I saw this cartoon in the New Yorker Magazine, and I laughed. It's true, isn't it? It seems everyone has a blog nowadays. All you have to do is sign up with Google Blogger, et voila! you can get started. And there are so many types of blogs -- crafting blogs, photography blogs, family blogs, funny blogs, slice-of-life blogs, political blogs ... the list goes on. Someone once asked me what I thought constituted a good blog. Well, gosh, I have no idea. I prefer current affair blogs where people talk about ideas and recent events, either in the world or in their own lives. Other folks prefer photography blogs, and yet others blog with folks who like to do crafts. I do know that the number of comments a blog receives is not an accurate indication of whether that blog is good or not. It just means that particular blogger has reached more people; the more people you visit, the more people will visit you back. And I have noticed a trend lately of people finding ways to link the whole internet back to their blogs -- awards, badges, Mr. Linky, Mute Monday, Tongue-tied Tuesday ... what-have-you. What will happen when folks run out of days of the week? I personally prefer blogs that are organic, and stand on their own merits, but that's just my opinion. Everyone has a different idea.
And that brings me to my question: Is blogging a social network? What do you think? Should blogging be a reciprocal activity? Do you feel disappointed if you comment on someone's blog, and they don't comment back on yours right away? I often wonder about that, because I get so many new, wonderful visitors, and I don't always have time to reciprocate. I am always thrilled to bits when people comment on my Have a fabulous Sunday, everyone.
Cheers,
27 comments:
What a great and funny post! You made me laugh out loud...Thanks for sharing the cartoons with us. Oh, and bu the way, blogs like yours; genuine and down-to-earth, are the kind I like.
You made me giggle. I so agree. Love the last cartoon in particular!
Yes, your blog is one of my favorites, and I only recently discovered you. Sometimes I will comment numerous times on someone's blog, but if they don't even come over to say hello, I eventually stop following them. I tend to shy away from people with as many followers as you have, but I can't resist, and plus we're neighbors, with me just across the border to your south!
*revently bowing head and clasping hands, gets down on knees and whispers* Please, Dear God, let there be leftovers!
*out loud* Mulligatawny Monday, here I come?!
P.S. Call me an itty-smitchy blog infant, but, yes, I AM a cry baby, as my blog comments-flow remains a stagnant, mere trickle...
Your friend,
Boo Hoo dee Hoo Hoo Farkle~~~~~* (LOL!)
P.P.S. "Leftovers"? "Remains"? Hmm. I smell a perfect transition coming on: your blog remains to be my favorite reading, here, at Bloggerville!
I think that any blog that seems to generate from the person's interests, heart, views, passions--that makes a good blog. I enjoy reading a variety--from personal, to reflective, to creative, to political. You know I love yours... and I just try not to notice how many followers I have or haven't. But I DO think it is important to visit and catch up with those who bother to comment on mine. Most of the time I wind up following their blogs and learning so much that way. I tend to avoid those with lots of ads and links all over the place, but even there? Not consistent. And it IS social, too. I have had very REAL, non-virtual help in here.
Blogging would be so much easier if the rest of life didn't keep getting in the way. I happen to like these blogging conversations that you and some others get us started with. I wish I could spend more time engaging in them. I don't skip yours, because I think you are one of the cyber godmothers. I hope you're not offended by that designation.
I loved the cartoons! and your blog as always is FAR from boring more like food for thought. Especially with mention of stew!!
I love reading insights into peoples lives and I love it when they come visit my blog. I comment on blogs all over the place if whats been written moves me. Im honored when they stop by mine and check it out but I sure don't EXPECT them too.
If you have leftovers Jo, you could make it Leftover Monday and that would tie in beautifully with how I usually feel on Mondays: Leftover from the weekend! (giggle)
Jo, I love reading your blog because its always fun and timely. I started my blog as a personal project with no expectation of anyone else ever reading it. I tend to follow people's blog rolls and comment when I feel like I have something intelligent to add. I love when people comment on my blog, but I never expect them too.
I stand with your preference for blogs that exist on their own merit. It's usually obvious when people are leaving comments to my posts just so I'll visit theirs -- not the thoughtful comments I really love that constitute a real exchange of ideas, but a kind of tag team generic comment.
I also grew tired of awards while grateful for the ones I received, and stopped posting new ones to my page. I have fewer readers than I used to, but it's that old quality vs quantity thing. I really, really like the people who visit me.
hi Jo..
don't worry if you can't comment back..with that number of followers, you can't possibly reciprocate everytime...
you always have something to write about and that's what makes your blog great.
have a great day!
I enjoy a lot of different type of blogs. I love it when folks come - & especially when they comment - but have to admit that i'm not always so good at that myself. Some places i'm more comfortable doing it.
I comment more here than other places. Maybe, probably mostly, because you write on things that speak to me. I don't expect reciprocation (tho i love it!) but do appreciate that you often respond to folks' comments here. Think i need to do that more often, but i'm slow to do so.
You have such a warm, homey blog, Jo, & write on such interesting things, & make folks feel so welcome. YOUR blog fits the adjective of "good" because you do such a good job of having folks respond & relate.
I notice while I am out there cruising that there so many blogs I would like to follow, but I can't keep up. It is a wonderful thing but does get to be overwhelming. I wonder if God would give out prizes once in a while and create new things for us to see.
Mmmmm... LOVE lamb stew! If I weren't in TN I'd take up your offer! LOL
Love the cartoons and wish i could have some of that souper soup!
