I discovered over the last several months that library students are assigned to read my blog. Occasionally, when I search for what folks are saying about libraries in general, or this blog specifically, I discover these posts on class or individual student blogs. While I often got email responses to the print columns I wrote, I never expected this kind of critique.
Students are disturbed that my blog sometimes waxes personal or is boring, especially if that particular week they are assigned to comment on a pressing professional issue. I could keep to the letter of mission I established (or change my mission) but hard as I try, I cannot keep the most important moments of my life–my son’s college graduation, for instance–outside of this space.
It is my blog. If it bores you, with all due respect, please move on. Find one that is more interesting. I won’t be hurt. I know there are way better blogs out there.
At a recent conference, a session moderator noted that one speaker’s book was negatively reviewed in an Amazon post and hoped that the many others who appreciated the book would post their positive reviews as balance in Amazon or their own blogs.
As you know, a great number of bloggers–myself included–are blogging these conferences. I love that I can read reports of the workshops and speeches I miss or read others’ takes on the workshops I attend. These days I am a little less loose, just a little more self-conscious at these sessions. I’ve heard a number of speakers–myself included–preface their talks with words like, “please don’t bash me in your blog.”
It’s funny, I always (mostly alway) enjoy reading the print evaluations of my conference sessions. I learn much from them and I like to think I grow from reading them. But, there were also a couple of very nasty comments over the years that made me angry or brought me to tears. When my husband caught me reading the pages and crying, he grabbed them and tore them up and I felt much better.
I know I talk too fast. I know I tawk funny. I know I don’t know everything about everything and I admit to my imposter syndrome straight up most every time. I know that my colleagues who also put themselves out there are sometimes less than perfect, but I almost always learn from them.
I am a great respecter of First Amendment freedoms. But bloggers out there, be a little kind and remember that there are real people behind these blogs and real people who read about themselves in your blogs.
Times are indeed shifting. The information consumer is also the information producer. When we blog professionally, I hope we can be kind, as well as sharp and professional.
You cannot tear up a nasty blog post.
