You know I love this community. But lately things seem a bit off. I've talked to two of my favorite bloggers recently about the seemingly endless array of hate sites and mean twitterers and nasty emails. It seems like you can always find somewhere to go to complain about the popular bloggers. And it seems like it is becoming a more and more popular thing to do.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you don't like a blog, don't read it. It's easier than changing a tv show you hate or turning the radio off, you don't type the address into the address bar. I'm not trying to be condescending or talk down to you, it's just that I don't get it.
I love blogging. I love this community. I love twitter. It's starting to make me sad, what has been going on. How mean people are being. I've said I want to be a "big" blogger (and recently I've reached medium territory) (and really, I don't want to be a big blogger, I don't really care) but not if it means people go to hate sites and make up horrible nasty things about you or criticize your parenting or flat out lie.
I started blogging on a lark. My husband convinced me that I read so many blogs I might as well start one. And then I started writing other places and got very invested in the community. I've made really, really close friends through blogging. Some I've never met. Some I see all the time. Some of our kids play together and have become friends.
I blog because I love it. I blog because it's fun. When it stops being fun, when I stop loving it, I'm not doing it anymore. I realize not everyone is as lucky. Some of you earn a livelihood from blogging, and even though it has stopped being fun, you can't stop.
Please, just be nice. Let's all try go back to the all adage. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
And I promise I will try to stop writing these lectures.
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Man, that is not something I’ve experienced personally, but I guess that’s because my blog isn’t read by a whole lot of people that I don’t already know!
With ‘fame’ comes nastiness, it seems… but I’m with you– no one forces you to read a blogger you don’t like. How difficult is that??
Man, that is not something I’ve experienced personally, but I guess that’s because my blog isn’t read by a whole lot of people that I don’t already know!
With ‘fame’ comes nastiness, it seems… but I’m with you– no one forces you to read a blogger you don’t like. How difficult is that??
Man, that is not something I’ve experienced personally, but I guess that’s because my blog isn’t read by a whole lot of people that I don’t already know!
With ‘fame’ comes nastiness, it seems… but I’m with you– no one forces you to read a blogger you don’t like. How difficult is that??
Man, that is not something I’ve experienced personally, but I guess that’s because my blog isn’t read by a whole lot of people that I don’t already know!
With ‘fame’ comes nastiness, it seems… but I’m with you– no one forces you to read a blogger you don’t like. How difficult is that??
I am obviously a light twitterer, but I can’t believe there are mean twitterers out there! I agree with exactly what you said if you don’t like what someone wrote, you don’t have to read it. I had a problem with a fellow blogger (a friend and former coworker no less) who connected me with being Pro-Obama to basically having no morals. That was difficult to swallow.
I am obviously a light twitterer, but I can’t believe there are mean twitterers out there! I agree with exactly what you said if you don’t like what someone wrote, you don’t have to read it. I had a problem with a fellow blogger (a friend and former coworker no less) who connected me with being Pro-Obama to basically having no morals. That was difficult to swallow.
I am obviously a light twitterer, but I can’t believe there are mean twitterers out there! I agree with exactly what you said if you don’t like what someone wrote, you don’t have to read it. I had a problem with a fellow blogger (a friend and former coworker no less) who connected me with being Pro-Obama to basically having no morals. That was difficult to swallow.
I am obviously a light twitterer, but I can’t believe there are mean twitterers out there! I agree with exactly what you said if you don’t like what someone wrote, you don’t have to read it. I had a problem with a fellow blogger (a friend and former coworker no less) who connected me with being Pro-Obama to basically having no morals. That was difficult to swallow.
You know, it’s not only the hate sites, in my opinion, because those are at least easy to chalk up to crazy people with too much time on their hands, but it’s really catty behavior by grown adults who definitely seem to know better. The passive-aggressive twitters, for example, or the semi-snarky comments that sting but aren’t actually hateful, you know? I just wonder if some people follow/read/comment only because it fuels gossip for them and gives them something to whisper about with others. Thankfully the good far outweighs the bad, and I wouldn’t stop doing this because of a handful of really immature women and men, but I totally get your point here and I agree with you completely.
You know, it’s not only the hate sites, in my opinion, because those are at least easy to chalk up to crazy people with too much time on their hands, but it’s really catty behavior by grown adults who definitely seem to know better. The passive-aggressive twitters, for example, or the semi-snarky comments that sting but aren’t actually hateful, you know? I just wonder if some people follow/read/comment only because it fuels gossip for them and gives them something to whisper about with others. Thankfully the good far outweighs the bad, and I wouldn’t stop doing this because of a handful of really immature women and men, but I totally get your point here and I agree with you completely.
