Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Love and Discontent in the Garden of Blogging

On any given day in the Blog-o-Sphere one can find witty posts, beautiful photographs, thoughtful commentary, hilarious graphics and videos, charming gardens and homes, things that inspire, good cooking--in other words, many marvelous wonders.  On this same day, though, one may encounter distasteful subjects, questionable facts, insulting satire, blog bashing and trolling, rude comments, racist remarks--in other words, many unpleasant experiences.

Obviously, one steers clear of those blogs that offend or distress (or in some cases bore). Sometimes though these blogs come to you by way of comments left or from seeing a blog on another's  blog list. I enjoy blog hopping and will look at blog lists and click and roam. Finding a new enjoyable blog is satisfying. Stumbling into a blog that is full of disharmony and muck is not. If someone I don't know leaves a comment on my blog, I like to click on their name and see what their blog is all about. Sometimes this is successful, other times not so much. I think most of us bloggers do this sort of thing; that's part of what blogging is about, meeting new people and reading interesting stuff.

Sometimes, there are brouhahas. A favorite blogger comes under attack. These things happen. Loyal followers gather around and stand up for their friend. Occasionally it gets way out of hand.  Or there is a controversial post that garners strong reactions, both positive and negative. How much one involves oneself in these events is a personal choice.

Rules of etiquette are often ignored in the blog world. This runs the gamut from name calling and petty squabbling to more serious offenses such as plagiarism and stalking. Just as in the "real world", there are all types of people in blogging and you will run into a wide variety.

I am saying all of this as I have recently come across several instances of what I think of as negative blogging. Some are intentional, some are not. It makes one leery of straying too far from the familiar fold. Unfortunately, there have been a couple of incidents in my regular "stomping grounds" as well. You can ditch and run, or roll up your sleeves and participate. There are consequences though. Integrity can be lost, as well as the trust that has been built up between bloggers. It is up to each individual blogger to make the choice. Hopefully it will be a worthy decision. Choose your battles wisely.

On the flip side though, love is strong and flowing in bloggerville. Friends and strangers both answer the clarion call for help. Yesterday, a blogging friend made a plea for prayers and healing and many answered. It's a beautiful thing.

Blogging is a satisfying adventure. There are negatives, but there are many positives, too.  You get back what you put into it. Just like in the real world.






15 comments:

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

As you have said, it is always a mixed bag here in the blogosphere. But changing back to the good side only, you are a darling for stirring up help for Khloe and Danni and all the family. That's what keeps me blogging is the community of help and love that I hold dear. Thanks BB, Oma Linda

Wendy S. said...

Beautifully written and full of wisdom.

Anonymous said...

Very well said sister! I don't get involved with "blog wars" either. If it's a friend I care about I offer them my ear and a shoulder, but that's all they get. You can't help your friend heal while tearing down someone else. Though, on occasion, I do use my blog to vent about injustices I see in the world I try to make it constructive and more look for a way to heal the situation.

LOVE!!

Anonymous said...

So true!
A good thing with WordPress is that no new person that comments gets posted unless I approve it.
And if I put the dart over that persons blog name I'll get a preview of what's written there.
That makes it so easier to blog to be honest.

Have a great day!
Christer.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Sometimes the blogosphere is not for the faint of heart, it's true. I try to avoid chronically negative blogs/posts for the most part. After all, blogging is supposed to be a fun pastime!

Magaly Guerrero said...

I doubt I have to tell you how I feel about this. Last year, after a blog party, two (after a while many) individuals went at it after one made a horrible comment about the other. Things got so ugly that I stop following both bloggers. There are some things I don't want in my life, and that kind of negative energy is one of them.

We all get angry. You've often read my rants/reactions when it comes to abuse, but you are right, some tact is needed and a bit of respect as well. Just like in real life, some issues are best dealt with behind closed doors.

You know, and I should probably tell you this more often, your words have always filled me with a kind of tranquility that I wish you would bottle and send my way ;-)

Many hugs!

Magic Love Crow said...

Well said my friend ;o) I am behind you with everything you have said 100% ;o) Big Hugs ;o)

Jeanne said...

Great post! The Blogosphere is full of good, bad and otherwise. But I liken bloghopping to watching TV, if you don't like what you see, just change the channel or click to another blog. And very wise words..."Choose your battles wisely."

Lady Caer Morganna said...

You can say THAT again, my friend! So far, I have only come across one instance of such happenings. A friend of mine was being attacked on her very own blog for being a Buddhist! Can you beleive it? Seriously? The subsequent comments left on one of her posts got so personal that it came down to "Christian good - anything else bad!" and " all of our founding fathers were Christian" crap! HA, right.

I finally had had enough and ended up (with honor in tact) quoting some of our (agnostic) founding fathers! After that, it all just stopped! Thank Goddess. ;)

It is never any fun sitting back and watching someone you care about and, in that case knew personally for many years before her blog, get attacked so badly.

I totally agree with everything you have said, Robin. We must all pick and choose our battles carefully.

Hugs,

Kim

Aine O'Brien said...

It takes strength to rise above this stuff - just as it does in the "real world." There are some who will use any area to try to get attention, usually at the expense of others.

I believe blogs are like speech -free except for when it's used to attack others.

I get a little discouraged at time about blogs, but then I think about blogging and how much I get out of it and I realize that you have to take the bad with the good. and there is a lot of good here too.

but yeah....sometimes....*sigh*

Anonymous said...

I really like the point you got across here my friend!

Jeanette said...

Well said. Love your post. Hugs,

AkasaWolfSong said...

Wise words from a very wise woman!!!

Brightest of Blessings Robin...

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Well put! I steer clear of anything that is negative or hurtful to anyone or myself. There is too much negativity in this world already, I will not play in those reindeer games!!!

Have a splendid day!

Anonymous said...

Such words of wisdom, sweet Robin. I cannot agree more. Rarely, but it has happened, I will see a post that I cannot agree in controversy on a blog that I follow and genuinely enjoy. At those times, I just skip it and move on. No need to get all huffy. As you said, we all must choose our battles. That is one thing I love about blogging. I have (so far at least) managed to stay clear of negative areas. We can be where we choose at any time. Now I LOVE and ADORE visiting you, with no exceptions. ;-)