Go to I WRITE, THEREFORE I AM
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- Go to Do you read bloggers who don't read you?
When you go to the bookstore, do you demand to see the author ...
before you buy the book?
I read quite a few blogs but seldom comment because of time constraints or because I have nothing to say. I have "met?" some great individuals on blogit and am interested in how certain bloggers view some events, but basically I use blogit as a form of journaling and venting. I am always honored and surprised when someone comments on one of my blogs.
posted by
fwmystic
on July 25, 2005 at 9:06 AM
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Yes I do Quirky
I read constantly; on line and off. I can't expect the authors of my favorite books, poetry, articles, etc. to become my friends and return the favor and I don't really expect it here either. If the writer touches me in some way with their work, that is reward enough. That said, I do appreciate having my posts read and cherish the bonds created on Blogit.
posted by
Katray2
on July 25, 2005 at 8:31 AM
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Sometimes insecurity gets the best of us.
Do you remember that childhood skipping game of double dutch?
It took a while to work up the nerve to jump between those two ropes and the timing needed to be perfect.
Sometimes it takes a bit to post a comment in someone's blog. Especially when that person has mostly friends reading it, you do feel like you are imposing. Or you are simply intimidated by the connection the other readers have with the blogger.
I've read a few of your posts and, though I've felt compelled to comment, I haven't.
I suppose now I've jumped in.
posted by
phonetic_semen
on July 24, 2005 at 9:27 PM
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Ol' buddy, ol' pal
count me in, girl... I read ya!
posted by
bettyboop1967
on July 24, 2005 at 3:54 PM
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quirky
what you're saying is true. sometimes i wonder,'do i smell?'
posted by
avant-garde
on July 24, 2005 at 1:54 PM
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I read those who read me, and I read many others. I usually do not comment
unless there is something that really stands out, well, that is quite often!
posted by
dejtemper
on July 24, 2005 at 1:39 PM
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*read and comment*
posted by
Renigade
on July 24, 2005 at 11:38 AM
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I get aggravated when I consistently read on a blogger--only to be
completely ignored by them. Throw me a freakin' bone, people! Good post.
posted by
Renigade
on July 24, 2005 at 11:37 AM
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All right, I'll answer. I was afraid the truth would impact my rankings!
I hope it won't! Yes, I read people who never read me. And I don't intend to stop because if I like what I am reading, I read it. That said, I do read some religiously to keep up with what is going on with their lives. If those did not occasionally read mine, I suppose I would stop or cut down since that reading is based more upon friendship.
Then there's that Quirky gal...I NEVER read her, she is just umm too quirky? 
posted by
FactorFiction
on July 24, 2005 at 8:09 AM
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i do the same
but i nearly always comment as i feel it polite to do so, but i only don`t do it if i had read something out of my depth or i have nothing to say nice. but it does become a little iritating if they read yours and don`t at least leave a little smiley face or something eeven critism wld be great. x
posted by
mcbreeze
on July 24, 2005 at 4:40 AM
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I sometimes read ppl who would hardly read me...
simply because i might find a topic that is of interest for me...
posted by
Marshallengraved
on July 24, 2005 at 4:37 AM
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I sometimes read without commenting, but not often. I have so many blogs in my favourites that, when I've finished reading all of them, I rarely have time to read any more. However there are times I try to find blogs that I haven't ever read, just to see what else is out there.
posted by
Ca88andra
on July 24, 2005 at 4:16 AM
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Exchange reading
I read your stuff because it so often has "guts" in it. It seems to me that you're drawing more readers than most of us--and you may have to be content with that. But, like you, I like to have readers comment on what I've done. Mine is a question-and-response feature, so I do depend on people to send in questions for me to handle. It will be a pleasure to hear from you.--WEN SMITH ("Ask the Wordsmith")
posted by
WenSmith
on July 24, 2005 at 1:10 AM
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Quirky
I think terpgirl wrote very well on how I feel about commenting in your blog. I read a lot of blogs that I don't comment in. I love for people to comment because I'm a real people person but I would be a real hypocrite if I said it bothered me when people read and don't comment, as plenty of people do..and it doesn't. I know that just like me, a lot of people are just reading and the fact that they don't comment doesn't mean anything one way or the other...I don't take it personally. Back to what terpgirl said so well about your blog...it is hard to say the right thing without risking sounding patronizing or canned. I can't even imagine going through what you and your family have gone through, and admire so much your willingness to share it with us. It is always a fascinating read...true life and all. I'll try to do better about commenting for you.
posted by
Krisles
on July 23, 2005 at 11:15 PM
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How can you tell if someone doesn't read you?
