Blogs

PocketPunky

I have a question about some of the behavior I see on the blogs. (I've seen this with myself AND I've seen it with friends...so, this was not actually about anything anyone said or did on a blog to me today...just observation).

I'm not a big fan of the "People are SOOO MEA-AN" mentality and the posts that get thrown around on here.

People are people. Wether in your daily life or online, you're going to run into people who disagree with you...have different ways of sharing/receiving information...have different beliefs...whatever...Not everyone will tell you what you want to hear, but if you ask a question you are still going to get answers. That's the beauty of asking questions in a public forum...you get many different answers from many different people and you can read through to see what makes the most sense in a way of communication that speaks to you.

Blogs I feel a little differently about, though. A blog is a place where people are trying to get out THEIR feelings or thoughts on a topic...they're not necessarily asking you to tell them that they're right or wrong...they're just trying to share or use the written word as an outlet.

So, my question is this...WHY do people feel the need to go into someone's blog and either downvote it (especially on something very personal) or post hateful comments? If you don't like the emotions that someone is sharing...MOVE ON. If there is a particular blogger that you don't like their blogs...DON'T READ THEM. There is no point in taking someone's emotions (joy, sadness, grief, fear...WHATEVER) and downgrading it. Quite honestly, if they wanted your opinion it would have been a forum topic, not a blog.

And, yes, I do know that we have the choice to make our blogs private or only viewable to our friends. Honestly? I'm GLAD that most people don't do that. Maybe I don't enjoy your blog. Maybe I don't agree with your view on something. But maybe something you said was something that I needed to hear today. Maybe I something I wrote is similar to something you're dealing with and for one moment you felt less alone. So, no...to me privatizing the blog is not the answer...respecting people's emotions is the answer.

Yeah, yeah, I know...TL/dr.

srslybritt

Get your opinions and logic out of here.

likitisplit

Yes. I agree.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

The only time I would down-vote is if the OP is promoting something unhealthy. Generally I know whose blogs I will or won't enjoy and I choose which blogs to read accordingly.

I've had people down-vote my blogs but I try not to take it personally. And the nice thing is that you can delete any comments you don't like.

spade117

So, my question is this...WHY do people feel the need to go into someone's blog and either downvote it (especially on something very personal) or post hateful comments?

I don't know the answer to that.

Yes. I agree.

I do not agree.

Regardless if it is a blog, thread, whatever...if the option to reply is there, then one should expect all types of replies.

Fsunami

I have a question about some of the behavior I see on the blogs. (I've seen this with myself AND I've seen it with friends...so, this was not actually about anything anyone said or did on a blog to me today...just observation).

I'm not a big fan of the "People are SOOO MEA-AN" mentality and the posts that get thrown around on here.

People are people. Wether in your daily life or online, you're going to run into people who disagree with you...have different ways of sharing/receiving information...have different beliefs...whatever...Not everyone will tell you what you want to hear, but if you ask a question you are still going to get answers. That's the beauty of asking questions in a public forum...you get many different answers from many different people and you can read through to see what makes the most sense in a way of communication that speaks to you.

Blogs I feel a little differently about, though. A blog is a place where people are trying to get out THEIR feelings or thoughts on a topic...they're not necessarily asking you to tell them that they're right or wrong...they're just trying to share or use the written word as an outlet.

So, my question is this...WHY do people feel the need to go into someone's blog and either downvote it (especially on something very personal) or post hateful comments? If you don't like the emotions that someone is sharing...MOVE ON. If there is a particular blogger that you don't like their blogs...DON'T READ THEM. There is no point in taking someone's emotions (joy, sadness, grief, fear...WHATEVER) and downgrading it. Quite honestly, if they wanted your opinion it would have been a forum topic, not a blog.

And, yes, I do know that we have the choice to make our blogs private or only viewable to our friends. Honestly? I'm GLAD that most people don't do that. Maybe I don't enjoy your blog. Maybe I don't agree with your view on something. But maybe something you said was something that I needed to hear today. Maybe I something I wrote is similar to something you're dealing with and for one moment you felt less alone. So, no...to me privatizing the blog is not the answer...respecting people's emotions is the answer.