You know, it’s not only the hate sites, in my opinion, because those are at least easy to chalk up to crazy people with too much time on their hands, but it’s really catty behavior by grown adults who definitely seem to know better. The passive-aggressive twitters, for example, or the semi-snarky comments that sting but aren’t actually hateful, you know? I just wonder if some people follow/read/comment only because it fuels gossip for them and gives them something to whisper about with others. Thankfully the good far outweighs the bad, and I wouldn’t stop doing this because of a handful of really immature women and men, but I totally get your point here and I agree with you completely.
You know, it’s not only the hate sites, in my opinion, because those are at least easy to chalk up to crazy people with too much time on their hands, but it’s really catty behavior by grown adults who definitely seem to know better. The passive-aggressive twitters, for example, or the semi-snarky comments that sting but aren’t actually hateful, you know? I just wonder if some people follow/read/comment only because it fuels gossip for them and gives them something to whisper about with others. Thankfully the good far outweighs the bad, and I wouldn’t stop doing this because of a handful of really immature women and men, but I totally get your point here and I agree with you completely.
I’ve been reading blogs for awhile, and just recently started one of my own. I cannot believe some of the crazy stuff that people (mostly anonymously) will comment just to feel better about themselves. I feel priviledged to have insight into other’s lives that normally I wouldn’t.
I’ve been reading blogs for awhile, and just recently started one of my own. I cannot believe some of the crazy stuff that people (mostly anonymously) will comment just to feel better about themselves. I feel priviledged to have insight into other’s lives that normally I wouldn’t.
I’ve been reading blogs for awhile, and just recently started one of my own. I cannot believe some of the crazy stuff that people (mostly anonymously) will comment just to feel better about themselves. I feel priviledged to have insight into other’s lives that normally I wouldn’t.
I’ve been reading blogs for awhile, and just recently started one of my own. I cannot believe some of the crazy stuff that people (mostly anonymously) will comment just to feel better about themselves. I feel priviledged to have insight into other’s lives that normally I wouldn’t.
Since I am Full of Snark, one would think I would enjoy those snarky hate sites. While funny at first, I can’t read those boards and participate because when it comes down to it, it’s just mean. Like you said, if you don’t like someone, move on. I’m not going to participate because I don’t want someone saying bad shit about me. The old adage is true “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all.”
The passive-agressive ones are the worst.
Since I am Full of Snark, one would think I would enjoy those snarky hate sites. While funny at first, I can’t read those boards and participate because when it comes down to it, it’s just mean. Like you said, if you don’t like someone, move on. I’m not going to participate because I don’t want someone saying bad shit about me. The old adage is true “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all.”
The passive-agressive ones are the worst.
Since I am Full of Snark, one would think I would enjoy those snarky hate sites. While funny at first, I can’t read those boards and participate because when it comes down to it, it’s just mean. Like you said, if you don’t like someone, move on. I’m not going to participate because I don’t want someone saying bad shit about me. The old adage is true “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all.”
The passive-agressive ones are the worst.
Since I am Full of Snark, one would think I would enjoy those snarky hate sites. While funny at first, I can’t read those boards and participate because when it comes down to it, it’s just mean. Like you said, if you don’t like someone, move on. I’m not going to participate because I don’t want someone saying bad shit about me. The old adage is true “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all.”
The passive-agressive ones are the worst.
About a month ago I got on the Jon and Kate Plus 8 bandwagon. I started reading pro and con blogs and middle of the road blogs. The posts started out as general questions, which morphed in to snarky, know-it-all posts, which became personal attacks. Many posters posted anonymously so that they were not connected to their trail of hate. I had to stop reading. It was sickening the lengths that some posters would go to defend their position.
I’m sorry that you have been attacked. Very cowardly of people to attack behind the cover of the internet. I suspect the same people would not have the guts to say the same things to you in person.
Please don’t stop blogging. I enjoy your posts.
About a month ago I got on the Jon and Kate Plus 8 bandwagon. I started reading pro and con blogs and middle of the road blogs. The posts started out as general questions, which morphed in to snarky, know-it-all posts, which became personal attacks. Many posters posted anonymously so that they were not connected to their trail of hate. I had to stop reading. It was sickening the lengths that some posters would go to defend their position.
I’m sorry that you have been attacked. Very cowardly of people to attack behind the cover of the internet. I suspect the same people would not have the guts to say the same things to you in person.
Please don’t stop blogging. I enjoy your posts.
About a month ago I got on the Jon and Kate Plus 8 bandwagon. I started reading pro and con blogs and middle of the road blogs. The posts started out as general questions, which morphed in to snarky, know-it-all posts, which became personal attacks. Many posters posted anonymously so that they were not connected to their trail of hate. I had to stop reading. It was sickening the lengths that some posters would go to defend their position.
I’m sorry that you have been attacked. Very cowardly of people to attack behind the cover of the internet. I suspect the same people would not have the guts to say the same things to you in person.
