“Didn’t You Read My Blog?” The heinous question…
links/websites, personal April 8th, 2008Not exactly a geek-related post, but after all this is my blog … so I think its fair game.
Y’know, in recent months one of the most offensive questions I’ve heard is, “Didn’t you read my blog?” Now part of the offensiveness comes from the delivery. Imagine it’s being asked by someone very incredulously and the tone of their voice suggests what they really mean is, “I’m not going to respond to you! I’ve already blogged on that very topic. You should already know my thoughts on this issue. How dare you not read my blog! It’s the most important thing on Earth! It reveals my innermost thoughts which I’m allowing you and the rest of the world to be privy to! If you haven’t read my blog than this face-to-face conversation is meaningless!” … well … that’s a rough translation of the subtext behind the delivery of, “Didn’t you read my blog?” Its worth noting that the phrase “Obviously you don’t read my blog,” has basically the same effect.
For those of you that have ever uttered that question/accusation, please continue…
From dictionary.com
blog - noun
an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web pagedi•a•ry - noun
a daily record, usually private, esp. of the writer’s own experiences, observations, feelings, attitudes, etc.
Okay, that seems pretty clear. A blog is an online record of the writer’s own experiences, observations, and feelings. Therefore a blog is typically something very personal. So if a blog is personal, it’s really about the writer… not the reader. That leads me to believe that a blogger should be publishing simply for their own personal satisfaction. They should not be publishing because they expect every person they’ve ever met to read their blog and take it to heart.
Therefore, just because you have a blog it doesn’t make it required reading for all your friends. And don’t be surprised or act condescending when you find out someone you know doesn’t read your blog. You should publish your blog for yourself, and if someone reads it then celebrate! That’s great! Thank them for reading your blog and move on with your day. It also doesn’t mean they should be expected to leave you a comment every time you post. I subscribe to many of my friends blogs, I read many of the entries (but not all), I enjoy them thoroughly, but I may not don’t bother to comment.
So next time you find yourself in a conversation and it seems to be re-treading something you already blogged about, please don’t ask the person, “Didn’t you read my blog?” Why not say something like, “That’s interesting. I wrote a blog on this very topic.” See, doesn’t that sound nicer?
There you have it. Don’t expect people to read your blog. Just be happy if they do.
/rant
*Whew* I’m glad I got that out of my system. Now I won’t have to hear that question ever again. Well… y’know… because all my friends read my blog, right? 
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April 8th, 2008 at 8:25 am
I turmp all that you said by saying: “You don’t get to determine the purpose of my blog.”
Everyone uses their blogs differently. Some, like yourself meticulously craft your posts, adding pictures and links and scripting it out. Other’s just throw their thoughts into the blog, not even bothering to spell check (me). Some, like Steagus, are using it as a means to chronicle their life.
When someone says “You didn’t read my blog, did you?” they mean: If you really cared, you would spend time reading that thing that I am using as a means of communication. But you didn’t, so screw you.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:59 am
First, thanks for reading my blog, and thanks for the comment!
I agree that a blog can be anything to anyone. I also really enjoyed that you misspelled “trump”.
I guess I feel that if there are burning thoughts you feel are important enough that you “expect” your friends who care to read, you could e-mail that to them. That way they come directly to them.
Otherwise, by putting on a Blog, you are assuming your friends check your website or subscribe to your RSS. Essentially, you are making them seek out your important feelings, rather than sharing them directly with them.
That’s just my take on it.
Shag
April 8th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I couldn’t agree more!
I heard this very comment from another writer the other day. Needless to say I hadn’t read her blog in some time, and I won’t again until the need takes me. If she couldn’t just take the time to let me know her thoughts. It’s not as if that would have been too hard, but she expected me to dutifully go off and read her comments.
A few months ago someone asked me ‘What did you think of The Golden Compass?’ to which I replied, “Read my review!”
And then I instantly regretted it. Not only does it slash human interaction to pieces, it raises the blatant issue of narcissism but we have to ask why we take it for granted that anyone reads out my blogs / columns / journal at all…
April 8th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I responded to this post but it’s at my blog, so you’ll have to go there to read it.
Just kidding.
Don’t know if I have ever done this, but you are absolutely right.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
So we just read a post about not telling people to read posts. You were just trying to be meta, weren’t you? Next thing you know your blogger self will meet your real self only later on to have your real self killed as a joke in an issue of Suicide Squad. And people will say, “What, you didn’t read that issue?” And you’ll say…nothing, because you’ll be dead.
So there’s that to look forward to, anyway…
April 8th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I assume most people don’t read my blog, because I can’t really spell philosophically, and I’m not sure it’s right. Besides that, you should have read every blog post I’ve ever written. Or not.
What I enjoy most is when someone brings up a thought I had posted on my blog, and we have a conversation. It’s sort of like a throw back.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Todd: I know exactly what you mean. And it’s funny you should say “It’s sort of like a throw back.” That’s how my mother always describes me.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Wow! Thanks for all the comments! I’m not sure what to be more shocked about… First, that both Todd (son of Todd’s Mom) and the Great & Powerful Widge read my blog today … or Second, that someone besides me remembers that John Ostrander killed the Grant Morrison “Writer” from Animal Man in the Suicide Squad comic. Yikes!
Seriously, thanks for reading.
The Irredeemable Shag
April 9th, 2008 at 10:43 am
not bad for an FSU grad.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
If only we could all take out our grievances on Grant Morrison in such a fine method.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:32 am
LOL!