Poor Beloved. Not only does he have to put up with all the time I sink into blog, and every family moment being potential blog fodder, but he has to endure a blogosphere play-by-play as it tries to pass for polite dinner conversation.
(Sidebar: I just had an interesting insight. Are blogs to women of our generation what soap operas were to the women of the previous generation? Discuss.)
So I was telling Beloved about this blogger, who happens to be a columnist for one of our national dailies, and her post about buying $140 designer jeans for her daughter. Her two-year-old daughter. Once we got past the whole idea of spending that much money on a single pair of pants for a toddler, we started discussing her blog in general, and how I can’t quite warm up to it because I think she posts stuff just to be inflamatory and get people talking about her.
And Beloved said, “So what?”
I thought about it, and he’s right. Who says blogging has to be sincere, or genuine, or authentic? Maybe her life really is just like she posts in her blog, but I think she torques it to get people talking – if not to her, at least about her. She’s using her blog to promote her brand, and if it’s working, more power to her. It’s that old axiom, I guess, about say whatever you want about me in the papers, just make sure you spell my name right.
She’s drawing a surprising amount of venom and vitriol, though. I’ve been writing this blog more or less daily for a year, and she gets more hateful comments in a day than I’ve gotten altogether. (Come to think of it, I’ve never gotten a hateful comment. Touch wood.) Someone’s even gone to all the trouble of making a mockup of her blog. And while I don’t agree with a lot of what she writes, or have a lot in common with her, I kind of admire her ability to stir things up.
What do you think? Go ahead, choose a topic – blogs as modern-day soaps, $140 jeans for toddlers, truth and accuracy in blogging, blogging to promote your brand – surely there’s something worth commenting on!
Well — I’ve never been a soap opera watcher, but that’s probably because I don’t have time in the middle of the day. I could certainly get sucked into watching soap operas with some time on my hands. And I AM sucked into reading blogs. I think I’m addicted! But I think the blog writing I read is much better than soap opera writing. So if the parallel works at all, we’ve come out ahead!
Well — I’ve never been a soap opera watcher, but that’s probably because I don’t have time in the middle of the day. I could certainly get sucked into watching soap operas with some time on my hands. And I AM sucked into reading blogs. I think I’m addicted! But I think the blog writing I read is much better than soap opera writing. So if the parallel works at all, we’ve come out ahead!
Choices? Before my second cup of coffee?
OK, um, blogs as today’s soaps: This makes sense to me. I don’t watch soaps, I hate soaps, but I do follow the lives of tens of people online. If you told me five years ago that I would be reading daily about people I don’t know, reading their personal journals, I don’t think I would have believed it. But, here we are.
Choices? Before my second cup of coffee?
OK, um, blogs as today’s soaps: This makes sense to me. I don’t watch soaps, I hate soaps, but I do follow the lives of tens of people online. If you told me five years ago that I would be reading daily about people I don’t know, reading their personal journals, I don’t think I would have believed it. But, here we are.
Soaps are voyeuristic, as are blogs. Both set you up as an audience peeking into someone else’s life.
Although I have yet to read a blog by a former amnesiac who’s married to their long-lost sister’s former convict ex-husband.
Soaps are voyeuristic, as are blogs. Both set you up as an audience peeking into someone else’s life.
Although I have yet to read a blog by a former amnesiac who’s married to their long-lost sister’s former convict ex-husband.
I’m not sure I’d think of them as soaps–it’s real, after all; we don’t have demon possessions and people returning from the dead and so on–but I’d definitely agree that it’s gossip. Sometimes harmless and sometimes not.
I’ve been puzzled about her, too. But actually I get the sense that it’s genuine. OK, I am gullible and I take people at face value way too easily. But I’ve seen comments by her on other blogs stressing how much she has in common with other mothers and we should give her a chance–so I dunno. It doesn’t sound to me like she’s being purposefully inflammatory. But purposefully or not, she is definitely inflammatory.
I think for me it was the post where she talked about needing to go to a tropical island for a few months to lose the baby weight so she could fit into her $285 jeans again. And it wasn’t so much that she did that, although the use of “need” in that context was a bit mind-boggling, as that she seemed to think it was normal and that readers would be able to relate. It seemed so oblivious to the realities of life for most women in Canada–it doesn’t surprise me that so many people have a hard time with it. It surprises me that she draws as much vitriol as she does when you consider the topics–I mean, $140 blue jeans for toddlers may make me spit my warm tea all over my keyboard, but they sell ’em, so obviously she’s not the only one buying them; meanwhile I write terrifically long rants about eugenics and abortion and feminism and all these things you think would get a much stronger reaction, for what is at this point a larger audience, yet disagreements tend to be respectful and gentle. And I have to think it’s a difference in approach to the audience.
