Cutting Back
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This isn't personal to those it effects, but I have found myself cringing lately when I sit down to read my blog list in the mornings. It used to be an anticipated joy and now it has become anything but that. The reason is that a few of the blogs I used to enjoy reading seem to have switched over to posting political memes and posts meant to incite fear and for what purpose? From the comments I have read, they aren't convincing anyone to switch their views. I'm not sure enlightening their readership is happening as I almost never see a comment stating that it was news to them. It just seems like fear is the sole purpose and I'm not sure fear has ever solved anything. It just makes people divided and isn't really enjoyable for a morning read to start my day. I would rather spend my time and effort with those who wish to unite and find common ground or at least understanding of our differences.
I hope this isn't misconstrued that I won't be reading a blog if they post anything political at all because that is certainly not the case. There are a handful of blogs that I regularly read where politics are brought up on a regular basis but it is done so in a calm and deliberate manner as well as the debates in the comments. It doesn't feel like I'm being preached too while reading the post nor do I get the "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" retort if I point out some particular thing I might disagree with. I don't often bring up politics on my blog but when I do, I try to keep the focus narrow and I aim to create a safe environment for discussion in the comments if people so choose to do so.
So I have decided to cut back on the blogs I read. Perhaps not permanently but at least until the rage and vile that I sense in their posts has a chance to subside back into something a bit less bitter. I want to go back to that anticipation of starting my day reading about the lives of a bunch of interesting people scattered all around the world. If by chance, you are reading this and I haven't commented on your blog in awhile, feel free to drop me a line letting me know when the fear posting has subsided and I will happily return to the fold of your readership. I loved your blog for a reason before few months ago so I'm sure I would continue to enjoy it well into the future.
May we all strive to find common ground and happiness over fear and divisiveness.
I totally understand what you're saying, Ed, and I agree. Blogging (for me) is supposed to be a fun escape (in general). You're always welcome at my place and you know it's usually going to be pretty mundane stuff like puzzles, nature photos, and books! And I know you don't always comment on book posts, but in return I don't always comment on your genealogy posts.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts and read them all but don't always comment if I have nothing worthwhile to add, which is sometimes often when it comes to puzzles or fiction books.
DeletePeople are extremely agitated now for some strange reason and venting seems to help. Even I have had to mention things from time to time but not often or for long.
ReplyDeleteI get the venting and I see the need for it. But at some point it seems like some are trying to make a point and that point is apparently lost upon me. You have always made me feel welcome, even if we disagree from time to time and I sincerely appreciate that.
DeleteWe all have to limit our exposure to what upsets us, especially when we don't have control over any of it. I rarely post about politics (a bit more lately) and hardly ever do memes; I think my blog is mostly about my personal journey and sometimes politics is involved in that. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog because it does detail your life and sort of mirrors around events in my life though from a different perspective than I experienced them.
DeleteUnderstandable.
ReplyDeleteI just want to not dread clicking on a blog to read and wonder what is the next time I'm supposed to fear or be paranoid about. I hope this step solves that until this, whatever it is, fades away.
DeleteI'm with you. It's like these very nice people intend to make everyone be as scared as they are. In wintertime especially it's easy to get me into worrying about anything and everything, and I'd like to protect myself from that, I get the same thing on Facebook, too. If there was anything we could do about it, that would be different. But if we can't at this point, all the talk in the world isn't going to help.
DeleteAlthough I think we should all make note and remember such things for four years from now, there isn’t a lot to be done about it now.
DeleteWe're on the same wavelength. Except most of the rage I read is on Facebook. I've used the "mute for 30 days" button plenty. After 30 days, something else political pops back up, I'll mute them again.
ReplyDeleteThe ability to have a reasonable disagreement seems to be on the verge of extinction.
I have used the "Mute" and "Unfollow" buttons on the Book of Face for the same reasons. But I do have a few friends with whom I disagree and we can have some good discussions in the comments. But anymore, I get jumped by unknown people (friends of my friend) that deploy the "toss everything at him and see what sticks" methodology of debate aimed directly at me. I usually decline to take the bait and tell them to DM me if they have something specific they wish to tell me. I hate that you can't point out an inaccurate statement without people assuming it is a personal attack against "their man" and assume incorrectly that I must be for that "other man".
DeleteI agree, Ed. May we all strive to find common ground and happiness over fear and divisiveness is a pretty good philosophy to follow. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Shife!
DeleteA wise decision. I wish people could just take a deep breath and give it a rest.
ReplyDeleteThere will be plenty of time for reminding in two years and four years.
DeleteYou know, I used to blog a lot about politics, writing a lot of parody and satire,, but sometime around 2010 it got old... It does seems that there is little concern for finding common ground and the hatred turns everyone off.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days and even dabbled in satire a bit myself back then. But the political climate was a lot different back then and there wasn't so much hatred and bitterness. I still remember the days of you and I being lambasted by a Florida blogger for our "liberal" views.
DeleteI'm just glad to read that others in the U.S., Canada, or Australia think rationally. I was so worried that the numbers were low compared to the massive number of idiots trying to ruin the world. It's sad. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteAmong my circle, I find some people like me in the middle and a lot of moderates on either side. Unfortunately those on the extremes tend to be the most vocal these days.
DeleteI am tiring of the hate an discontent also. I rarely write about Politics but like you I am tiring of the same old complaints...yada yada...:)
ReplyDeleteI wish more would spend the same energy seeking common ground instead of sowing division.
DeleteFrom one who posted politically today (don't read it!), I can understand your choosing to skip those posts. For me, writing is an outlet to process information and make sense of the world. That's why I blog what I do, and I do it with the full knowledge that others may not agree or even enjoy reading it. But I feel that I have to do it, for the sake of my own clarity and comprehension of world events, and from my perspective I'm not being unreasonably fearful. I envy your relatively sanguine approach to our current government but it's not one I share.
ReplyDeleteI get that Steve and blog for exactly the same reasons. Your political posts are well written and not done with the intention of spreading divisiveness which are the ones I intensely dislike. You also tend to listen when I might disagree and understand where I'm coming from instead of insisting that there is no other alternatives. I love that we can agree to disagree but yet understand where the other is coming from.
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