Why can’t people just blog nicely? I don’t know where to start with this. In the last couple of weeks the authors of a few of the blogs that I have been reading have been upset or verbally attacked in posts and comments.
The first was at the end of July when Marzie at Mariuca – Wishing On A Falling Star was belittled for her success at becoming a very popular blog by someone not as successful. His comments were just plain rude. One comment he made was that in a particular 7 day period there were no new posts. Big deal, maybe she has a life outside of the internet and had other priorities those days.
Earlier this week, Becky from Just a Girl In Short Shorts Talking About Whatever had a particularly nasty episode with another blogger who on Monday proceeded to list all the reasons why her blog was so bad, he didn’t want his site linked to from it. This has very quickly got extremely nasty with comments being posted in blogs and on blog communities. I’m not sure if, as Becky says, this guy is evil and a woman hater. After checking out his blog, my personal opinion was that his post on Monday was totally unnecessary and rude. I don’t know what communication was made asking for the link to be removed, I’m guessing it was as offensive. If you don’t like someones blog, just stop visiting. I can see why if it was a particularly offensive site you might want a link removed, Becky’s site isn’t that, well at least not to me. During the posts relating to this, Becky linked to an earlier post that she had written about Mia Zapata who was raped and murdered in 1993. I think the point that Becky is making is that people and specifically women need to learn to fight back and not get verbally or physically abused.
On Friday Polliwog, a friend of Becky, at Polliwog’s Pond posted about the problems with the same blogger. A couple of days ago he had threatening comments left in her MyBlogLog profile by the same blogger as was being abusive to Becky. As fast as she deleted the comments he left another. Polli had not even commented on this until this started, so the attack on her was totally unjust.
So, taken from what I found on Becky’s site and in the comments, this guy seems just rude, but after reading Polli’s post, it looks like Becky’s description of woman hater may turn out to have grounds I don’t normally make these sort of comments, but this time I just needed to rant.
Another type of inhabitant of blog comments is the ‘troll‘. You can recognise them by their comments, they are the one who will always post the argumentative comments designed to get a reaction from others. Usually, if it is a subject that people feel strongly about themselves, they will react quickly and defend their point. This suits the troll, who’s only goal is the infuriate the prey. All they are after is attention, so ‘Don’t Feed The Troll’
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Thank you for your post Ian. I don’t think we’ve met in the blogosphere yet. Nice to mee you.
I think most bloggers “play nice” and are respectful, even when they disagree. I remember the attack on Mariuca and it shocked me as she is probably the sweetest person around. Always a kind word for everyone … I wasn’t as shocked by the events in Becky’s blog because she is outspoken and controversial and that will get more people out of the woodwork but it was upsetting.
I really never expected it to happen to me. I had been a “chicken” and hadn’t gotten involved, so it’s still a mystery to me why he chose to contact me. I appreciate very much you sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for your comments.
Although, I haven’t introduced myself, I’ve lurked, reading your blog from the RSS feed for some time now. I’m very bad at commenting, which means that I don’t often visit the blog itself.
I can’t understand why, if people only have negative things to say, they have to bother. I can take creative criticism because it is meant in a postive way. I can handle people disagreeing with my views and opinions, but it doen’t have to be nasty to disagree.
Regards,
Ian
Hi Ian! Thanks for writing this post 🙂 I wasn’t aware that u knew of my “predicament”. I didn’t know about Polliwog and Becky! That’s terrible! I hope these 2 ladies won’t take it too badly, like me LOL! Noone deserves to be attacked, especially when all we are doing is sharing a tiny space in this huge blogosphere to have our say, no matter how silly or ridiculous it may seem to some rude bloggers.
Loads of love and hugs for Polliwog, Becky and u too Ian for being so sweet 🙂 Thanks and good night!
I got attacked in the comment section on medblog blog. I was called a crazy person by someone who didn’t even leave a trail to find them, not anonymous but a badly linked URL. I’ve never left a comment there again although I still read the blog. I can only think he/she misread my comment, but it was upsetting.
Hi Mariuca,
Thanks for your comment. I came across your ‘predicament’ when I came back off holiday and was checking the posts on Bobby’s blog.
You’d think there was enough room for everyone to have their views without people having to take pot shots for cheap publicity or just ’cause they get their kicks that way.
I enjoy your blog, even if the music always catches me out.
Regards,
Ian
Hi jmb,
It seems that this happens more than I realised.
I suppose a disadvantage of the digital age is that we can respond very quickly, either with posts or comments, which means that a cool off period to re-read and reflect doesn’t happen.
No chance of that here, it takes me so long to 2 finger type anything and then re-read for spelling mistakes and then rephrase sections, that even a bit of a rant like this post took the best part of an hour from start to post.
Regards,
Ian