Do you know what really bugs me? Bloggers who don't participate in the debate or discussion they started.
It's like they've lobbed a pseudo-intellectual blog-bomb into the ether then scurry away to hide in their blog-bunker. Jumping onto the zeitgeist bandwagon the sycophantic plebeians of social media swarm around their blog like it was the greatest thing since god knows what. Unwittingly feeding the behaviour and encouraging more blog-bombing. WTF?
Perhaps it's ignorance... Perhaps if we don't tell them engagement is an interesting dance between people they won't ever know? That their beautifully crafted bouquet of a blog is in fact a Pseudo-Intellectual Blog-Bomb of Ignorance.
Perhaps standing up and defending what you have to say is hard work... Perhaps being brave enough to listen and change your views doesn't come easy...
Guess what? IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE EASY. It's called authenticity. It's called integrity. It's where you'll find respect.
Perhaps the audience get something from this reverse monologue... I don't. Would you write a message or talk to a book? No! Then why would you engage in a monologue with a blog post? I'd much rather have a meaningful conversation or debate with people who can do more than just vomit into a blog and suck up the adoration of the star-struck.
It's my personal opinion of course but I'm happy to look at it through your eyes and learn something new.
Oh and if you're reading this thinking it's just David having a bit of a rant, I'm not. I'm initiating a dialogue with you and I'd love to hear what you have to say. You know where to find me!
David,
ReplyDeleteI loved your blog and do love reading others. The reason I tend not to leave a comment is because i feel that I have nothing meaningful to say! As for being a Blogger, I don't see myself as one and so on that basis, I again, don't feel I have anything to contribute.
That leaves just having a dialogue on Twitter in as many long conversations as it sometimes takes! That's the contribution I can make and feel I'm able to without feeling "stupid" about it.
As promised, here's my contribution.
Hi Bina! Great to read your thoughts & contribution. I think it's fair to say that more & more of the dialogue around a subject (or even a blog post) now happens on Twitter. I think it's great and perhaps allows for a more divergent exploration than a blog does...
ReplyDeleteMy post was really about the bloggers who initiate but don't engage in the dialogue rather than those readers who don't comment. Commenting is a personal choice. Writing a blog post and then not engaging with the readers' comments or tweets on the subject just seems like ignorance. In my eyes it reflects poorly on the person.
There's another dimension here in terms of expectations which I wrote about here which may add to the discussion :
http://peopleperformancepotential.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/friday-wondering-our-social-contract.html
Thanks David, you're most kind! I would gladly contribute to #FridayWondering! Excellent Idea!
ReplyDeleteI do understand when you say that once you've written a blog/a post, you do have that responsibility to engage with your readers, at least show them the courtesy of acknowleding their participation.
Another great read David. I have to admit I find some well known bloggers to be very much as you describe. It's as if they have their view, they like having that view confirmed but struggle if there is disagreement or a further dialogue is required. For me it's a matter of personal pride to reply to commenters, to give the respect to their input, whether I agree or not. I appreciate that the likes of Seth Goddin don't allow comments just because of sheer weight of replies etc. but even that feels somewhat rude.
ReplyDeleteI know my blog is much smaller but if you've bothered to comment you deserve a response is my motto
Great motto Jon - "If you've bothered to comment you deserve a response". What does it say when bloggers act contrary to that? "You don't deserve my response"? "I can't be bothered"? Doesn't seem like a great way to maintain any half-way decent reputation...
ReplyDelete@RafaDavies posted this today which I think touches upon the reputational aspect...
http://hrchainsaw.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/the-most-amazing-awesome-essential-game-changing-post-ever-not-really/
Seth Godin is an interesting one... I wonder who he discusses/debates with and how? Where does he get his learning?
he he - Seth knows everything ;) A Latin lesson. Ab = away. Rogare = to question. Arrogance is derived from these two words and the Latin definition says it all methinks.
ReplyDeleteI guess the flip side to his abrogation of comments is that perhaps he's found a better way?!?
ReplyDeleteI get the distinction: throwing open a subject - and possibly for the traffic it will generate - and then not bothering to respond to the resultant reaction(s).
ReplyDeleteI closed comments on my personal blog, but welcome and encourage dialogue elsewhere on social media or email. The result is that the blog attracts less people who want to be seen to be commenting (or for link juice) and more people who really want to get into it with me.
I would rather that sort of meaningful dialogue than random and mindless commenting.
Too often, I find, comments are used as some sort of barometer as to how good a blog is. The two rarely have anything to do with each other.
Hi Mel - delighted you commented as it adds to the discussion and debate. Without trying to be "cute" that's where I personally think blog comments can come into their own. I agree that platitudes or mindless comments are no barometer of the blog - just the person commenting.
ReplyDeleteI increasingly enjoy more of the "in the moment" comments & discussions from my blog posts that happen on Twitter, email or even the phone. There's a spontaneity, connection & dialogue that is hard to find on a blog comment box.
Yet I still feel I need a place for more lengthy, shared discussions to be hosted publicly. Would this seam of enquiry you've opened up here have happened if I'd closed the comments function?
Yes. Because when I am moved to comment or discuss I do. I would have conversed with you on Twitter or offline. In the time I have been blogging, I have seen a lessening of quality material and more sensationalism just to boost comment numbers.
ReplyDeleteLike everything in life, though, it is personal choice how one chooses to run their space.
I am leaning more to the old fashioned 'Letter To The Editor', which I may implement.
The sensationalism for popularity sakes doesn't appeal but there's a place for provocation - I think you'd agree!
ReplyDeleteThe interesting piece about blog numbers is who cares? We as readers are only aware if we see lots of comments - we can make our own minds up about the quality etc. Or if the blogger broadcasts their "stats" - how does that serve the readership?
Don't get me wrong, there's an important place for celebration but self-promotional grand-standing wins a big unfollow in my book.
Interested in your idea of "Letter to the Editor" - it's worth experimenting I think!