THE PERILS OF BLOGGING
"You won't have any friends left if you keep writing things like that," says a blog reader, or, rather, that sentiment is a summary o f several responses I've received now that I've started my attempts at blogging
A few weeks ago I blogged that I thought I was beginning to find my blog voice. Clearly, several people don't like hearing that voice. Actually, I'm surprised that so many people have read these musings. Don't people have better things to do with their time? Four months ago I didn't even know what a blog was, and only once have I read some other person's blog.
I started blogging at the suggestion of a couple of friends (I believe they still are my friends). I've never kept a journal or a diary, and, over the last thirty years, I've found the task of writing mildly excruciating. But I thought it would be good discipline, no matter how random or inconsequential my thoughts might be. When a friend up in Maine told me he was writing his autobiiography on his computer, and urged me to do the same, I thought that was far too focused. On the other hand, I thought that by blogging almost daily, I could track myself to see if there is any cohenence to my thoughts and beliefs, at least as they relate to film. A talk with a friend in California the other day led me to believe that is beginning to happen.
And it's going to continue. I stand by everything I've written, except for the too frequent typos. I may have been incautious about the manner in which I expressed nyself, it's never come out of mean-spiritedness. In fact, I've tried to put in some constructive comment. I've had a passion for film for over 60 years, and sometimes I do get fed up with the institutions and individuals that serve film. As one who was told in 3rd grade that he wasn't working up to his potential, I as especially sensitive to that in film related issues. In one recent blog in which I was very critical, it was really my way of saying, "Come on, you can do better than that!" And, I wrote it with genuine disappointment.
At this point in my life, I am not building a career. And, having studied fim, seen film, and shown fim, indeed, shared by passion for film most of my life, I think I know something about the subject. Others do, too, and they know they can count on me forhonest feedback (even if that feedback might cost me a client or two) My true friends (of which I am fortunate tohave many) know all this.
So not only do I plan to keep on blogging, but I also plan on enjying my friendships.
A few weeks ago I blogged that I thought I was beginning to find my blog voice. Clearly, several people don't like hearing that voice. Actually, I'm surprised that so many people have read these musings. Don't people have better things to do with their time? Four months ago I didn't even know what a blog was, and only once have I read some other person's blog.
I started blogging at the suggestion of a couple of friends (I believe they still are my friends). I've never kept a journal or a diary, and, over the last thirty years, I've found the task of writing mildly excruciating. But I thought it would be good discipline, no matter how random or inconsequential my thoughts might be. When a friend up in Maine told me he was writing his autobiiography on his computer, and urged me to do the same, I thought that was far too focused. On the other hand, I thought that by blogging almost daily, I could track myself to see if there is any cohenence to my thoughts and beliefs, at least as they relate to film. A talk with a friend in California the other day led me to believe that is beginning to happen.
And it's going to continue. I stand by everything I've written, except for the too frequent typos. I may have been incautious about the manner in which I expressed nyself, it's never come out of mean-spiritedness. In fact, I've tried to put in some constructive comment. I've had a passion for film for over 60 years, and sometimes I do get fed up with the institutions and individuals that serve film. As one who was told in 3rd grade that he wasn't working up to his potential, I as especially sensitive to that in film related issues. In one recent blog in which I was very critical, it was really my way of saying, "Come on, you can do better than that!" And, I wrote it with genuine disappointment.
At this point in my life, I am not building a career. And, having studied fim, seen film, and shown fim, indeed, shared by passion for film most of my life, I think I know something about the subject. Others do, too, and they know they can count on me forhonest feedback (even if that feedback might cost me a client or two) My true friends (of which I am fortunate tohave many) know all this.
So not only do I plan to keep on blogging, but I also plan on enjying my friendships.
1 Comments:
David,
Liquid Lunch here. Wanted to put our two cents in as usual. Clearly, people do read your blogs and respect your opinions, us included. And we just wanted to let you know we respect your criticism, critiques, and friendship. They are all highly valued. Besides, you're the kind of teacher who would never give an A+ and makes us work even harder. (Joe chuckled when I said "harder.") Joe just wants to let you know to keep on bloggin.' Critics be damned.
Love,
LLP
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