Do You Speak Up?
A few
weeks ago, I was scanning my blog list and came across a popular
blogger's advice post. I rarely comment there because most of the posts
are meant for people looking for the basics. Still, I usually read it
briefly to see if there's any meat on the bone that could be useful to
me.
I
was surprised when the blogger gave what I felt was erroneous advice.
It wasn't terrible, it'll-kill-your-career advice, but it was a little
amateurish, especially from this blogger.
My
first instinct was to challenge the statement, but in the end I decided
against it. First of all, I was busy and the advice as I said, wasn't
detrimental, just short-sighted. Secondly, the blogger is popular and I
didn't have time to spar with all the blog buddies who'd feel the need
to support the blogger.
Lately,
it seems if you speak out against a review, a statement, a philosophy,
or the color of the sky, you don't just take on the person taking that
stand, but his gang too.
It makes me feel like you can no longer have a difference of opinion without having a lawyer present, and that's kind of sad.
Have
you ever corrected someone who gave erroneous information? Given the
current argumentative climate of the internet, do you think you speak
out as much as you used to when someone has an opposing view?
***
On Back to Basics: This week, I talked about adjusting your attitude about spending and why it's okay to hoard. Yes, I talked about hoarding! Bwahaha.
And don't forget, when you comment, Like, retweet, or mention Back to Basics or The Frugal Way Facebook page, you rack up points for the giveaway at the end of the month.
Stop
by and chat. Recommend it to your friends--cuz that counts too. Oh, and
if you already Like the FB page, could you let me know in the comments
if it's coming through on your timeline? I can't tell from my vantage
point.
In
the past, I haven't always gotten updates from other people's Facebook
pages and I'm not sure if it's a Facebook snafu or a step I was missing.
Some people's pages come through fine, but others I have to physically
go to the page to see updates. Does anyone know why that happens?
Comments
Luckily I've never gotten into any arguments about it.
I do have a couple sensitive points that will cause me to challenge a post. Luckily, I don't run into those very often.
I have noticed this 'ganging up' trend, not so much with blog comments, but just with any comments. Last night on the news, they movie reviewer said a reviewer for Rotten Tomatoes got slammed big time from fans of the new Dark Knight series. It was so bad, the web site had to turn off comments. :(
It's a matter of, is it worth it to weather the ensuing shit storm? No. I have bigger fish to fry, and while I can handle the online bullying that grown folks seem so eager to engage in, I don't see the point in giving them a new asshole to tear.
The last time I spoke up was a little over a year ago when I saw this one author brag about this one publisher and tell everyone that they should sub only there because that pub is the best. I knew for a fact that the pub wasn't selling and their authors were only making less then $10 a year, and that their authors got no support from the publisher. In that one case I felt like I needed to stand up so that some authors wouldn't make the mistake of going with that press.
REF: Facebook
Facebook only allows a small amount of people to see your page newsfeed. They have set it up where they want you to pay for more people to see it. The Frugal Way shows up in my news feeds like once every couple of months.
***
Linda: Yeah, I have my flashpoint topics too. There are certain lines you don't cross with me. I'm all mild mannered and sweet until you push my buttons. LOL!
I also do not feel the need to correct other bloggers as I feel each blog is mostly opinion. If they have a large fan base, then maybe they are more entertaining than they are saturated with helpful facts.
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Renee: What annoys me is that the blogger or original speaker making the point does nothing to corral the rowdier ones.
Though I have seen a few classy authors stop the abusers. They stay on my radar because I admire people who can tell the difference between discussion and flaming.
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Dru: I'm with you. If it's not going to make a difference to that discussion, I don't bother.
Although it's the author's responsibility to be thorough and correct, it's up to the individual not to pander to a mob mentality. No matter what's said, we should analyze the points for ourselves rather than follow blindly.
Ref Facebook, I have no idea why some friends appear on a regular basis and others don't. My page is basically an overgrown thicket
Ref: publishers
I am always suspect when someone crows "too" much about any one thing.
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Diane: In the blog I witnessed, it passes itself off as an authority, which is why the misinformation caught my eye. But you're right, some do it for entertainment. I just hope the readers know that. ;-)
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Mike: I don't see your profile all that often. At first, I thought it was because we were in different time zones, but now I think it's Facebook mucking up the works.
When I blog, I try to check my information, but in the past when I've gotten a fact wrong and a reader pointed that out, I've corrected it.
As a blog reader, I usually weigh the information I take in.
http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2012/07/so-long-and-thanks-tribute-to-ray.html
A very knowledgeable agent once wrote a blog post that contained an actual error, like, "You must do X because that's the standard!" But any search of "the standard" turned up Y instead of X. Several comments pointed this out, but she ignored them. Several comments clearly intended to get on her good side said she could have whatever she wanted, even after others argued that clearly she could have whatever she wanted, but she had no right to call it the standard. It was small, as tempests in teacups go, but it was still frustrating.
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Barbara: Troublemaker. :)
I think I remember that kerflaffle with that agent. Her goof went viral--as many agent goofs tend to go when they're caught 'misquoting'.
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Mike: Thanks for reminding me of lists. I used to do lists back when FB did something that severely limited whose timeline I could follow. It might be time to bring out the old list again. I don't like being dictated to on who I should be reading.
Saves me and the person who wrote the post stress and angst, I hope!
Maria FB and I have mostly parted company. I simply no longer care or have the time to try to make sense of the crazy site, my posts appear as updates and certain other things that I have linked with as well but other than that it is just "there".
FB is really pressing my buttons. Why can't they just leave it alone?
I try not to give advice on writing. Although I'm published I don't see it gives me the right to tell other people how. I do however share my experiences and what works for me, but I never say you should...
As for speaking out. We all have different opinions, even different tastes in reading. If I don't like a novel I don't do a review. :)
Facebook seems a law unto itself. I have no idea.
I'm curious as to the blog/blogger and the advice.
As for your support of not spending and instead, 'hoarding'...I like it! I've been working on getting back to basics myself! It's too easy to spend just because it's easier. Because of this, I've been able to take two trips to the ocean so far this year with my kids - and three trips to see my daughter in Maryland. Sure, it takes a little time and effort - but these are well worth the benefits. By sharing expenses with another family - buying food and packing a cooler rather than eating out - and sticking to free activities - I saved a bundle! Love Back To Basics, Maria!
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Shelley: Face to face is best. There are not enough emoticons to state the subtleties.
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Pat: The mob mentality is alive and well on the internet. They're not quite so brave when someone is in their face.
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Shirley: They do fly off the handle faster online. I wonder if it's because they don't read the comment or post with a enough attention. As a rule, I don't think people go out of their way to be cruel. Some do of course, but I'd hate to think that's the majority.
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Nadja: Ref: misconstrued comment
See, this is why I think some people either don't read the whole post correctly, or else they're looking for insult where none is intended. I'm sorry that person took offense. I've been reading you for quite a while and I've never read anything in the least bit critical.
PS Glad you like Back to Basics!
Thank you so much for your compassionate comment today, Maria. It is very much appreciated.
Ref: Maybe write your own post that includes the correct information/ advice instead could be a compromise?
That is actually a very good idea. I've done it in the past, usually set several weeks or months later so as not to embarrass the original blogger.