Aloha from Hawaii my Friend!
Comfort Spiral
your cartoons made me chuckle..."why should
i, i don't even like you!"
i think you hit the nail right on the head.
had a conversation with my sweet husband just
today explaining to him that i had wasted a lot
of time "following and commenting" on blogs
that don't really interest me much.
from now on, i will focus on what interests me.
i always love to see what's going on here,
and if you like current events, you might
try the "black conservative" blog for an unusual
viewpoint.
have a lovely week,
lea
I tend to comment whether or not the person ever comes to visit me. I do, however, feel that visiting those who are new to ones blog is the polite thing to do. It is a bit frustrating to comment numerous times on someone's blog and never have them stop in just to see who I might be...Might I say that I am certainly not referring to you! Thank you for the times you have stopped in and the lovely comments you have made. And please do not take this as a solicitation for another visit. I've recently given birth and my brain cells are not functioning properly; I'd say my posts are a bit lacking:)
Sometimes I think I would like to find more interesting blogs and then sometimes I can barely keep up with few that I have found. I blog mostly for my own personal journal keeping, and don't really try to get any visitors. But somehow I have managed to have some fellow bloggers find me. I think it would be fun to have a talent for writing that others would enjoy. It seems you do have that talent Jo, because you have lots of visitors. Your blog is very interesting.....keep up the good work!
kikiv68, thank you for the fabulous compliment. My goodness! :-)
Bonnie, yes, *heh* It's wonderful, isn't it?
Djan, and I'm glad you found me. And yes, sometimes we can get lost in the crowd on some folks' blogs.
Sparkle, you're welcome to come over to my house anytime for Mulligatawny Soup. :-)
Jeanette, yes, the blogs that are sincere and from the heart are always the best, aren't they? I agree!
Bruce, I love being a cyber Godmother. Thank you! And yes, I wish I had more time for some of the conversations too.
Natural Girl, oh, gosh, yes, I wish I had more time to visit some blogs, especially some of the new and fresh ones.
Anna, *heh* Monday, Monday... Oh, yes, Mondays...
Katy, you happen to have one of the good new blogs that the whole world should discover!
Susan, yes, some folks get caught up in the numbers rather than the content, and you just know they aren't actually reading anything. It's true, isn't it?
Deandean, I am always happy to see your comments on my blog. I wish I had more time to visit my favorite blogs!
Kathryn, oh, my goodness, thank you! I'm always so happy to see your cute avatar on my blog. :-)
L.D., Yes, I don't know how some bloggers do it. They mustn't have lives...! Blogging is almost a full-time job.
Teri, beam yourself over. We'll have lamb stew and a nice bottle of wine. :-)
Cloudia, c'mon over and have some...!
Lea, you have one of the best blogs in the blogosphere, and I love visiting you and your Letters to Emily. What an interesting concept.
Whitney, CONGRATULATIONS! I will be over to visit you to get news of your new little addition.
Brenda, there are blogs out there that get upwards of 80 to 100 comments a day. I have no possible idea how they do it!
I can do with more comments on my blog, but through Google Analytics I do see how many hits I had every day. But comments is like an award and when I only get 2 or 3 I am do feel very sad and disappointed. I have the blogs that I regularly follow and when I go to somebody's blog I do try to comment every time. It's like leaving a calling card. But I don't have time to sit and visit and comment on more blogs than I do every day. Already it takes too much of my time. On the other hand, not all visitors to my blog are bloggers. Some are my friends who find it through my Facebook profile while others find it when searching for information on the internet.
As a relatively new blogger, I'm still struggling with a lot of this. I think the idea of having a daily theme might help with the chore of coming up with something new to write every day, but it also hinders the flow of life that most of us write about. Like all creative ventures, it's a process, and a fun one at that. I enjoy your variety of topics and your point of view. This is probably the only non-knitting blog I read regularly.
Jo, you always make me think! Like you I don't always have the time to comment. This time of year I don't have time to blog!! The Land of Blog is indeed massive and has become my reading material of choice.
While it is true that when I leave a comment, I am expecting a comment back on my blog; it does not necessarily mean that I would never visit you back just because you did not comment back. As long as I am attracted by the title, I will read. When I get attracted by the content, I will comment :)
Well Jo, I am CERTAIN that I live in your real life neighbourhood, so do let me know if you have any leftovers... I've run out of food inspiration for the day!
Ciao
Don't forget Wordless Wednesday and Speechless Sunday.
If God had a blog would he post recipes? I'm guessing movie reviews. "I say unto ye that Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty hath spoke verily and I really outdid myself when I made Jennifer Aniston. What a babe."
I think blogs are a social network in many ways. Some people will only comment on yours if you comment on theirs. I don't think there should be any obligation. I comment if I want to and will do so whether that person even knows mine exists or not.
That chicken cartoon is great.
Hahaha, I love that last little cartoon. I don't know about anyone else, but I have always loved to write and of course as a child dreamed of becoming a writer. Having a blog makes me feel that I fulfilled that dream somewhat.
As far as expectation of others who comment on my blog, it's interesting what posts people like and comment on and what posts really interest me and were fun for me to research and write and no one comments. But thats ok, I write for me and if others enjoy it that's just the icing on the cake.
I'm finally catching up myself after three plus weeks of non-stop drama. Loved the cartoon and had great flashbacks over "Mulligatawny Stew" - haven't had that since kid days! - Delicious - you've given me inspiration to make some!
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