I got those blogging every day in the A to Z April blogging blues...
Dang! And we just started!
Blogging Blues
My blogging blues have nothing to do with this year's Challenge. My blog really started singing the blues five years ago. Maybe even more. Still I've blogged on since those blogging blues cast a pall on my online activities. Perhaps it's partly my own fault, but expressing my opinions was part of my reason for getting into this blogging thing.
Even the name of my blog, Tossing It Out, refers to the concept of tossing out ideas and opinions to anyone who will read. Sometimes my opinions have annoyed--even pissed off--some readers. Well, that's life I'd say. I don't always like everything I hear either. Thank goodness no one is around to hear me talking back to some of the idiots I see on the television. Of course, my wife hears me sometimes, but now she's seen the light about so much of the stupidity being expressed on the airwaves and she's saying the same things I'm saying. It's a matter of logic the way I see it.
But blogging should be different. Somehow I see the written word as a vehicle of somewhat passive provocation. Reading a point of view and writing a response should entail reflection and reasoning. Sadly this has become discarded only to be replaced by name-calling and linguistic vulgarities. I sometimes wonder if opinionated writing is more a thing of emotionally driven venting with no reasoning behind it all.
So should I blame the bloggers with whom I have interacted in the past or in some cases continue to interact with? Or should I blame the media outlets that are disseminating skewed propaganda and outright lies? What is truth anyway?
Blogging doesn't have to be true if it is a matter of opinion. And that's one of my opinions.
Do you ever respond rudely when disagree with another blogger? Have you ever tried to present a logical argument to another blogger only to receive a rude rebuttal? If everyone kept their opinions to themselves do you think society would make more progress?
I generally try to come up with something/anything positive I can think to say. Asking questions is always helpful. They help me determine if I can disagree in a way that would be productive and helpful to others. I often find that rudeness in response to logic often means that caring was called for all along. If everyone kept their opinions to themselves...gee, hard to imagine. I'm not sure I think society would make more progress but then I may not be defining progress the same way as you. My encouragement to you is don't stop writing because you got rude feedback...but also make sure that you're treating others the way you want to be treated and that all feedback from you is as positive as it can be. That's what I'm trying to do anyways. Much love to you on this Thursday!
ReplyDeleteBobbi, hearing opinions helps us learn just as others listening to our opinions might learn. I won't stop writing, but for now I'm going to continue being cautious about expressing some of my opinions. Thanks for the great comment!
DeleteLee
I don't think responding rudely to another blogger is good, whatever you are the one responding or the one to be responded (oh boy, I don't know if this sentence is correct) because even if you try to present a logical argument, it's only written. And I believe in direct contact, with eye contact, non-verbal communication and so on. Even with smileys and emojis, your feelings and arguments may not be understood as you want them to be.
ReplyDeleteJust my thought.
Quilting Patchwork & Appliqué
Frederique, I'd say that is essentially true, though I've had some encounters where the other side cared not about logic or respect and have treated me in a way that made no sense to me. Talking things out is a great way to resolve differences or come to terms about an issue as long as both parties are civil and approach everything with a certain amount of intelligence and willingness to listen to opposing ideas.
DeleteLee
I am consciously blocking and deleting anyone who seems to think an insult is a proper vehicle for debate. Got rid of a co-worker on FB last night. Hard to understand that some people think they show anything but ignorance that way. Yes, I used to be as bad, but I've had a lot of mirrors put in my face the last couple of years.
ReplyDeleteCW, I've on occasion silenced people from my Facebook thread for 30 days, but I don't think I've blocked anyone yet. They always seem to give up on their own and just avoid me. I do like from time to time check to see what the "enemy" is saying. Sad to think of those people as my enemies, but they certainly don't seem like friends even though I've known some of them for many years.
DeleteOf course I've said things that would probably have been better left unsaid, but sometimes I get so riled that I feel that something must be said even though ignorance often has no ears.
Lee
Lee
I think you may be right. Online, people can say anything and be safe behind their computers, so they spew. And the news has definitely run with a lot of lies and twisted truth. That's why I avoid CNN and USA Today.
