Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride
Pulled from another topic. When I first started out, I had no idea what I was doing. I commented on other blogs, but never on my own. That has since changed and often there is a nice little back and forth that takes place.
Now, I don't hate it when bloggers don't do this, but it's nice to see some interaction.
Also, I read two posts today where people have decided to turn commenting off all together. I don't get that. What do you think?
Depends on the comment made. I usually respond, but sometimes a comment doesn't need a response. Certainly, if the comment asks a question about something in the post, you should respond to it. Otherwise, I usually just go to that person's blog and reciprocate with a comment (also a great way to discover other blogs to follow).
I treat blogging as publishing. I came to it through journalism and in journalism we have several ways of interacting with comments. I like when a reporter engages below-the-line but one of the sites I worked for had a rule: we put our words out publicly and with our names; if someone can't respond at that same level they're not worth responding to. That rule was there to keep the reporters sane. They have better things to be doing and after awhile, whatever you wrote is what you've said. Really, any sources, information, or analysis relevant to the post or story should be in the post or story. Backing it up in an endless war of words with the great anonymous of the internet is pointless. Think what you think. I'm not there to change that, just show you what I've found.
Blogging is often more informal, of course. If I put a post out and someone responds to expand the topic I definitely will interact back. Partly manners, partly I just want to foster conversation and learn from others. If someone's just there to argue, he's gone. I will block commenters and wield the ban hammer very, very quickly. Free dialogue on the internet is not a greater cause than someone's emotional well-being, including my own. Interact properly or commenting very quickly become a privilege I'm not willing to extend.
What a timely thread. Mostly because when I logged on to my pc last night
this was waiting for me in my blog comments:
Something I’ve always wanted to say; you are a racist fuck. The worst kind of hater.
I have that effect on people. It's a gift.
Like VeryBigBeard, I come at blogging from a journalism background and among my gigs was as both a columnist and an op-ed page writer. I've been ripped from ass to appetite by experts, so when I take incoming from a troll, I usually shrug it off. Hey, thanks for bumping up my site stats and have an ordinary day as you are obviously thinking about
me far more than I have ever thought about
you.
I do understand why bloggers turn off their comments section. There are a lot of mouth-breathers and knuckle-draggers who seek out material to go ballistic over and I usually don't fail to diappoint. I have strong opinions and I state them strongly and firmly because I'm willing to take the slings and arrows that come with it. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
I don't mind someone who challenges my perspectives as long as they bring something to the party other than F-bombs and vitriol. I can't use that, but criticism with some thought behind it which nails the weakness and flaws of my viewpoint are extremely useful. Writers need critics because they remind us where we come up short.
I try to acknowledge comments when I can, but I come up short sometimes. It simply polite to acknowledge someone when they've taken the time out to say something about something I've written.
The funny thing about this particular F-bomber? I know who it is. They are an Absolute Write member, albeit one who hasn't posted on the board since 2013, but apparently I made quite the impression.
Never said it was a good one.
