I’ve read a couple of the follow up blogs (and the reader comments) regarding The Great Comment Debate and it seems at this point that most of us are pretty much on the same page, whether we know it or not.
Cancun Canuck made a very convincing argument for comments cementing the blogger/reader relationship. La Gringa in Honduras pointed out the fact that she never said that EVERY comment should be answered. Theresa in Merida said something similar. Isla Gringo Wayne started freaking out and frantically trying to answer every comment. I apparently irked some people with my “keeping score” remark, and I suppose maybe it was a little overly dramatic, but it is what I thought of when I read that some people stop reading blogs when the blogger doesn’t answer their comments.
I didn’t debate this to defend myself against anything; I DO answer most of my comments and get, in my biased-as-hell opinion, some of the best readers around. Since it seemed to me the subject was brought up to open a dialogue about comments/blogging, I thought it was ok to participate and throw in my take on it. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading ALL the differing points of view, as well as the interesting feedback from the various blogs’ readers (from both bloggers and non-bloggers!). Special shout-out to Nancy in Mazatlan!
The thing is, we are ALL right. And we’re alright, too. No man is an island. Blogging obviously isn’t just about the blogger or else it would just be a locked diary. I know you, you know me, one thing I can tell you is you got to be free.
And all that.
So now I’m a freak for trying to be nice? Just kidding. What has really tickled me during all of this is that some people who never respond to a comment are now saying that they answer every one! I decided that on my blog I would start June 1 and answer every single comment for a month. And I am exhausted already! Maybe I should just post pictures this month. Oops! Too late.
By: wayne on June 5, 2008
at 1:28 pm
No, I said you were “freaking out,” which is different from being a freak.
You’re a freak just because you’re a freak. Hee hee…I love you, man!
By: heatherinparadise on June 5, 2008
at 1:31 pm
This topic is freaking ME out… I have 100′s of relatives… okay, three… who are regular blog readers of mine who NEVER leave a comment… they don’t blog either… I think they’re lucky to click on a link successfully, truth be told…
I’ll just continue what I’ve been doing… comment as the comments strike me… both the blog comments and the comments on the comments… there!
By: charmarie221 on June 5, 2008
at 2:05 pm
OMG!! LOL!! I read this post and all I could think of were the late 70′s “I’m OK You’re OK” and “Free To Be You and Me” *giggles*
BTW- We got to watch that movie for the last day of school every year all the way through 5th grade!
By: lisaloveloca on June 5, 2008
at 3:11 pm
Awww, thanks for the shout out. I thought about discussing it on my blog but thought there was probably enough discussion elsewhere where I could chime in.
Now it’s time for us to all think about playful topics to blog about, and I have a goodie hopefully by the weekend! (more pictures needed, darn)
I am reading the Emily Gould article – loved the tip – from Jillian to you in your …..COMMENTS!
HA.
By: Nancy on June 5, 2008
at 3:20 pm
Well, “ought 8″ was great, what’s up for ’09? We should do this more often.
Group hug please!
By: CancunCanuck on June 5, 2008
at 3:52 pm
I commented on your blog because I CAN. It’s wordpress!!! I keep forgetting my pswd.with Bogger/Google and then they have that #$%&! word thing and I just give up. I did think fo a while that Wayne just didn’t like my comments. LOL So Kelly and Wayne I read you every day but I am only able to comment here with the Amish Mafia LOL
By: beanie on June 6, 2008
at 7:25 am
Beanie: on Wayne and Kelly’s blogs, can’t you do the “word verification” thing and enter in your email address/name? That’s what I do.
By: heatherinparadise on June 6, 2008
at 9:14 am
I’ve been reading along and I had to really think about it. When I first started journaling years ago, I answered everyone one even if it was just a “thank you”. Now though, I only reply when I have something to say. I like the last sentence of this post very much – it sums it up perfectly.
By: Kristy Nuttall on June 6, 2008
at 11:31 am
Thanks Kristy…I was surprised to find that this issue was a real uproar and that I’ve apparently offended a couple of folks.
I enjoyed the topic greatly, it was a great learning experience for me. But I’m glad it’s over now. Phew.
By: heatherinparadise on June 6, 2008
at 1:03 pm
Well, if you live long enough you get answers. I’m such a blogtard that I’ve never been sure it was okay to answer comments. I was afraid I would get accused of padding the numbers.
I have a big bloggity crush on you by the way, and it’s not just because you actually registered on my website.
By: elliott joachim on August 5, 2008
at 12:55 pm
Well it’s good somebody loves me…there’s someone in this little Latin American blog circle who is still clearly PISSED at me about that whole comment debacle.
By: heatherinparadise on August 5, 2008
at 1:08 pm