ReplyDeleteAlex, so many of the media outlets are skewed and untrustworthy. I take in doses of many and use my own sense of logic to process it all. I never take them at their word.
DeleteLee
Oh, day 2 and feeling the blues? Sorry to hear that you had to deal with trolls even on your blog. As you rightly said, here we pour our thoughts in well planned posts. No matter if it took 1/2 hour or a week to prep it, this writing comes from a deep part of us. It's always outrageous to see it shredded by someone that lack emotional intelligence to politely disagree. I'm learning to develop a thick skin. And send those messages to the same bin that I send all those Viagra sellers. Don't give up, and see you around.
ReplyDeleteHannelore Adler
https://steampunkcowunicorn.wordpress.com
Hannelore, What I hate is to see old friends from blogs or elsewhere turning against me because of differences in opinions. I've always considered a difference in opinion as an opportunity to learn different points of views and coming to rational conclusions through debate and discussion. Now it doesn't seem to happen as much as it once did.
DeleteLee
There's much value in friendships (virtual or real-life) with people of different political, religious, cultural, etc., backgrounds and views. Even if we might not personally agree with certain things, we can at least try to understand them. A truly wise person learns from everyone. Though I'm only forty, I'm constantly stunned at people who aren't that much younger than I am who eschew mature, respectful dialogue in favor of insults, personal attacks, threats, and childish gifs and anime memes.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, diversity of thought was one of the great things about the sixties and seventies. Things are far too polarized now and each side becomes more narrow in their thinking as a result. I crave intellectual debate, but their seems less an opportunity for intelligent exchange of ideas these days.
DeleteLee
There are some topics I don't discuss on my blog, politics being one of them. If someone makes a snide comment about someone in politics, whether it be President Trump or Speaker Pelosi or annyone else, I ignore the comment.
ReplyDeleteI think we as a nation (hell, as a world) are beyond the point where we can share opinions dispassionately about practically anything. Maybe it's time we realized that what happens in Washington or at UN Plaza or in London or Brussels is nowhere near as important as what happens in our neighborhoods. Mary does all the driving now, and doesn't go further than five miles (if she can help it); I've decided that if it doesn't happen in those 15+ square miles, it ain't important.
John H, most of time my wife and I are confined geographically to the same small area and limited with having few contacts of any close nature. I spend a lot of my discussion time either with my wife, friends on the phone, or television talking heads who don't hear what I say to them.
DeleteLee
You're right, discerning the truth is difficult. Hang in there. You have your own truth and that's all that matters. Stay safe.
ReplyDeletehttps://joylenebutler.com/phyllis-zimbler-miller-covid-19-when-words-are-all-we-have/.html
Joylene, I'll trust my own filtering and discernment of the truth over what most of what I hear on TV.
DeleteLee
I think there has never been a more challenging time for us to communicate with others online. And yet, it is also more important than ever.
ReplyDeleteI try very hard never to be rude to others. But, yes, I have also tried to present a logical argument to others online (not blogs per se but on other social media) only to receive a rude rebuttal.
I definitely don't think that if everyone kept their opinions to themselves, society would make more progress. Rather, if everyone kept their opinions to themselves, the loudest, and most driven, would simply drown out everyone else. That doesn't mean that we should engage in rude arguments. But we also shouldn't shy away from tackling important topics. Now more than ever, we need to stand up for the things that we believe in, and make the changes that society--and our world--require.
https://atozwriting.blogspot.com/
Sati, and sadly the communication is so facilitated by the internet. The points you've made are excellent.
DeleteLee
I have always enjoyed your posts and your opinions! And in fact, if I remember correctly you were the one who first started the A to Z Challenge. I wish blogging were as popular as it used to be. Now it's hard to get new followers or comments or even to find bloggers who post regularly with their interesting stories or opinions.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I still think there are communities of bloggers who continue to be as active as ever, but I'm too comfortable in my own blogging community to seek out newer more active bloggers. That's my guess that I can't actually back up with evidence. And if it's not I guess a revival could be waiting in the future.