Yeah, yeah, I know...TL/dr.

Good question....

Acutally, you answered it...


People are people. Wether in your daily life or online, you're going to run into people who disagree with you...have different ways of sharing/receiving information...have different beliefs...whatever

likitisplit

So, my question is this...WHY do people feel the need to go into someone's blog and either downvote it (especially on something very personal) or post hateful comments?

I don't know the answer to that.

Yes. I agree.

I do not agree.

Regardless if it is a blog, thread, whatever...if the option to reply is there, then one should expect all types of replies.

Replies are replies, but I've seen straight up attacks in blog posts.

If you don't take the time to consider a persons's POV in your answer anywhere else on MFP, do it in the blogs.

It's like you are in somebody's home. Friendly difference of opinion leads to sparkling conversation, but the aim isn't the win you'd be going for in debate club.

JoelleAnn78

It is for this very reason that my blogs are viewable only to my friends. I don't feel ready for gen pop comments on personal thoughts.

Unknown

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ILiftHeavyAcrylics

So, my question is this...WHY do people feel the need to go into someone's blog and either downvote it (especially on something very personal) or post hateful comments?

I don't know the answer to that.

Yes. I agree.

I do not agree.

Regardless if it is a blog, thread, whatever...if the option to reply is there, then one should expect all types of replies.

Replies are replies, but I've seen straight up attacks in blog posts.

If you don't take the time to consider a persons's POV in your answer anywhere else on MFP, do it in the blogs.

It's like you are in somebody's home. Friendly difference of opinion leads to sparkling conversation, but the aim isn't the win you'd be going for in debate club.

I'd put blogs in the same category as success stories. They're not completely immune to criticism but I'm a lot less likely to criticize one-- it pretty much has to be promoting something dangerous.

baba_helly

As you said not everyone is going to like what you have to say. You are also not going to like what everyone else has to say. If this is something that is upsetting or hurtful to you I would suggest not sharing very personal or intimate feelings to a larger audience.

I would also ask if you are truly sharing these feelings to potentially be helpful to others or if perhaps you are mostly seeking comfort and support. If it's the latter maybe only sharing with those you are close to is the better option. If not, then it's important to remember that for the most part negative comments are going to be less common than positive support. If these few responses are affecting you more than the positive feedback, I would personally revisit whether or not my thoughts and feelings should be made available for everyone to see.

k8blujay2

Because some people are attention *kitten* and they don't like it when others get the attention...

Unknown

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baba_helly

As you said not everyone is going to like what you have to say. You are also not going to like what everyone else has to say. If this is something that is upsetting or hurtful to you I would suggest not sharing very personal or intimate feelings to a larger audience.

I would also ask if you are truly sharing these feelings to potentially be helpful to others or if perhaps you are mostly seeking comfort and support. If it's the latter maybe only sharing with those you are close to is the better option. If not, then it's important to remember that for the most part negative comments are going to be less common than positive support. If these few responses are affecting you more than the positive feedback, I would personally revisit whether or not my thoughts and feelings should be made available for everyone to see.

I do understand this, but it was actually something that was done on someone else's blog today that bugged me...I guess it just bothers me to think that the options are that someone either deal with negativity on something personal or I don't get to read some really amazing blogs from people that I'm not friends with. It's just kind of sad.

Those aren't the only two options. The third option is to accept that there will be some negative feedback and not let it bother them.

ETA: long story short... you can only control your own actions. Getting upset over what someone else is doing or saying is exhausting and pointless.

Butrovich

To me, a private blog is nothing more than a diary you write within and keep to yourself. An open blog is similar to standing in a crowded room and expressing your opinion. You should expect a variety of responses and feedback. Unfortunately, there is a percentage of people who thrive on negativity and will not hesitate to express that liberally on others' blogs. Unless what they say is backed up with valid logic worthy of a debate, all we can do is accept that is their nature and move on.

likitisplit

As you said not everyone is going to like what you have to say. You are also not going to like what everyone else has to say. If this is something that is upsetting or hurtful to you I would suggest not sharing very personal or intimate feelings to a larger audience.