Anyway. I think blogging-as-advertising is a fairly common genre. I’d put a lot of Ann’s writing into that category. And why not? It’s a great promotional tool. She is very good about presenting an image consistent with her books and keeping the same tone and material and subjects. A few small lit mags I know of have blogs where they discuss upcoming events and promote themselves–there’s the Compact blog promoting a non-consumption lifestyle–and so on. It isn’t what I’m in it for, but not because I disapprove; I just wouldn’t enjoy it. Also I have nothing to promote!
I’m not sure I’d think of them as soaps–it’s real, after all; we don’t have demon possessions and people returning from the dead and so on–but I’d definitely agree that it’s gossip. Sometimes harmless and sometimes not.
I’ve been puzzled about her, too. But actually I get the sense that it’s genuine. OK, I am gullible and I take people at face value way too easily. But I’ve seen comments by her on other blogs stressing how much she has in common with other mothers and we should give her a chance–so I dunno. It doesn’t sound to me like she’s being purposefully inflammatory. But purposefully or not, she is definitely inflammatory.
I think for me it was the post where she talked about needing to go to a tropical island for a few months to lose the baby weight so she could fit into her $285 jeans again. And it wasn’t so much that she did that, although the use of “need” in that context was a bit mind-boggling, as that she seemed to think it was normal and that readers would be able to relate. It seemed so oblivious to the realities of life for most women in Canada–it doesn’t surprise me that so many people have a hard time with it. It surprises me that she draws as much vitriol as she does when you consider the topics–I mean, $140 blue jeans for toddlers may make me spit my warm tea all over my keyboard, but they sell ’em, so obviously she’s not the only one buying them; meanwhile I write terrifically long rants about eugenics and abortion and feminism and all these things you think would get a much stronger reaction, for what is at this point a larger audience, yet disagreements tend to be respectful and gentle. And I have to think it’s a difference in approach to the audience.
Anyway. I think blogging-as-advertising is a fairly common genre. I’d put a lot of Ann’s writing into that category. And why not? It’s a great promotional tool. She is very good about presenting an image consistent with her books and keeping the same tone and material and subjects. A few small lit mags I know of have blogs where they discuss upcoming events and promote themselves–there’s the Compact blog promoting a non-consumption lifestyle–and so on. It isn’t what I’m in it for, but not because I disapprove; I just wouldn’t enjoy it. Also I have nothing to promote!
Dani, that’s a terrific parallel! For me, I think that blogs are definitely what Soaps used to be for my Mom’s generation. Except I’ve forged a deeper connection because the people who’s lives I follow are real. And they’re interested in me too! (Who can resist it when folks care about you?)
I read the $140 toddler jean post. My mind boggles.
Perhaps I’m being too generous, but I think a lot of what that blogger writes, is truth in her world. Maybe I’m being manipulated… *shrug* But I certainly felt awful when I saw that mockup. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.
Blogging to promote your brand? Heck, the big networks are doing it. You can read the blogs of the writers for Grey’s Anatomy… why not a little bit of shameful self-promotion. It almost give the little guys more of a level playing field! Then again, what would I promote?
Dani, that’s a terrific parallel! For me, I think that blogs are definitely what Soaps used to be for my Mom’s generation. Except I’ve forged a deeper connection because the people who’s lives I follow are real. And they’re interested in me too! (Who can resist it when folks care about you?)
I read the $140 toddler jean post. My mind boggles.
Perhaps I’m being too generous, but I think a lot of what that blogger writes, is truth in her world. Maybe I’m being manipulated… *shrug* But I certainly felt awful when I saw that mockup. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.
Blogging to promote your brand? Heck, the big networks are doing it. You can read the blogs of the writers for Grey’s Anatomy… why not a little bit of shameful self-promotion. It almost give the little guys more of a level playing field! Then again, what would I promote?