DeleteLee
I write about this topic a bit in my upcoming "R" post for the A to Z Challenge. I don't think blogs and social media are conducive to nuanced conversations especially when opinions are strong on both sides. That said - it is discouraging to see how cruel and obnoxious people can be on these platforms. Disagreeing doesn't have to be uncivil. Weekends In Maine
ReplyDeleteMaine, the nature of writing is that it is aloof and caters to the writers own beliefs and agenda. The faceless unknown commenters steel up to their own. So much of the time it all becomes like lunatics just screaming blindly in a dark void.
DeleteLee
I don't argue much and if I recieved a rude comment I either delete it or if it's not too bad I leave it and let others have their say
ReplyDeleteWhen you mention the media, you hit on one of my pet peeves (a phrase that does not adequately describe my disdain for what they're doing to people, especially those gullible enough to believe what they hear). I try to watch briefings and updates by the experts first hand instead of relying on sound bites out of context and the biased reporting. And yes, I have tried to carry on a civil discussion on social media (yes, I know, silly me) and had folks I don't even know come back at me with demands I denounce this official or that. I just turn away and go back to books, puppies, and kittens.
ReplyDeleteI try not to get too deep with my blog. I am more into the spreading of fun stuff. I don't pay much attention to the back and forth name calling, etc. I understand your feelings though. I seriously enjoyed your posts when #45 was elected even though I didn't agree. You presented some good information.
ReplyDeletehttps://scr4pl80.wordpress.com/2020/04/03/a-to-z-challenge-2020-clapton/
I would never be rude because that's a reflection on me not the other person. I consider that small minded. I think having opinion and expressing them is what makes the world go round otherwise we would never have had Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ghandi, Churchill and even people like Robin Williams and Joan Rivers
ReplyDeleteMy knee-jerk reaction is ALWAYS to respond in like manner to a rude comment. However, I take a beat and try to respond in as mature a way as possible. My blog hasn't gotten much action in the past few years, so I haven't really had to deal with that in a while. I kind of like it that way.
ReplyDeleteKim
I suppose I deal with so much hate offline (which was really high when I was younger, then got better for a years, then spiked five years ago), that I don't have tolerance for it online as well. Do I have the right to be alive? I guess it could be a philosophical conversation. But, here's the thing, I'm not willing to die just because some people feel I shouldn't live. So, in that, yes, I've responded unkindly online and off.
ReplyDeleteBut if the argument isn't about who should be permitted to live based on birth and basic human rights... if the argument is something like "does mayo belong on a burger," or "is this remake better than the original," then yeah, live and let live. No need to be overly angry about that. Though some people are really passionate about mayo. Perhaps this pandemic will change how people see things, what they value as important enough to take up as a cause. It will bring out the best in some and the worst in others, I suppose.
I attempt poetries and visitors are rare but I am of considered opinion that one should be free to toss out the whispers of heart and mind on blogs.
ReplyDeleteWelfare unto all
Rab rakha
Hi Lee - glad to see you're doing your famous A-Z ... blogging blues - never! Take care and all the best ... and see you when I see you. Cheers with a Corona having seen your next post - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis year's challenge is just the thing to keep our spirits up in this time of uncertainty. I'm all for passive - and positive - provocation through blogging. But opinions lobbed like verbal grenades are worthless. Delete 'em!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging, Lee!
Lee,
ReplyDeleteBefore I answer your questions, let me apologize for falling behind in my visits. I truly meant to get over here sooner but sooner never came. *sigh* I don’t think I’ve ever responded to a blogger rudely on their site or mine. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. It’s up to each of us to respect one another and to choose our words wisely when dealing with anyone who’s views are different. Getting offended or angry doesn’t change someone’s mind. In fact, it does just the opposite. This is your blog, I say do what you want. If others don’t agree with you or respect your opinion then that’s okay. You don’t have to have other’s approval to say or feel what’s right. All you need is God’s O.kay to give you a clear consciences. Have a blessed and beautiful day, my friend.
Cathy’s Pinup Girl #AtoZChallenge Art Sketch Series (‘B’)