I would also ask if you are truly sharing these feelings to potentially be helpful to others or if perhaps you are mostly seeking comfort and support. If it's the latter maybe only sharing with those you are close to is the better option. If not, then it's important to remember that for the most part negative comments are going to be less common than positive support. If these few responses are affecting you more than the positive feedback, I would personally revisit whether or not my thoughts and feelings should be made available for everyone to see.

I do understand this, but it was actually something that was done on someone else's blog today that bugged me...I guess it just bothers me to think that the options are that someone either deal with negativity on something personal or I don't get to read some really amazing blogs from people that I'm not friends with. It's just kind of sad.

Those aren't the only two options. The third option is to accept that there will be some negative feedback and not let it bother them.

ETA: long story short... you can only control your own actions. Getting upset over what someone else is doing or saying is exhausting and pointless.

This is true too, but I think a healthy community has some discussion about boundaries. If somebody blocks the grocery aisle with their cart, you don't switch to only online ordering through Amazon and you don't go off on them. It is rude and frustrating though.

We all "know" that you don't block the aisle and people do, in fact, discuss how to handle it even though it's been in force as long as there have been carts and aisles. Do you wait? Nudge the cart out of the way? Clearly ask the person to move?

I think that the question is healthy.

CallMeCupcakeDammit

I thought your summary of TL;DR was , which would've been perfect. It seems that people are downvoting some blogs just out of spite. I don't get it, but I try to ignore the energy-sucking negativity. That's why you have the option to delete those comments on your blog, unlike in the forums where you have to get a mod involved. You have the power, baby! :drinker:

wheird

As you said not everyone is going to like what you have to say. You are also not going to like what everyone else has to say. If this is something that is upsetting or hurtful to you I would suggest not sharing very personal or intimate feelings to a larger audience.

I would also ask if you are truly sharing these feelings to potentially be helpful to others or if perhaps you are mostly seeking comfort and support. If it's the latter maybe only sharing with those you are close to is the better option. If not, then it's important to remember that for the most part negative comments are going to be less common than positive support. If these few responses are affecting you more than the positive feedback, I would personally revisit whether or not my thoughts and feelings should be made available for everyone to see.

I do understand this, but it was actually something that was done on someone else's blog today that bugged me...I guess it just bothers me to think that the options are that someone either deal with negativity on something personal or I don't get to read some really amazing blogs from people that I'm not friends with. It's just kind of sad.

Those aren't the only two options. The third option is to accept that there will be some negative feedback and not let it bother them.

ETA: long story short... you can only control your own actions. Getting upset over what someone else is doing or saying is exhausting and pointless.

This is true too, but I think a healthy community has some discussion about boundaries. If somebody blocks the grocery aisle with their cart, you don't switch to only online ordering through Amazon and you don't go off on them. It is rude and frustrating though.

We all "know" that you don't block the aisle and people do, in fact, discuss how to handle it even though it's been in force as long as there have been carts and aisles. Do you wait? Nudge the cart out of the way? Clearly ask the person to move?

I think that the question is healthy.

Not equivalent scenarios. A negative comment isn't physically blocking anyone. You can choose to ignore a negative comment and it won't impede you in any way.

Also, when you make a public blog, with an open comments section, you have to do so with the understanding that people have the ability and right to freely express their opinion.

It sucks when someone is an *kitten* or crosses a boundary, but that's the field we play on.

deana727

Asked and answered. And answered again, some make me cringe and some lift me up. Thanks for posting this question because it reminds me not to be too attached to etiquette (because people aren't), but to consider the source of the negativity. I'm also one of the blogosphere lurkers, I'd hate it if people I read but don't add as friends went private. So when I can I try to balance it with something positive. Hope others do the same.