Have to think about this. Haven’t had my 2nd cuppa yet. BUT NFW I would spend $140.00 on a pair of jeans for myself yet alone a toddler that will outgrow them in 2 freakin’s weeks. (Don’t need a 2nd cuppa for that) I think the most I’ve spent on Jeans is $50.00 and that was hard to take. And for my kids It was Miranda and it was $60.00 because I took a pair that didn’t fit that were on sale for $30.00 and they didn’t have her size. That’s when I told her she has to start buying her own clothes. She had to have Desinger lable in grade 6 I wasn’t doing it again.(Designer be damned)
Have to think about this. Haven’t had my 2nd cuppa yet. BUT NFW I would spend $140.00 on a pair of jeans for myself yet alone a toddler that will outgrow them in 2 freakin’s weeks. (Don’t need a 2nd cuppa for that) I think the most I’ve spent on Jeans is $50.00 and that was hard to take. And for my kids It was Miranda and it was $60.00 because I took a pair that didn’t fit that were on sale for $30.00 and they didn’t have her size. That’s when I told her she has to start buying her own clothes. She had to have Desinger lable in grade 6 I wasn’t doing it again.(Designer be damned)
I could buy 7 pairs of pants for $140 and probably still have money left over for lunch. A two year old!? Yikes.
I could buy 7 pairs of pants for $140 and probably still have money left over for lunch. A two year old!? Yikes.
$140 toddler jeans? Nope. I would never buy them. Not even for myself, truth be told. But I also don’t think it matters much if Eckler buys them for her own daughter (although I worry about the values of her daughter’s generation as a result).
On whether or not she’s just writing these things to stir the pot, I’m with Beloved. So what? Whether we thing she’s writing from an honest place or not doesn’t matter if there’s an audience for her writing. And obviously the National Post thinks there is. If we don’t see ourselves as part of her audience, we’re free to pay no attention to her ramblings.
I think Marshall McLuhan would have been interested in how the blogosphere has succeeded in “retribalizing” our society. In a world seemingly full of individual ideas, we now have a way to find kindred spirits through the internet, if not in our own communities.
Truth in blogging? I never assume that what I’m reading is 100% true, even if it’s one person’s version of the truth. I think this is what makes self-published internet writing different from mainstream journalism, I think. The reader is responsible for determining truth, not so much the writer. Although with journalists now quoting (and using as sources) bloggers, maybe the boundaries are blurring?
Man, I sound like a nerd! Ya, I’m with you on the soap opera thing.
$140 toddler jeans? Nope. I would never buy them. Not even for myself, truth be told. But I also don’t think it matters much if Eckler buys them for her own daughter (although I worry about the values of her daughter’s generation as a result).
On whether or not she’s just writing these things to stir the pot, I’m with Beloved. So what? Whether we thing she’s writing from an honest place or not doesn’t matter if there’s an audience for her writing. And obviously the National Post thinks there is. If we don’t see ourselves as part of her audience, we’re free to pay no attention to her ramblings.
I think Marshall McLuhan would have been interested in how the blogosphere has succeeded in “retribalizing” our society. In a world seemingly full of individual ideas, we now have a way to find kindred spirits through the internet, if not in our own communities.
Truth in blogging? I never assume that what I’m reading is 100% true, even if it’s one person’s version of the truth. I think this is what makes self-published internet writing different from mainstream journalism, I think. The reader is responsible for determining truth, not so much the writer. Although with journalists now quoting (and using as sources) bloggers, maybe the boundaries are blurring?
Man, I sound like a nerd! Ya, I’m with you on the soap opera thing.
“Whether we thing”?? Sorry, I meant “think”. Yikes.
“Whether we thing”?? Sorry, I meant “think”. Yikes.
I wouldn’t buy the $140 jeans either. But then again I don’t have that kind of money to spend on jeans, whether they’re for myself or for my toddler.
Most of us can’t relate to making that kind of purchase because we don’t make that kind of money.
The high-end baby clothes market exists only because there is a demand. If nobody bought into it, it wouldn’t exist.
I wouldn’t buy the $140 jeans either. But then again I don’t have that kind of money to spend on jeans, whether they’re for myself or for my toddler.
Most of us can’t relate to making that kind of purchase because we don’t make that kind of money.
The high-end baby clothes market exists only because there is a demand. If nobody bought into it, it wouldn’t exist.
I have never read her blog, and you have already given me reason enough not to. Heck, I can’t keep up with the ones I like to read.
I like your soap opera comparison, very insightful!