Sure I would prefer it if someone I read regularly reads me too. I have been in the situation here where I have read people who comment on me regularly and not really had anything to say to their post. It would feel false in those circumstances to try to create a comment when nothing comes to mind. You say you don't believe in tit for tat yet you say you stop reading people if they don't return the compliment-sounds like tit for tat.
I always read people who comment on me but comment only if I have the inclination or time.
I know you say it doesn't take much time to comment but if you post is popular it takes time just to read those people let alone return the compliment. I tend to take a long view. Everyone is busy and sometimes they have time to interact more and other times they don't
For my part it is about writing and reading. Besides if I read someone I am clicking which supports them too.
posted by
Azur
on July 23, 2005 at 10:48 PM
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quirky
I tend to read those that comment on me only because that's how I find them. Blogit is so huge, you can't read everyone. If someone comments, I usually check out their blogs to see if there's anything that sparks my interest. BUT, I also have my favorites that I will read whether they've read me or not.
posted by
-blackcat
on July 23, 2005 at 10:05 PM
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wow, well, this explains one thing about this place I'm not fond of...
I read who I like to read because they are good writers, make me laugh, I'm into their story, or for whatever reason. I have friends here that I read, of course, but they don't even always read me and one of them almost never comments when they do. Sometimes, if I want to keep up, I can read but I don't have time to comment since I read so slowly. I don't see it as a friendship, it's about supporting writing you like or reading something you like...like a magazine or a book. There are many people that don't read me at all but who I follow and comment, and have a good relationship with. It's about why you read to begin with, not the obligation of the author to do something back. I don't give obligatory clicks when people read me, because I would rather be read because something I wrote was good, or moved them, or something like that. But, that means, when I read someone, they know I read them because I like them and not because I feel like I have to because they clicked on me.
posted by
Temple
on July 23, 2005 at 7:59 PM
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Quirky
I don't know if I'd take that as a sign of a one-sided friendship in your case. I almost always leave comments when I read stuff here, and yet I may have only left one at yours---and I've read tons. Your stuff is very soul searching and weighty, and much of the time, I take it as a sense of you needed to sort through things through writing. In many ways, I have felt like a voyeur and it's almost like commenting --- letting it known that I read these very personal, heartfelt thoughts --- is almost intruding.
I'm not even sure that makes sense. I comment when things annoy me or when someone seems to be going through a temporary problem and need a little boost. Yours is so very personal, and even though you're sharing it very freely, I don't feel right commenting on it. It's your experience, and your way of seeing it, and that's it. For me to say anything about it is to put myself into a situation I've never walked in. It's the equivalent of those people who give you the line, "Time heals all wounds." I almost wish people wouldn't say that to me. I have to get that pasty smile on my face and bear it, so I try really hard not to do that to someone else. In your case, every time I've read and went to comment, I look at my words and think how very lame they sound and you don't need to be subjected to them.
Kim
posted by
terpgirl30
on July 23, 2005 at 7:35 PM
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As Ariala knows well
a catchy headline gets clicks.. I try to read those members that read and comment on what I have posted. So I do read those that read me.
posted by
StrickGold
on July 23, 2005 at 7:01 PM
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Quirky
I don't know what it is that makes me click where I click. It's not selectiveness. I'm a creature of habit, I think. I'm self-employed and I always have one eye on the clock, so I find myself blogging in time capsules. While I'm here, I end up clicking on a certain group that I've somehow become familiar with. I can't even remember how and when I became familiar with them, it was that gradual. I seem to increase my "clickership" inch by inch, though. Sometimes I click on them first, sometimes vice versa. Today I'm happy to make your acquaintance
posted by
Lensman
on July 23, 2005 at 6:58 PM
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Mystic--yes,
and some get more personal than others, lol.
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 5:38 PM
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Quirky
yes it is. This is personal, we give a great deal of ourselves here in this not so anonymous setting
posted by
MysticGmekeepr
on July 23, 2005 at 5:30 PM
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MW--
Yeah...August is a popular birthday for probably just that reason! Mine is the 20th--so you had it right, just the wrong month, lol.
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 5:28 PM
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Oh crap! Who's birthday was the 20th??? Now I really feel bad!!!! August what? Half of everyone I know is August. One of my girls the 3rd, Brother #2 (age wise) the 6th, Mother (whom I pretend I don't have) the 16th, brother #1 the 17th. Brother in law the 21st, his wife the 22nd, hubby the 23rd.
Seems December is a very cold month for my family LOL!
posted by
Bel_
on July 23, 2005 at 5:26 PM
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MysticG--
Yeah, see...that's what makes Blogit so different from newspapers, magazines, etc...it is more personal, written by "people" we come to know rather than just someone's name on a byline. Anyway, a few good friends are much better than a whole bunch of acquaintenaces, right?
