliction, and draw people's attention to the signs and symptoms. When someone says, "I'm not a person who believes in X, but...", then that blogger may be infected. This means that the blogger isn't really invested in the ideas, but is just using them as a bludgeon to beat some other poor blogger over the head with. Another sure symptom is language like the following: "Some people think..." Well, if people do think that, they can sign up for an account and represent their own views here. Sportblogging usurps these views and uses them in ways that are not honest or authentic.

How do you know if you have an undiagnosed case of sportblogging? Well, if you feel that little jolt of electricity zing through you as you hit the submit button, you had better check yourself into the clinic, because it is likely that you're sportblogging.

Sportblogging appears to be highly contagious. Please beware and always wash your hands after handling the blog.