Hostility about blogging — the source?
The other day I sent a link to my LJ page to all the erstwhile friends and family that are in my address book. I invited them to read the last two or three days of postings as a way of finding out what was new with me. In other words, ‘hey guys, I just got a job, etc. etc. etc.’ While some did write back to say nice going, or some version of that, the hostility of some of the responses amazes me. Liike one “friend” who said, I’m only interested in the micro–are you happy” Well, duh, fellow, you just read my guts on the page. What do you think? Or another one who told me I “cheat” at keeping in touch. And then there was the family member who announced that she doesn’t read diaries as they’re so impersonal.
I can understand anyone not being interested in blogging, but what is the hostility about it due to? Any ideas?
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congrats
Congrats Janie! I am so glad to hear about our new job, please fill me in on the specifics. As for those nasty little friends who are complaining @ the blogg, it’s their loss. I LOVE reading your entries. You have such spirit and a wicked sense of humor! Blogg on my friend!
Beth
Yeh, I’m considering it from the viewpoint of a non-blogger. None of my family would DREAM of posting their activities online for the world (or even selected friends) to see. Your point is just as valid, that blogs are a way of telling everyone what you’re doing, but so they can read when they want… personally, I like blogging, although I have to edit and block access some mornings, on reading the previous evening’s posts!
Which, when put that way, does indeed seem kinda rude. But those of us who blog see it in a different light – like HEY! I’m shouting from the rooftops so everyone can hear at their own convenience. Errr…. I had a point. But it’s not making much sense now. So I’ll jump on the “they just don’t get it” bandwagon. Cuz ya don’t get it til ya do it.
I think it’s the assumption that if you’ve emailed or written to them, that’s a personal communication and you’ve bothered to type it all out just for them. Whereas a link to a livejournal blog is just ‘hey, you wanna see what I’m up to? Well I can’t be bothered to tell you individually, so here’s my blog’. Or at least that’s my interpretation of it.
Innnteresting. I have a friend who doesn’t want to check my LJ either. She had an account but let it lapse. She wants the Personalized Touch. That’s all very well, and she gets it – upon occasion. If a whole buncha my peeps want to hear from me every day? THEY NEED TO READ THE LJ, yo.
I used to not get blogging. It seemed very self-involved, like who are these people who think that someone else will want to read what they have to say?
And then I started, and realized that I was part of a community. That I could get feedback and give it and have my existence validated in that way.
So I imagine that there is some of that going on. The not-getting of it. And maybe some jealousy that you get it and they don’t.
Anyone who thinks diaries are impersonal is an idiot. I mean, duh. Clearly they have never kept one themselves.