As for blogging ones’ brand…what the hell would my brand be? I have none. So I just blog stuff. Just stuff. I know Marla’s brand is poo, maybe mine would be double trouble?
As for $140 on jeans…for anyone? BAH! Jeans? Denim, with some stitching? Maybe a pocket or two? The jeans I am wearing at the moment even have fancyh-ass sequins and beads and they were $19.99 at Winners. So there. Oh, and the brand new TOILET we bought for the basement cost the same at her child’s jeans. LMFAO!!
I have never read her blog, and you have already given me reason enough not to. Heck, I can’t keep up with the ones I like to read.
I like your soap opera comparison, very insightful!
As for blogging ones’ brand…what the hell would my brand be? I have none. So I just blog stuff. Just stuff. I know Marla’s brand is poo, maybe mine would be double trouble?
As for $140 on jeans…for anyone? BAH! Jeans? Denim, with some stitching? Maybe a pocket or two? The jeans I am wearing at the moment even have fancyh-ass sequins and beads and they were $19.99 at Winners. So there. Oh, and the brand new TOILET we bought for the basement cost the same at her child’s jeans. LMFAO!!
$140 jeans for a 2 year old? She’ll outgrow them before she outwears them. Hopefully she has a sibling to pass them down to because she’ll only be in them for a few months. I wouldn’t do it.
I also think this must be an only child, because I have 4 children, and I can’t spend $140 on one without spending the same amount on the other three. If I’m going to spend $560 on kids clothes, I’d darn well better have more than 4 pairs of jeans when I arrive home – otherwise I would expect my husband to call the men in the white coats to come and get me….
Blogging your brand? Not sure what this means, but if it’s bringing her traffic and getting her popular she must be doing something right…
Blogs as modern day soap operas? I tend to agree. Since I’ve been reading blogs I’ve stopped watching soaps. It’s more interesting to follow the real life sagas of real people. I guess Blogs are “Reality” soap opera’s. It makes sense with the whole reality TV craze.
$140 jeans for a 2 year old? She’ll outgrow them before she outwears them. Hopefully she has a sibling to pass them down to because she’ll only be in them for a few months. I wouldn’t do it.
I also think this must be an only child, because I have 4 children, and I can’t spend $140 on one without spending the same amount on the other three. If I’m going to spend $560 on kids clothes, I’d darn well better have more than 4 pairs of jeans when I arrive home – otherwise I would expect my husband to call the men in the white coats to come and get me….
Blogging your brand? Not sure what this means, but if it’s bringing her traffic and getting her popular she must be doing something right…
Blogs as modern day soap operas? I tend to agree. Since I’ve been reading blogs I’ve stopped watching soaps. It’s more interesting to follow the real life sagas of real people. I guess Blogs are “Reality” soap opera’s. It makes sense with the whole reality TV craze.
$140 for jeans that’s just stupid — what kind of blogger are you? How irresponsible, I mean…
Okay, I was trying to give you your first hateful comment, but I can’t. I do think, though, that I managed to capture the way hateful comments are usually delivered by those who don’t read enough to know that you weren’t advocating $140 Toddler Pants.
I’m not sure soap opera is right. Maybe in the way that people use both blogs and soaps to fill their time, but not in what they are. I’m with your previous commenter: Blogs are real.
Usually.
$140 for jeans that’s just stupid — what kind of blogger are you? How irresponsible, I mean…
Okay, I was trying to give you your first hateful comment, but I can’t. I do think, though, that I managed to capture the way hateful comments are usually delivered by those who don’t read enough to know that you weren’t advocating $140 Toddler Pants.
I’m not sure soap opera is right. Maybe in the way that people use both blogs and soaps to fill their time, but not in what they are. I’m with your previous commenter: Blogs are real.
Usually.
Oooo, such great responses from everyone! (More than makes up for my disappointment in the lack of response to the ARTs funding post, in fact.)
I didn’t mean so much that blogs are parallel to soap operas (although some are) but like Andrea said, both have the aspect of voyerism and even moreso, are the addiction of choice for women to escape the tedium that can sometimes consume our everyday lives, inside or outside the home. And Miche, you’re right, the feedback really is the hook, isn’t it?
Janet, you raise another interesting point in your distinction between the ‘truth’ in blogging versus ‘truth’ in the MSM, both of which I think deserve quotation marks. How much bias is acceptable before something crosses over a line? How much spin will we allow? A blog post for another day, methinks.
