Given the vast everflowing river of comments that my recent KLOL-related posts have become, I should perhaps be hesitant to mention this, but I will anyway. Christine says this is Blurker Amnesty Week. Says she:
Yo! You! There in the corner? Long time listener, it’s time to be a first time caller. I want to know that you are out there, so give it up and leave a comment. It’s ok. We love you.[...]
Blurker (BLUR-kur): n. 1. One who reads many blogs but leaves no evidence of themselves such as comments behind; a silent observer of blogs. 2. One who reads many blogs but has no blog of their own; a blog-watcher or blog voyeur.
It’s ok to be a blurker, but it’s a good idea to come out into the light every once in awhile. Here is your chance - with amnesty even!
I generally don't leave comments, except to flame or harrass people, especially self righteous political or activist type people. I don't really have the urge to express my opinion. I have left many barbs at Burnt Orange Report because those guys are super self righteous. I used to try to disrupt at Free Republic but I think they banned my IP address. I generally go on blogs to procrastinate or kill time. When I read paper newspapers I am shocked at how informative they are -- you guys are presenting a very narrow view of the world where everything is political. Blogs are a very limited medium.
Posted by: bert the blurker on November 18, 2004 12:14 PMActually, I'd have to differ with bert - not all blogs are as narrow as some of the ones you look at. Many aren't political at all, or at least, it's peripheral. I go through 20 or so a day, and only 4 are overtly political.
Posted by: rich on November 18, 2004 12:44 PMI'm anti-blurker. Everyone should comment, all the time.
That said, has Bert read ... well, let's say my blog? Yeah, I had political rants maybe 10 times prior to the elections. Lately, it's been Barry Manilow and the madonna in the grilled cheese sandwich. Not really conforming to the "everything is political" view he has of blogs. Interesting, though to think that some might see blogs that way.
Posted by: Christine on November 18, 2004 2:51 PMwhy would anyone want to read about barry mantilow and grilled cheese sandwiches? I'll add a caveat then--there are political blogs and then there are stupid blogs. the world is so much more interesting than blogs.
Posted by: bert on November 18, 2004 2:55 PMoh yeah, the other thing I hate about blogs is their tendency to panhandle relentlessly. give money to candidate Schmaltz! do it again! we are the netroots! we are total wankers!
Posted by: bert on November 18, 2004 3:05 PMWhoa, whoa, whoa...what's this about Madonna, Barry Manilow and a grilled cheese sandwich? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
And does Guy Richie know anything about this? I can't imagine the he'd be two pleased about a guy with Liza Minelli's haircut making time, er "grilled cheese" with his wife.
Posted by: Patrick on November 18, 2004 3:34 PMMy name is Leisa and I'm a blurker. (Hi, Leisa.) Sometimes I read lots of blogs, like during election season, and sometimes few to none. But Chuck's is one of only two that I bookmark and read regularly. Okay, I'm going back into hiding now.
Posted by: Leisa on November 18, 2004 4:05 PMSo, both Barry Mannilow and Madonna are in the grilled cheese sandwich? Man, they aren't asking enough for that on eBay.
And it sounds like Bert is true to his word: He only leaves comments to flame or harrass (sic) people.
Or maybe not just sic (sic) people.
Posted by: CrispyShot on November 18, 2004 4:08 PMYEAH YOU FIGURED ME OUT CRISPYSHOT! I'M NOT A JOINER AND I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF ANY BLOG COMMUNITY. HAHAHAHAHAHA
Posted by: bert on November 19, 2004 10:54 AM