Please don’t stop blogging. I enjoy your posts.
About a month ago I got on the Jon and Kate Plus 8 bandwagon. I started reading pro and con blogs and middle of the road blogs. The posts started out as general questions, which morphed in to snarky, know-it-all posts, which became personal attacks. Many posters posted anonymously so that they were not connected to their trail of hate. I had to stop reading. It was sickening the lengths that some posters would go to defend their position.
I’m sorry that you have been attacked. Very cowardly of people to attack behind the cover of the internet. I suspect the same people would not have the guts to say the same things to you in person.
Please don’t stop blogging. I enjoy your posts.
Amen, sister.
A little healthy debate never hurt anyone but lies and slander cross the line.
That being said, I feel like I always miss the juicy stuff. There are sites where people go to complain about popular bloggers? God, I live in such a hole…
Amen, sister.
A little healthy debate never hurt anyone but lies and slander cross the line.
That being said, I feel like I always miss the juicy stuff. There are sites where people go to complain about popular bloggers? God, I live in such a hole…
Amen, sister.
A little healthy debate never hurt anyone but lies and slander cross the line.
That being said, I feel like I always miss the juicy stuff. There are sites where people go to complain about popular bloggers? God, I live in such a hole…
Amen, sister.
A little healthy debate never hurt anyone but lies and slander cross the line.
That being said, I feel like I always miss the juicy stuff. There are sites where people go to complain about popular bloggers? God, I live in such a hole…
Amen, sister.
Amen, sister.
Amen, sister.
Amen, sister.
Let me add another AMEN.
I’ve become a bit disenchanted with blogging as of late, and this is one of the reasons. I can’t understand how using an online forum can turn otherwise nice people into such bitches sometimes.
Let me add another AMEN.
I’ve become a bit disenchanted with blogging as of late, and this is one of the reasons. I can’t understand how using an online forum can turn otherwise nice people into such bitches sometimes.
Let me add another AMEN.
I’ve become a bit disenchanted with blogging as of late, and this is one of the reasons. I can’t understand how using an online forum can turn otherwise nice people into such bitches sometimes.
Let me add another AMEN.
I’ve become a bit disenchanted with blogging as of late, and this is one of the reasons. I can’t understand how using an online forum can turn otherwise nice people into such bitches sometimes.
Well said. It just seems like such a waste of time to take time to be nasty. I read the blogs and write one for fun. It’s sad that people use it to insult and bully others.
Well said. It just seems like such a waste of time to take time to be nasty. I read the blogs and write one for fun. It’s sad that people use it to insult and bully others.
Well said. It just seems like such a waste of time to take time to be nasty. I read the blogs and write one for fun. It’s sad that people use it to insult and bully others.
Well said. It just seems like such a waste of time to take time to be nasty. I read the blogs and write one for fun. It’s sad that people use it to insult and bully others.
I must live in the same hole as Kim because I had no idea, either. I mean, I’ve seen some not so nice comments on a blog or two, and I know you’ve gotten some crazy emails, but jeez, some people have too much time on their hands. Maybe they’d like to come do my laundry?
I feel the same way you do, and I am so grateful for all the friendships I’ve made because of blogs. Those I don’t like? That’s what the red X is for.
I must live in the same hole as Kim because I had no idea, either. I mean, I’ve seen some not so nice comments on a blog or two, and I know you’ve gotten some crazy emails, but jeez, some people have too much time on their hands. Maybe they’d like to come do my laundry?
I feel the same way you do, and I am so grateful for all the friendships I’ve made because of blogs. Those I don’t like? That’s what the red X is for.
I must live in the same hole as Kim because I had no idea, either. I mean, I’ve seen some not so nice comments on a blog or two, and I know you’ve gotten some crazy emails, but jeez, some people have too much time on their hands. Maybe they’d like to come do my laundry?
I feel the same way you do, and I am so grateful for all the friendships I’ve made because of blogs. Those I don’t like? That’s what the red X is for.
I must live in the same hole as Kim because I had no idea, either. I mean, I’ve seen some not so nice comments on a blog or two, and I know you’ve gotten some crazy emails, but jeez, some people have too much time on their hands. Maybe they’d like to come do my laundry?
I feel the same way you do, and I am so grateful for all the friendships I’ve made because of blogs. Those I don’t like? That’s what the red X is for.
THanks for posting this, there are some nasty ass people out there. Seriously! eek. I always say if you couldn’t say what you write in person, you shouldn’t be writing it. Writing anonymously online makes it so easy to be so mean and ruthless, but that doesn’t mean we should be.
THanks for posting this, there are some nasty ass people out there. Seriously! eek. I always say if you couldn’t say what you write in person, you shouldn’t be writing it. Writing anonymously online makes it so easy to be so mean and ruthless, but that doesn’t mean we should be.
