Today, I decided to do some internet research...
The reason for this research was because a blogger that I had been communicating with, basically dropped of the face of the Earth, and I had no idea why. You see, I have about a handful of blogs that I will read daily, and then there are about twenty/twenty-five that I frequent every week. These are my go-to blogs. The ones that I absolutely love reading. For all the rest, I rely on my Bloglovin. But my blog reading habits are not the basis of this post, and I shouldn't even have to justify them.
What is the basis of this post, is what happened when I decided to Google said blogger, and was introduced into the world of blogger-bashing forums (my definition). Basically a lot of shit was said about this blogger, and she had had enough. She closed up shop, deleted her social media, and became a ghost again, due to all the mean and assine comments people were making about her and her blog.
Ok, I'm not here to side with or defend anyone, because I wasn't there, and I was never one of the people that was supposedly screwed over by her, but I truly thought that blogging was supposed to be about building community, not tearing people down and acting like we are in high school again. And yeah, I guess you can say that I drank the water, and my delusional state of riding around on unicorns that shit rainbows is growing out of control.
After reading a couple pages of the forums, I decided to Google this here blog. To my knowledge, nothing bad has ever been said about me or my blog- but then again, I really don't think that I give people anything to bitch about. And I am happy for that.
But back to what I was saying... I thought blogging was about individuality, kindness, sharing knowledge, making friends, being real, supporting, and so much more. I DIDN'T think it was about hurtful comments, being mean, tearing people down, talking behind someone's back, being an asshole, etc. etc. I mean, if you don't like someone's blog, keep it to yourself. Don't be an ass and broadcast your comments all over the internet. That's just rude. No one is making you read someone else's blog. Believe it or not, I actually read a comment referring to a blog friend of mine, in which the writer said that she and her friend had just read the blog to make fun of the writer. Ok, that is mean, and hurtful. Would you really want someone saying that about your blog?
Sure, if people are making comments about you and your blog, and you have some pretty thick skin, you can ignore them. BUT for some people, it's not that easy. In a really messed up way, blogger-bashing forums are just another way to bully someone, except in this case and point, the bullies don't use their real names. Cowards.
I could go on, but I'm going to choose not to.
Moral of the post: Don't be an asshole.
I know what you're talking about... And while I agree with you that blogging should be about friendship, community, and individuality, there is more to the story here than you mentioned. The blogger in question actually straight up stole content from other people - posted their blogs and pictures on her own page, watermarking their photos as if they were hers, and copying their content word-for-word. She should answer for that. It's never, ever acceptable to steal someone else's work in the way that she did, and even if everything else were all fine and dandy (which it wasn't, but that's another story), the fact that she consistently stole the work of others and pretended it was her own is unacceptable. Refusing to allow her to just "get away" with behavior like that isn't bashing, or purposely bringing her down - it's calling someone on their sh*t and requiring them to be accountable for their actions.
ReplyDeleteNow, the forum thread absolutely got a little out of hand, no question about that. There was some actual "blogger bashing" happening, and I don't condone that either. I just wanted to point out the fact that there is a lot more to the story than what was mentioned here, more than what was mentioned on the thread, and more than anyone who isn't the blogger will ever know. I feel bad for the people she stole from, and even though before all this went down, I followed her as well, I can't say I'm disappointed that she is gone at the moment. If she were to come back, admit all her wrongdoing, and start over as only herself, standing on her own two feet with her own thoughts and talents, I'd be willing to give her another chance. But she has disappointed, offended, and straight up swindled a lot of people, and that is never okay, even in the anonymous world of the internet.
Just my two cents on the topic. :)
I don't know who you are talking about, but having been in and exposed to 'the blogosphere' for going on 7 years I can attest that people can be wonderful, helpful, friendly and encouraging . . . but on that same token so many like to hide behind the 'protection' of their screen to bash, belittle, berate and even harass other bloggers because of what they write. That isn't ok. I totally agree with this post.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly who you are talking about and it really hurt me also. It also hurts that I can't reach out to her and say I'm sorry they are being A-holes. It just makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteSo a couple of weeks ago, I discovered a website that is 100% dedicated to basically people getting on and saying the meanest stuff about bloggers. It BLOWS my mind that people can be so mean - and it seems really counterproductive. AH, I wish we all could get along!
ReplyDelete