About This Site

Commonplacebook.com is the personal website of Steph Mineart. I created the site way back in the dark ages -- in late 1994, probably in November, as near as I can reconstruct. I feel sad that I don't have "blogiversary" like all those other fellows who celebrate every year. Originally, the URL for the site was at my service provider because it was really expensive to own a domain name in those days. In 1998, I bought this URL and here I've been ever since.

What is a "commonplace book" you might ask? (Or not, I'll tell you anyway.)

Commonplace book (n.): an edited collection of striking passages noted in a single place for future reference. There was a time when commonplace books were a popular way for civilized men and women to record striking passages they found in their reading. Who can forget the electrifying effect that some thoughts have on us when we encounter them for the first time? The commonplace book is a way of memorializing those striking passages so that one can return to them for renewed inspiration.

My Policy on Site Comments

I very much appreciate people leaving comments on pages on this site. I love it that people other than myself read stuff here and are moved by it in one way or another.

Commonplacebook.com is my personal website, so I think of it as my real estate. I pay the bills to keep the site running, so it's really not a "public forum," but more like my front yard. If you bring me a plant for the porch, I'll cherish it. But if you graffiti my house, I'll clean it up.

So basically, I reserve the right to edit or delete comments that bother me in any way. If that's upsetting to you, I'm sorry. You certainly have the right to start your own site and express your opinions there. I'd probably even read it every day.

My policy is very similar (although quite a bit less funny) than the Guidelines for Commenters on "I Hate the Patriarchy." which contains this very choice tidbit that I love:

Your comments appear on my blog at my pleasure. I have not solicited your participation. I don't care if you disagree with me. You do not have a "right" to be heard on this or any other blog. Neither do I "owe" you the slightest respect, courtesy or explanation. I may delete any of your comments I choose, for whatever reason I choose.

And fair warning - If you make any of the arguments categorized on the "Derailing for Dummies" compilation, your comment will be terminated with prejudice. And possibly I'll set your car on fire. Don't say you weren't warned.

Disclaimer

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