THanks for posting this, there are some nasty ass people out there. Seriously! eek. I always say if you couldn’t say what you write in person, you shouldn’t be writing it. Writing anonymously online makes it so easy to be so mean and ruthless, but that doesn’t mean we should be.
THanks for posting this, there are some nasty ass people out there. Seriously! eek. I always say if you couldn’t say what you write in person, you shouldn’t be writing it. Writing anonymously online makes it so easy to be so mean and ruthless, but that doesn’t mean we should be.
I agree w/ every word here, Jodi and frankly that is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you, specifically, this weekend because I know you get it. Well that I really like you and know that I will never get anything but your honest opinion and thoughts.
I said recently that I love the internet & the support but yeah, the hate, it's getting old. So old. And mean. Gaaaaaah. I mean, yeah, hate sites have always been mean spirited but the things being said now are SO loaded with venom. It can be kind of scary, actually. But still, end of the day, it's the internet, it's blogs, for pete's sake, get a hobby, get a pet, get a life if a blogger bothers you so much you have to take time out to …hate them.
Anyway, all that to say, great post.
I agree w/ every word here, Jodi and frankly that is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you, specifically, this weekend because I know you get it. Well that I really like you and know that I will never get anything but your honest opinion and thoughts.
I said recently that I love the internet & the support but yeah, the hate, it's getting old. So old. And mean. Gaaaaaah. I mean, yeah, hate sites have always been mean spirited but the things being said now are SO loaded with venom. It can be kind of scary, actually. But still, end of the day, it's the internet, it's blogs, for pete's sake, get a hobby, get a pet, get a life if a blogger bothers you so much you have to take time out to …hate them.
Anyway, all that to say, great post.
I agree w/ every word here, Jodi and frankly that is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you, specifically, this weekend because I know you get it. Well that I really like you and know that I will never get anything but your honest opinion and thoughts.
I said recently that I love the internet & the support but yeah, the hate, it's getting old. So old. And mean. Gaaaaaah. I mean, yeah, hate sites have always been mean spirited but the things being said now are SO loaded with venom. It can be kind of scary, actually. But still, end of the day, it's the internet, it's blogs, for pete's sake, get a hobby, get a pet, get a life if a blogger bothers you so much you have to take time out to …hate them.
Anyway, all that to say, great post.
I agree w/ every word here, Jodi and frankly that is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you, specifically, this weekend because I know you get it. Well that I really like you and know that I will never get anything but your honest opinion and thoughts.
I said recently that I love the internet & the support but yeah, the hate, it's getting old. So old. And mean. Gaaaaaah. I mean, yeah, hate sites have always been mean spirited but the things being said now are SO loaded with venom. It can be kind of scary, actually. But still, end of the day, it's the internet, it's blogs, for pete's sake, get a hobby, get a pet, get a life if a blogger bothers you so much you have to take time out to …hate them.
Anyway, all that to say, great post.
Boo to the haters. It’s sad that the relative anonymity the internet provides, which on one hand provides so much good, can also bring out the absolute worst in some people (as recent court cases have shown).
Boo to the haters. It’s sad that the relative anonymity the internet provides, which on one hand provides so much good, can also bring out the absolute worst in some people (as recent court cases have shown).
Boo to the haters. It’s sad that the relative anonymity the internet provides, which on one hand provides so much good, can also bring out the absolute worst in some people (as recent court cases have shown).
Boo to the haters. It’s sad that the relative anonymity the internet provides, which on one hand provides so much good, can also bring out the absolute worst in some people (as recent court cases have shown).
I wouldn’t have guessed that… seems like you’re more than capable of dealing with them, though. Hats off to you.
I wouldn’t have guessed that… seems like you’re more than capable of dealing with them, though. Hats off to you.
I wouldn’t have guessed that… seems like you’re more than capable of dealing with them, though. Hats off to you.
I wouldn’t have guessed that… seems like you’re more than capable of dealing with them, though. Hats off to you.
I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about the blogging community, but I haven’t seen the hate forums either. But I have interviewed over 20 mom bloggers and have learned so much from them! It’s amazing what blogging has brought to so many women’s lives.
I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about the blogging community, but I haven’t seen the hate forums either. But I have interviewed over 20 mom bloggers and have learned so much from them! It’s amazing what blogging has brought to so many women’s lives.
I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about the blogging community, but I haven’t seen the hate forums either. But I have interviewed over 20 mom bloggers and have learned so much from them! It’s amazing what blogging has brought to so many women’s lives.
I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about the blogging community, but I haven’t seen the hate forums either. But I have interviewed over 20 mom bloggers and have learned so much from them! It’s amazing what blogging has brought to so many women’s lives.