Wow! The Clough42 community has really grown! It continues to amaze me how many people take an interest in the things I do in my shop, and I’m honored to be able to share them with you. Your continued support and involvement have created opportunities for me that I never thought I would be able to have, and for that, I thank you.

I find your comments to be a source of both encouragement and learning, and I want them to be that for others, too. My goal has always been to build a community of people who want to share, teach, learn, and enjoy each others’ company. If you’re here for that, you’re in the right place.

Encouraging, positive comments are always welcome, and so are critical ones, when they are stated in constructive ways. I have learned a lot from people who pointed out my mistakes, suggested better ways of doing things, or shared their experiences that were different from mine. In fact, if you look through my videos, you’ll find places where someone was very strongly critical of something I said or did, and I pinned the comment because I thought it was an interesting or constructive discussion–even in cases where I personally disagreed.

And sometimes I pin comments because the commenter is right; I missed something important, and I think it’s valuable to point out my mistake and what I learned.

I do ask, however, that you keep it civil and constructive.

The underlying standard is this: Comments that build and contribute to the community are welcome. Comments that are destructive to the community are not.

Here are some examples of positive, constructive, comments that build the community:

  • I learned this new thing today: …
  • I was confused by something, and I have a question: …
  • I wouldn’t have done it that way. Instead, I would have: <describe different approach>
  • I think you’re wrong about <statement> because <reasons I think that>
  • I tried that once and got a completely different result: <and it was …>
  • This reminds me of the time that <insert rambling story here>
  • I would like your videos more if they were <longer, shorter, more or less detailed, faster, slower, louder, etc.>
  • I really didn’t like this video because <reasons why>
  • Humor, when it’s respectful of others

Note the commonality: these comments are encouraging, or they provide value. If you disagree, tell me why. I might respond, and you, or I, or both of us might learn something new and valuable. At the very least, we might have an interesting conversation.

Here are some examples of comments that do not add value and may get removed or may lead to your account being blocked:

  • Obscenities
  • Name calling
  • Personal attacks
  • Vitriolic rants
  • Factual incorrectness
  • Baiting
  • Scams
  • Commercial promotion
  • Trolling or other intentional troublemaking
  • Off-topic discussions

The vast majority of the people I have encountered along this journey have been wonderful. I continue to be amazed at your generosity, kindness, and willingness to share your knowledge. I’m totally here for that.