Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Thing # 12

I will admit I may have more trouble with this activity than with most of the others. I am not drawn to the idea of holding conversations through blogs--maybe it is my generation, just something I am unaccustomed to doing.  I will try, but, fundamentally, I am not a "joiner" and I see this activity as joining a group of people I may have one common interest with but might have little in common with otherwise. I also like the warmth and feeling which comes with personal contact with my friends.

On the blog etiquette issue--it does make sense that you would say something which would not just be perfunctory--but would genuinely add to the conversation. I would want to use my own name, not hide behind blog title. The problem blogs introduce, of course, was brought up--that this activity invites the kind of mean-spirited responses which some have experienced. The anonymity of the blog allows someone who is unhappy or cruel to manifest anger without the consequences he or she would get for expressing rage in person.   

I also do not like the term "lurk" as it sounds as if someone who reads but does not respond to blogs has the intent of harming someone by doing this.  Of course, if I found a blog uninteresting, I certainly would not continue reading it.  But some people are shy--I  have many students who will listen to a discussion about a work and reflect on it, but who do not like to participate--so this is another possible reason for "lurking."

Okay now I have posted comments on five Library2Play blogs and on one other blog that I found by blog searching.  I am a little uneasy about some of these blogs--I do not want everyone who reads them to have access to me email or my blog. There seem to be some people responding to some of the blogs that I would not want to know. I hope I am protected.

The blog I found was about travel in France and I did get a great website that I added as an RSS feed to my reader.  That was rewarding. I will look for another blog I like and get back to this later.

5 comments:

VWB said...

hopefully, you feel ok about L2P bloggers...they are a part of your circle!

occasionally someone else will be drawn to your blog because of the subject matter or tags your have included...

if you don't care for the comments of someone, simply go into your dashboard to comment moderation and delete it!

as for your email...unless you have included it as a public part of your profile, no one sees it thru your blog.

you have chosen to use your name as your blog identity so anyone reading your blog does know your name, but again 99% of the people reading your blog at this point are participants in the activity!

we are a pretty-much, like-minded community of educators, be we teachers or librarians!

Lefty said...

I so agree with you Daydreams. I don't like the term lurking. I just enjoy browsing. I have a hard time commenting also. I'm not good at online conversation. Good luck.

Sue said...

I also tend to be a little shy about commenting - or if it's not required as an assignment - too pressed for time to do so. That said, I like the idea of having a community of like-minded individuals to canvass for opinions. Sometimes teaching can be a solitary profession and it's nice to have a circle to reach out to.

bateyl said...

bateyl said...
I agree with the previous comments about trusting that those of us who were attracted to your blog are harmless. I too feel a little awkward and shy about making comments to people I don't know. But I was attracted to your beautiful colors, pictures and subject matter.

Dyslexic Mystery Lover said...

I also agree with most of what you wrote. I'm basically shy and have a hard time expressing myself eloquently (sp?). I like to "lurk", but I don't like that term either. Let's change it to "delve into the wonderful ideas of others", ha! I love reading your blog. You have such a way with words that it makes me feel as if I'm transported into a beautiful place when I enter Daydreamsintechnicolor. Your vivid descriptions about your life and travels make it seem like I was there with you. You’re an awesome writer and I look forward to keeping up with your blog. :0)