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 5:24 PM
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MW--
You must have me confused with someone else...my birthday is in AUGUST!
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 5:22 PM
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Quirky,
I agree with you on that! By the way, wasn't your birthday the other day? I remember reminding myself to make a mental note....well, it seems those mental notes get misplaced. Happy belated birthday!
posted by
Bel_
on July 23, 2005 at 5:20 PM
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Military Wife--
Yeah, I'd make an exception for a situation like that as well...and though I don't expect tit for tat, if someone doesn't EVER comment to you, then you are just not reaching them on any level. My time is limited enough that I'd rather read those I have camaraderie with.
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 5:17 PM
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"I see Blogit as 80% about friendship, 20% about content."
thats for sure! :-) I have a very tiny readership and always have....so i guess i don't have many friends. But like all other areas of life the ones i have I enjoy and value so i continue to read them and post things with them in mind occassionally..."perhaps so and so might like this". I am slow, have had 6 surgeries on both arms, hands, elbows and shoulders, and my eyes get extremely tired so its hard for me to read very many people but I read a few almost daily, almost always try to comment and always answer comments left for me....i try to make things personanl so people will know that I am interested in them as people thru their writing...that they and what they say matter. There have been a couple people i stopped reading because they never read me, but usually what is most prohibitive for me is time and long blogs. I don't care how interesting they are hard for me. I'll read some but only a few. I read one poet all the time who never reads me:-) I really like this poetry!
posted by
MysticGmekeepr
on July 23, 2005 at 5:12 PM
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Quirky
I'm with you on this in general. There are a few that I let slide such as J.Wag given he is in the middle of a combat zone and I know how limited online time can be and what a pain in the butt the connection over there can be. Otherwise, in general I am here looking to enjoy a friendship with my fellow bloggers as well as be read. Most of us have more than one blog, it's hard to believe that we can't find at least one from most people that we might find interesting.
posted by
Bel_
on July 23, 2005 at 5:11 PM
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Tim--
I've just read MayB's latest post about not needing to comment...lol...--I'm sure that SHE won't agree with me...oh well it won't be the first time she and I have had to agree to disagree.
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 4:55 PM
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QUIRKY
A very good point!!
posted by
TIMMYTALES
on July 23, 2005 at 3:46 PM
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gypsy--
it's all well and good to read people without commenting, but if they
never know you were there, then IMO it's still a one-sided friendship. Like I said, I like to feel that someone is interested in what I have to say and if they are
never moved enough to comment...then they really aren't all that interested are they?
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 3:46 PM
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Scriber--
I went to comment on your post, and I'm BLOCKED!! Waa---
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 3:41 PM
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Quirky... it's a bit shortsighted.
I read a lot of people I don't comment on. I usually do not comment if I have nothing really to say to what I've read or nothing that is productive. I hate doing the "smiley face... I was here" comment. All that does is show that I resided in your comments for two seconds. Just like on scribers writings for instance, frankly, half the time I have nothing to say to it except, that's interesting. But I continue to read him. For that matter I read a lot of people that don't comment to me as well. Blogit is about reading and writing. Anyone can leave you a flower.
posted by
RedHeadedGypsy
on July 23, 2005 at 3:34 PM
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Quirly
I agree with that too~~
posted by
Offy
on July 23, 2005 at 3:34 PM
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right. it's more a time thing. I spend a lot less time on Blogit
and when I repay the favor of those who comment on me, I'm usually ready to move on.
posted by
scriber
on July 23, 2005 at 3:33 PM
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OBP--
I guess everyone has different reasons for being here. Mine is primarily to write and be read, and to also support those who are friendly with me by reading them.
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 3:32 PM
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scriber--
lol...you never fail to make me laugh!!
I think I should feel honored that the blind pig stumbled into my blog...but I'm not entirely certain.
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 3:29 PM
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Antimatter--
"I read around." oooh, if you were a woman, they'd call you slutty! lol.
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 3:27 PM
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Anti
Yes, I read posts who never read me back. I love to read, isn't that what it is all about?
posted by
Offy
on July 23, 2005 at 3:27 PM
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like a blind pig, I sometimes stumble on a blogger's work
who hasn't left me a comment. But not often.
posted by
scriber
on July 23, 2005 at 3:26 PM
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I read around, but I have my favorites too, that I read always.
posted by
ANTIMATTER
on July 23, 2005 at 3:22 PM
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Aribot--
Yeah...I like to give them ample time to find their way over to my blog, and if they never come...oh well...time to move on!
posted by
Julia.
on July 23, 2005 at 3:16 PM
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I read posts I like and those writers usually read me...only a few times
has this happened where a person never reads me...like you, eventually I stop clicking.
posted by
Ariala
on July 23, 2005 at 3:10 PM
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