Nancy, LMAO at your take on Marla’s brand. I’m sure she will be thrilled!
Undercover Angel, that’s another good point. I’m getting fairly obsessive about making sure the boys get reasonably equal treatment. If I had only one, I think I’d be a little more liberal in my spending habits – but still not to the extent of triple digit denim.
James, I’m honoured at your attempt to provide my first hateful comment, and equally honoured you couldn’t bring yourself to do it!
Oooo, such great responses from everyone! (More than makes up for my disappointment in the lack of response to the ARTs funding post, in fact.)
I didn’t mean so much that blogs are parallel to soap operas (although some are) but like Andrea said, both have the aspect of voyerism and even moreso, are the addiction of choice for women to escape the tedium that can sometimes consume our everyday lives, inside or outside the home. And Miche, you’re right, the feedback really is the hook, isn’t it?
Janet, you raise another interesting point in your distinction between the ‘truth’ in blogging versus ‘truth’ in the MSM, both of which I think deserve quotation marks. How much bias is acceptable before something crosses over a line? How much spin will we allow? A blog post for another day, methinks.
Nancy, LMAO at your take on Marla’s brand. I’m sure she will be thrilled!
Undercover Angel, that’s another good point. I’m getting fairly obsessive about making sure the boys get reasonably equal treatment. If I had only one, I think I’d be a little more liberal in my spending habits – but still not to the extent of triple digit denim.
James, I’m honoured at your attempt to provide my first hateful comment, and equally honoured you couldn’t bring yourself to do it!
I don’t even have to click on that link to know which blog you’re talking about. I used to read it as a guilty pleasure, almost loving the hate. Then I decided I like real pleasure better – the kind you get from reading the work of people you care about. (or um, from snark. You did not provide the link to the mock-up?!)
You see, it amazed me how a professional’s writing could fail to compel me to read more. If the situations and feelings, so vacuously expressed, are indeed genuine – how could someone not be aware that not only will some vitriol be generated, but that you are doing a disservice to whatever good parts of your soul might be buried under a (thin or thick) shell of shallow, grasping consumerism and social climbing?
If it’s in ignorance or carelessness that certain posts contain offensive topics or references, it’s only human. But it’s cavalier to include the people in your life as the subjects of those posts, or even as asides without taking a little more discretion. Blithely putting references to “my” nanny annoyed me, because technically, it’s the child’s nanny. People aren’t possessions, and I think that’s where I found the rub. It’s not only that some of the references are unkind. The child, the permanent fiancee, the nanny, the dog, the jeans, the vacations…her writing style doesn’t give any one of those things preeminence. It’s hard to be touched when the author seems so affected and stagy. I’d rather read the nanny’s blog.
I don’t even have to click on that link to know which blog you’re talking about. I used to read it as a guilty pleasure, almost loving the hate. Then I decided I like real pleasure better – the kind you get from reading the work of people you care about. (or um, from snark. You did not provide the link to the mock-up?!)
You see, it amazed me how a professional’s writing could fail to compel me to read more. If the situations and feelings, so vacuously expressed, are indeed genuine – how could someone not be aware that not only will some vitriol be generated, but that you are doing a disservice to whatever good parts of your soul might be buried under a (thin or thick) shell of shallow, grasping consumerism and social climbing?
If it’s in ignorance or carelessness that certain posts contain offensive topics or references, it’s only human. But it’s cavalier to include the people in your life as the subjects of those posts, or even as asides without taking a little more discretion. Blithely putting references to “my” nanny annoyed me, because technically, it’s the child’s nanny. People aren’t possessions, and I think that’s where I found the rub. It’s not only that some of the references are unkind. The child, the permanent fiancee, the nanny, the dog, the jeans, the vacations…her writing style doesn’t give any one of those things preeminence. It’s hard to be touched when the author seems so affected and stagy. I’d rather read the nanny’s blog.
Spending that much on a pair of jeans for a toddler is insane. If that mother has money to waste, I can think of a number of great charities that would be grateful for the donation.
In terms of blogging, I think that there are just as many styles of blogging as there are reasons for blogging in the first place. You can tell the people who are interested in sharing and making real connections with other people, especially compared to those people who want to stir things up, and make brief connections (as opposed to meaningful, I suppose).
There’s also the issue of quality vs quantity of comments. Personally, I’d take quality over quantity every time!
Spending that much on a pair of jeans for a toddler is insane. If that mother has money to waste, I can think of a number of great charities that would be grateful for the donation.
