What do you all think of anonymous blogs?
For example, I read a certain anonymous agent's blog and think she's hilarious, but because she is anonymous, I take everything she says with a grain of salt. Part of me can't keep from thinking that she might just be a bored teenage boy sitting in Poughkipsee amusing himself. Okay, that's probably not true. She's very onto it, so she is, in all likelihood, an agent.
But in reading the comments, it seems to me that some people have suspended all disbelief. Heck, people even ask her questions they should be asking their own agents. What's up with that?
However on the blogger's side of it, it does allow complete freedom doesn't it?
Like, I never say bad things about other authors' books on this blog for the simple reason that they're people too. I'd rather mention the books I liked because I think a positive opinion has as much impact as a negative.
However that doesn't mean I don't have some snark in me. If I started up an anonymous blog, I could let it all out. Of course that would involve me cloning myself so I'd have time to write, review and double-blog, so I think I'll just let that idea whisper off into the ether. But the conspiracy theorist in me wonders how many other people are doing that very same sneaky thing...
So, what's everyone else think? And for those of you who choose to blog anonymously, is it the freedom that drives you? Do you say things you'd never say in real life?
p.s. The next blog entry will be Wednesday, though I will be around tomorrow, so comment away!
9 comments :
Well,
As an anonymous blogger I can say it is mostly because my wife doesn't want wierd people showing up at our door just to say hi at any time of the day or night, or the phone to ring with calls from places I regularly get hits from where it is day there but late night here like, Western, Europe, the Middle East, India, Asia, Austraila, etc.
Since we are listed in the phone book I have to admit she has a legitimate concern.
Then there is the dooce effect. Outside of blogging, I have a professional reputation to maintain. If you look at the material in my blog and compare it to a very professional and sedate career in published research, you might see how one might be inconsistent with the other.
Yes, you don't always know what you are getting in a blog, but isn't that true in life too?
Even a pretty girl's face can hide a monster, and vice versa. Even the last person in the word who looks like they might be your life long friend (or spouse) might turn out to be just that.
So, I find that the interesting thing about the internet is that it strips us down a little to what we present as ourselves, without the baggage of what we are, what we look like, where we go to worship, unless we choose to make that part of the identity we share.
By that, I don't mean that we have the chance to go around lying to everyone, which Kant would say would be clearly wrong, and I think would be very self-limiting, but that we have a chance to cleanse our own identity of our doubts and hangups about ourself and start anew.
How liberating to be just a voice, a group of ideas, mixing with others freely, taken as you are, not because of who you are, valued becuase of what you say, not because of who you are.
This is a very important thing that is happening with the internet. I am talking to you though we may be next door or 10,000 miles away. What does this mean? It means that the world is becominga new culture. A better place I think. Where we find eventually that we are all much more similar than we are different and so anonymity is much less important than we thought. Except for a very few characters who make good villans in romance novels....
Just my thoughts.
Someday, I may go open. Come out of the library as it were.
In the mean time, I remain,
Peter, Chief Editor and Spell Wrecker
The Peter Files Blog of Comedy, Satire and Commentary
Chicago, Illinois
Then reluctantly, he gazed back at her, his eyes gleaming with passion, barely breathing, knowing that what they wanted could never be, and let the door close slowly behind him as he let the rain wash over his bare chest as he walked into the rain, masking any tears that might be there.
My problem is that I cannot go anonymous... (a character flaw, I suppose) so I try to be more careful in my writings (NOT). Oh well, lucky for me I am not famous so no one will be knocking on my door. ;-)
I think I'd love an anonymous blog.Complete and total freedom of thoughts. But then there's always the fear of being found out! LOL
Peter - you made some very interesting points. Imagine what it would be like if all the blog hits really did show up on your doorstep!
Cynthia *g* You never know...
Milady - one of my best friends is called May! Is it fun being inciendiary????
Kendra - you posted while I was writing my reply! Who was that blogger that go found out and got a book contract - the Washingtonniette?
Oy, sometimes I want to snark away too! And I've thought an anonymous blog would be fantastic to do it. But, like you, I don't have the time. :( And being anonymous in my writing blog defeats the ultimate purpose, which is to promote me and my writing (I'm an optimist, since I'm operating without a book contract!).
I don't think we can get snippy or snarky in our public blogs, most especially because we are selling ourselves to readers and future readers. And, in truth, anonymity only goes so far. The unmasking of Miss Snark is only a matter of time. It'll take someone far smarter with computers than I am. :) I tend to think she's legit, though, and I kind of like tuning in regularly for her wit and wisdom. You never know what she's gonna say! :)
Go with optimism, Lynn. I always try and think that way :)
And my comments notwithstanding, I enjoy Miss Snark too. (And Killer Yap lol). I actually hope she doesn't get unmasked for a while (though I do sometimes get the feeling that other agents might know who she is and are playing along hmmm).
I think anonymous posters do it to say things they might normally say, which is fine.
Personally, I'd never say anything negative even anonymously. And not just because it's not in my nature. I'd also rather mention a positive opinion than a negarive one. Besides, you never know when your voodoo computer will turn on you and tattle. Does that make me paranoid? :):)
L
Milady - I often have that problem myself *G*
Hey Lara! You know what they say - just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you ;)
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