The Bloggers With The Most To Say
Morality in your blog...alienate readers or steer clear?
I find it hard to keep my mouth shut on how I feel on certain subjects, but I wonder if this will possibly alienate readers. My blog is about comic books (yes there can be moral questions in the world of sequential arts!), and I just made a post about how popular torrenting comics has become.
How do you address touchy issues in your blog? For personal bloggers out there, it probably isn't really a question because your opinions are the main subject matter, but how bout those of you who are topic bloggers like myself? Interested to know!
Here's the post that got me thinking about it:
Thanks!
How do you address touchy issues in your blog? For personal bloggers out there, it probably isn't really a question because your opinions are the main subject matter, but how bout those of you who are topic bloggers like myself? Interested to know!
Here's the post that got me thinking about it:
Thanks!
Tags: blogging, comics, issues, morality, opinions, pirating, politics, writing
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Megan Byrd on -
That's an excellent suggestion! I know what you mean about readers that read just to disagree... my blog doesn't have many followers (yet!) but this is a great tip for getting discussions started rather than alienating readers. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on -
I just try to be sensitive and thoughtful when I write about anything controversial, especially if it's a topic I'm passionate about. I think the key is to make sure that in stating your opinion, you keep in mind that not everyone will agree and to be respectful towards people who don't.
I actually enjoy getting comments from people who don't share my view completely because it makes me re-examine why I feel the way I do.
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Permalink Reply by Jas on -
I say balls to the wall honesty is the best way to go. Especially on issues there are are definite "sides." Deep down, most people know where they stand on touchy issues. If you want to write about them, then I wouldn't skirt around the issue and try to please everyone.
Part of writing is the audience. You can't please everyone, and I see so many writers that drop the ball on what could have been interesting and driven content because they tried to do just that.
Your content shouldn't be accommodating. That's you.
Your defense, should anyone try to attack your opinions and beliefs, should be.
My advice is to know your opinions well.
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Nash on -
I completely agree. Well-written opinions I agree with excite and inspire me. Well-written opinions I disagree with excite and challenge me. Bloodless, eager-to-please, catering to everyone and delivering to no one -- that's what alienates me.
It's great to read people who are bold, and it's possible to be bold without being offensive to those who don't see things exactly as you do. Know your opinions well -- I think that's great advice.
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Permalink Reply by m'liss on -
To be 100% honest, if you have a personal blog you shouldn't be censoring yourself for readers' sake. You should say what you have to say! Isn't that the point of actually having a personal blog anyway?
I don't exactly write about super controversial issues but if I read a blog that did I wouldn't stop reading it just for disagreeing. If I'm reading your blog, it's your space & you should be able to say whatever it is you want... and not blog for someone else!
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Permalink Reply by Chase on -
Christina has a great suggestion in being neutral (giving both sides) which definitely works out if you're reporting an issue...
But another route to take would be to create conversation.
The awesome part about blogging is that it's a dialog, not a monologue. State your opinion, and stick to it... it's your blog and you have every right to do it! From there, though, open the conversation. End your blog with questions that will poll and pull information out of your readers. This will create community, and -- if done respectfully -- will keep even those who don't agree with you coming back!
For example, I occasionally write about Theology as a blogger involved in a book review/project titled "Transforming Theology." I worried about alienating my readers as I've never been so direct about Faith on my blog. But in my posts, I'm clear about who I intend to be my audience, and strive to create conversation across the board.
Though I write about primarily Christian Theology, I find some of my most active commenters are my Atheist, Anti-Theist and Buddhist followers/co-bloggers. I accredit that to creating conversation. :)
Hope this gives you some ideas!
-Chase
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Permalink Reply by Sebastian on -
I thought comic books were ALL ABOUT moral issues...!
I generally try to stay as objective as possible. I sometimes wade in, but it's rare (so as to not alienate people). Also, I don't think my opinion is any more valid than someone else's (within reason), so I don't see why I should shove it down your throat :)
I do occasionally suffer from 'writing with too much authority' though. I don't often provide space for possible dissent. But people would be crazy to disagree with me... right?
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Nash on
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I think there's a difference, though, between expressing an opinion and shoving an opinion down someone's throat, right? When people are tactful and thoughtful I like reading what they have to say, even when it doesn't necessarily fit within my own view of things...
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Permalink Reply by Sebastian on
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Well, so far, people seem more than willing to read my point of view.
Probably because of the objectivity of it all.
Still, it's a little scary (for me) to think that I'm changing everyone else's outlook... quite a responsibility.
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Nash on
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Oh I agree, I wouldn't wish my outlook on anyone :) But I know I enjoy reading and considering other people's outlooks even when they don't quite correspond with my own.
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Permalink Reply by S.I.F. on -
I kind of just faced this yesterday... My blog intent is to write about one specific subject (my infertility), but in my quest for answers I've been delving into faith a lot lately too. I have been a hard time with religious views on homosexuality, and I wrote about a conversation I shouldn't have allowed myself to get involved in. I don't claim to have all the answers (and I am a straight woman myself, but my mom's a lesbian... I supposed I kind of feel the need to defend her?), I just know what feels right, and in my own quest to find religion and faith again, I just can't condemn homosexuals... Long story short, I woke up this morning with an e-mail in my inbox from a man who claimed to be a recovering homosexual... He used the term Same Sex Attraction (SSA) and kept referring to it as though it were an addiction. He talked about how he now counsels other people suffering from "SSA" and how you can be "cured"... I about died and cried and screamed all at once. I didn't know how to react, so I just didn't. The guy wasn't trying to be a dick, but I just can't agree with him... I decided the best thing to do was delete it and move on, but I have been thinking about that e-mail all day... I think I'll just stick to infertility on my blog from now on! At least I know how to stand up to people who oppose me on that! :)
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