Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Blog Rant!!!

Dear Blog Land,


Since many of you read the same blogs that we do, you're probably aware of a lot of "blog drama" that's been happening over the past few weeks. Just typing that is laughable, but we have some things to say because we’re sick of hearing about it. People are getting upset because of mean comments left on their blogs or feeling that they no longer have any privacy and that people pry too much into their lives. They claim that blogging is an outlet for them, that it's their way of expressing themselves. And that others are ruining that for them.


Well, here's the deal as far as we see it. If you don't want people to know something - don't post it on your blog for the world to read. Stop creating Formspring accounts where anyone & everyone can ask you whatever they please. And seriously - stop answering the questions you don't want to answer. But for the love of God, stop complaining. Because you've created a monster, and then throw your hands up in the air like you had nothing to do with it. Please.


Because if you say something like "I had (fill in the blank) happen to me, but I don't want to talk about it on my blog. Email me if you want to know more," or "I bought (fill in the blank) but I don't want to share how much it cost on my blog," then don't act surprised when people get curious. It's like a child who claims to have a secret, but won't tell anyone. If you really have a secret, keep your mouth shut. Don't parade your "secret" around your blog, and then point your finger at others for asking too many questions. It's human nature to be curious. If you hadn't said anything in the first place, people wouldn't have asked. It's as simple as that.


If you're mad that people are calling you pretentious - stop posting pictures of your expensive material possessions on your blog, and blog about something else. If you really blogged for "you," then we believe you'd have more to share than pictures of your house, your car, your clothes, your furniture, or your jewelry. People only know what they see. With blogging, where people only know what you share - you have 100% control of your image. If you don't like it - do something about it. If you don't like the mean comments, delete them.


But the problem is that those who claim to want privacy, really don't. They say things like "I would still blog if no one read. I only blog for me as a way of expressing myself." Sorry, but we’re calling your bluff. If you really felt that way, you'd go private. You'd create another blog that no one knew about. But you won't do that. Because you love the attention. You've turned blogging into a popularity contest, and then act stunned when it turns against you.


Don't act so surprised when things don't work out the way you wished. If you think you're going to put yourself out there to the entire internet, and have everyone compliment you or talk about how amazing you are, you are seriously naive. It's like being a celebrity, in a MUCH reduced sense. When you put yourself in the public eye, people are going to judge and question the way you live your life. Period. It’s the way it works whether it’s right or wrong. You can't expect everyone to like you. And unfortunately, you can't expect those who don't like you, to ignore you. If you really blog for you, then continue to do that. Don’t let people bother you.


Either toughen up & accept that people aren't always going to love you, or make your blog private. It's not rocket science. But the complaining has to stop. Because it comes off as whiny and immature. If you can't handle the criticism, don't put yourself out there. And no one would judge you for deciding to close your blog. No one would judge you for deciding to go private. But people will judge you when you put your entire life in front of the public, and then complain about the repercussions.


Rant over.


love,


jenn, shaina, and d.a.r

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen@

Kayla said...

Amen Sister!!!

Patience said...

God Yes, you couldn't have said it better. I don't know what is really going on other then reading a couple blogs about people closing up shop because they received some negative comments. Really, are we 10?

I also don't get all of these formspring accounts. If you are that concerned about your privacy don't allow people to ask you whatever or simply not answer what you don't feel comfortable answering. I LOVE that you pointed out that someone will say, this happened to me and if you want to know more email me. Wha? Don't post it to begin with.
I am sympathetic if someone feels their family is life is in jeopardy, I get that. But getting upset because you post pics about material things and get upset when someone calls you materialistic is a tad bit overboard.

Amanda M said...

Love love love it. You hit the nail right on the head!

Under this Umbrella said...

This is just perfect and should the "terms and conditions" statement for all blogs.

Megan said...

Preach it!

Erin said...

Amen!

Taryn said...

Totally in the dark about who you are referring to...but I definitely agree with your arguments. A PUBLIC blog is just that, PUBLIC...for anyone and everyone to see.

Jennifer said...

Very well put!

Susannah said...

Right on! I agree wholeheartedly!

Anonymous said...

Where is the "Like" button?
I have quit reading a LOT of "popular" blogs in recent months. Digging through drama to get to actual entertaining content is just not worth my time.

Jane said...

HERE, HERE!

Mind if I mention and link back to this in a post of my own???

PS: Not to be all hypocritical, I feel the need to admit starting a formspring account. Fabulous procrastination tool. And I've already simply deleted a couple of questions that I didn't feel like answering! Problem solved ...

Ashley said...

I agree with most of you points-- it's impossible to be completely anonymous while blogging

Are you guys talking about make mine a mojito?

Sara said...

YES YES YES!!!!!

Wearing Mascara said...

WELL SAID. Bravo.

I have a Formspring account and yes, sometimes, I'll say on Twitter, "I can't believe someone asked me that" but it's more for a good laugh rather than being insulted. I also like Formspring (for now anyways) because I am getting questions and being able to look at myself thoughtfully to answer them.

I really love this post and bravo for putting it out there.

Anonymous said...

Well said.

ms. mindless said...

you are preaching to the choir! i couldn't agree more. thanks for sharing.

Brittany Ann said...

Amen sister! I'll sign that petition!

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

muaahahhaa this post is so funny! You are definitely saying it well--but I do have to say I'm in the dark, I guess I must not follow this person because I'm L.O.S.T--

But still...all very good points ;) and amusing to say the least!

Taryn said...

I am not sure what drama is going on- but I must agree with everything you guys said. It sucks to have your privacy invaded- but really- blogging is sharing your life with the whole freakin' world! oh well.

AEOT said...

Formspring puzzles me to no end. Why on earth would I want anonymous people asking me questions??? If you want to know something about me and you follow my blog, ask me in the comments and I'll respond. I do that all the time and I've never gotten a mean response to that (probably b/c my questions are soooo benign but still!). Formspring seems like a way to just intrude even more into someones personal life- and I think that SOME parts of life should be PERSONAL!!!!!!!!! But I'm definitely not a lay it all out there blogger. I don't believe in sharing a lot of $$ things b/c I don't want to be compared to others. For the love, I get nervous sharing my bump pictures b/c I'm afraid of a negative comment. I'm sure that's why I don't have 500 followers, but at least my followers are kind and enjoy my random postings. I'm with you guys on this thing. I really truly only comment on things that matter to me or on blogs that I know well, but I read a TON of blogs and they can definitely be over the top at times. Ah well, to each there own. If they have to stop blogging for awhile, they will, but I don't think that'll last forever!!

AEOT said...

BTW- thanks for all the sweet responses yesterday to a few of my posts!! I know you've been busy and missing Hubs, but I'm glad to know you are still reading :)

Jackie said...

i was just talking about this with miss mindless the other day! drama drama drama.

well said, friend!

Casey (@ Chaos and Cardboard) said...

Ah yes, that blog. It's true that when you put it out there, you open yourself up to a lot of crap. And there are certainly people who put it out there.

However, there are also just some really mean people out there on the other end. I don't mind if people disagree with what I have to say, but there are people who take it way too far and create multiple accounts just to do a lot of name calling. I think that for her, with a popular blog, people probably forgot to view her as a person, and viewed her as a persona. To the persona they said things one would never say to a person. Does that make sense?

Ah, drama.