I have been blogging and reading blogs for several years now. At one time I felt like an outcast amongst many of my friends as it seemed they may be questioning the whole “blog” idea as somewhat of a fad or immature.
Now that much has changed, as many of my friends now have their own blogs as well as spend time reading others. I think blogs are like anything else, they can be used to help or hinder our lives. I personally find most of the ones I read are helpful.
Now the point of this post… Of all the talk I have heard concerning blogs by those who maintain them, I have noticed an interesting thing. Those I talk to and or hear talk about their blogs, I have noticed some are not comfortable with strangers leaving comments on their posts. The interesting part of this to me is that is seems to only be females who feel this way (at least with my experience). I have never heard a guy feel uncomfortable with a stranger leaving a comment. Now, I know this is probably not the case in every situation, but it just seems to be an interesting observation.
Tonight I came across Molly Piper’s thoughts concerning strangers and stalkers commenting on her blog.
4 Comments
July 9, 2008 at 12:03 am
Great post! I completely agree with Molly Piper’s post about commenting! I LOVE it when people I don’t know come and read my blog and leave comments. I have “met” several new people through my blog. That is one of the reasons why I started “What’s Up with Nick.” I wanted people around the world to read about our life and what we dealt with and still deal with cystic fibrosis. I have people all around the world that read my blog on Nick and have met even more people through my own blog I just started. I love it. Anyone can feel free to comment on my blog and I feel comfortable commenting on the blogs of other people – whether the blog is written by a man or a woman. I have a new great friend in South Africa, a new aquaintance in India, and a new friend in Texas. These relationships would never have happened had I not commented on their blogs. I think it is totally cool!
July 9, 2008 at 10:48 am
I must admit that I am one of those who feel (or maybe now “did feel”) awkward leaving a comment on someone’s blog that I don’t know. I guess for me there are pictures of Adele and my family on my blog so I would like to know who is lurking (I mean looking). It makes me more comfortable and so I guess I was trying to extend the courtesy to others. But, I guess if you are looking but you don’t leave a comment then you are still looking none the less. However, I do agree with Molly Piper that it is public domain and so therefore open to viewing. Of course, when I started my blog I voiced this concern to Jason who said “if you don’t want people looking then don’t start a blog.” He is right.
July 14, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Robin referred me to your blog. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed and looking forward to reading more.
This is my first (non-stalker) comment.
July 15, 2008 at 8:53 am
i think it is pretty cool when someone you don’t know leaves a comment on your blog. it is like having a pen-pal.
i would rather someone leave a comment and let me know they are looking then have them lurk(i mean look)and not leave a comment. i have that map that tells me where people are coming from and i know that people are looking at it from all over the place but i don’t know WHO they are. i think some people may be coming over from you or michael or robin or beth’s blog but i don’t know anything else.
I LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE COMMENTS!