medium & the message

I keep reading about these people, other bloggers, who get negative messages through their blogs. I’m not just talking about readers disagreeing with what they say but about receiving horrible, personal attacks from complete strangers.

Up until now I’ve been attack free. It may not have been as horrible as ones I’ve read but it came where I least expected it – a friend.

I got this message in my Facebook inbox:

“darlin’ i love you to bits… but why do you have a blog? really? it kinda breaks my heart”

WTF? Coming from someone who is a really good friend, we know each other outside of the online world, well, it kinda broke my heart. I guess “bloggers” aren’t really cool in this his eyes.

I feel sorry for him. He was the friend that chastised people for having cell phones but, of course, he got one when it suited him. He did the same for Facebook, for quitting smoking and for exercise. I know that he reads blogs and doesn’t even know it. If his past behavior is indicative of what’s to come, I’m sure he’ll catch up with the rest of us soon.

I always try to be supportive and encouraging especially with my friends. There are times that they are involved in something that I think is totally off the wall but if I see that they are happy then who cares? I am an opinionated bitch but if what you are doing isn’t causing you harm then who am I to make you feel bad about it? I would only expect the same from my friends. Thankfully, minus this one comment, all of my other friends have been supportive and engaged. I should consider myself really lucky.

I supposed you are wondering what I wrote back (besides this post). Here goes:

“you know, you look really fat when you are being judgmental.
ive been blogging for over a year and this is the first you’ve noticed? maybe you need to get with it.
and hi…welcome to my world. my whole career is based on social media. i got my super awesome job thru my blog and I love what I do.
perhaps it might be nicer if you would be supportive, even if you don’t agree with the things i do in MY life. you know…the way i would be with you.”

Not sure if I was being very nice but I think I got my point across.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website