In terms of blogging, I think that there are just as many styles of blogging as there are reasons for blogging in the first place. You can tell the people who are interested in sharing and making real connections with other people, especially compared to those people who want to stir things up, and make brief connections (as opposed to meaningful, I suppose).
There’s also the issue of quality vs quantity of comments. Personally, I’d take quality over quantity every time!
I can think of a ton of great lessons and experiences a toddler could learn with $140 instead of a pair of jeans. I’ll never spend that much on myself, let alone any (future) kids.
I’m new to blogging, and don’t claim to have any skills or talents at it – it’s just a creative outlet for me. There’s way too much drama in real life to really seek it out for me in the blog world.
As to the soaps, I see some paralells but agree with the comment that blogs are more closely related to the “real” world (however trutful that particular blogger is) than “evil twin brothers who marry widows who don’t know they’ve married the twin who is actually their sister” that (in my brief scan of soaps) tends to dominate the soap opera world.
I can think of a ton of great lessons and experiences a toddler could learn with $140 instead of a pair of jeans. I’ll never spend that much on myself, let alone any (future) kids.
I’m new to blogging, and don’t claim to have any skills or talents at it – it’s just a creative outlet for me. There’s way too much drama in real life to really seek it out for me in the blog world.
As to the soaps, I see some paralells but agree with the comment that blogs are more closely related to the “real” world (however trutful that particular blogger is) than “evil twin brothers who marry widows who don’t know they’ve married the twin who is actually their sister” that (in my brief scan of soaps) tends to dominate the soap opera world.
Blogs are the reality TV shows – not the soap operas, I think.
I forgot to say that, because it didn’t require the use of my thesaurus.
Blogs are the reality TV shows – not the soap operas, I think.
I forgot to say that, because it didn’t require the use of my thesaurus.
That baby won’t have siblings one baby is an accessory like Paris’ dog. Two babies just cramps your style!
$20 is my limit for jeans for me. Not because we can’t afford it but, because if we have extra cash to throw around I want to do something good with it. She and her $140 baby jean cohorts need to spend some time in the hot sunny sand of Afrika seeing what $140 would be used for there. Ok rant over.
I’m not all that interested in SOAPS the characters are so unreal. Blogs (with some exceptions) are very real. I’m hooked.
That baby won’t have siblings one baby is an accessory like Paris’ dog. Two babies just cramps your style!
$20 is my limit for jeans for me. Not because we can’t afford it but, because if we have extra cash to throw around I want to do something good with it. She and her $140 baby jean cohorts need to spend some time in the hot sunny sand of Afrika seeing what $140 would be used for there. Ok rant over.
I’m not all that interested in SOAPS the characters are so unreal. Blogs (with some exceptions) are very real. I’m hooked.
I think you are right, some people are controversy just to be controversial and get attention, that is different than humor though mind you…saying things that are funny and would be horrible if true (feeding the baby crack for teething, stuff like that) is different than just jacked up stuff for the purpose of being seen (heard)…I agree, you smart woman!
I think you are right, some people are controversy just to be controversial and get attention, that is different than humor though mind you…saying things that are funny and would be horrible if true (feeding the baby crack for teething, stuff like that) is different than just jacked up stuff for the purpose of being seen (heard)…I agree, you smart woman!
I see where soaps are a good comparison–an almost-daily fix of some favorite characters.
It’s weird, though, I definitely feel a sense of community with bloggers–I’ve found so many people LIKE me in ways that I don’t have in my immediate “in real life” circle. I’ve found moms who breastfeed their toddlers and read as much as they can and cook and *think*. (All things I try to do.) About all sorts of things–kid-related and not. I find that I have so much to say to them, these strangers in the computer, but when I see people at the park or at playgroup we only talk about the kids. Maybe there is some safety in the relative anonymity…
I see where soaps are a good comparison–an almost-daily fix of some favorite characters.
It’s weird, though, I definitely feel a sense of community with bloggers–I’ve found so many people LIKE me in ways that I don’t have in my immediate “in real life” circle. I’ve found moms who breastfeed their toddlers and read as much as they can and cook and *think*. (All things I try to do.) About all sorts of things–kid-related and not. I find that I have so much to say to them, these strangers in the computer, but when I see people at the park or at playgroup we only talk about the kids. Maybe there is some safety in the relative anonymity…