That is the question that I’ve asked myself several times during my 2-year blogging experience. In the beginning, I set out to use my blog as a place to record my innocent random thoughts. It had evolved into a forum and a soap box. Now, my random thoughts include decisions I disagree with, parenting issues, or world politics. I also have strong feelings about blogging faux pas, religious differences, or people’s driving habits, which I haven’t taken the time to write about. It’s not because I hate controversy. I just don’t want to be a sensationalist.
There was a Dosh Dosh article that suggest I should write as if no one was reading. It would, as Jay put it, “loosen my fingers”. However, I might forget to exercise restraint and go on an all out rant. I read some blogs that were filled with words of of hate and pain, it made me want to stick my brain in the freezer to cool myself off.
I read an entry by Jennifer at CatalystBlogger that reminded me to be professional when making a rant post. She has the same thinking as I do when I have a decision to write a negative post. What if one day someone reads my post and it happens to be my family, friend, or employer, and he/she gets offended? It could cost my relationship with them. So why should I put myself in that predicament?
Maybe it’s an age thing or personality thing. Or maybe it’s simply a courage thing. Some people have it, some people don’t. From my perspective, there are enough troubles in the world; We don’t need to fan it further with angry words. It’s far worse when they lead to physical violence. It might be a tiresome cliché, but this world will be a better place if we all just get along. The very least, agree to disagree.
Thanks to Melissa at Writing Forward for the lead to Jennifer’s blog.
Tags: rant
Building IT
Jot It Down
I don’t think broadcasting rants requires one bit of courage — just a lot of anger and venom. What takes real courage? Working through that anger and trying to translate it into something positive. Not that I don’t ever go off on rants, oh I do, but I always try to eke out the silver lining.
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..I’ve Been Interviewed – Announcement and Exercise
Hi Melissa. Yeah, I also try to put a positive opinion out of my otherwise negative posts. It’s more useful to be positive than negative.
If asked, I think you’re puting your blogging into good use. Mine had also evolved from a heartache, to self-reflection, to humor, to just plain ranting about the fact that I sent a postal mail with a machine that spits out stamps. Whatever the reason is, there’s no wrong and right way to blog. It’s all about putting a little peice of your sanity (or lack of) out there.
Great post. Give mine a visit too when you get a chance.
Cheers always,
~Marjie
Marjie’s last blog post..Effortless.
Unless of course you’re Maddox. Then ranting is encouraged.
I suppose that’s sort of a pseudo-rant though. It makes people laugh rather than frown…most people.
J.F.H.’s last blog post..Walking Home Last Night, A Banana Fell on My Head
I love to read rants as long as they are smart. I mean, just offending people for the sake of it isn’t fun. But debating is.
For example, I’m an atheist myself and I wrote a post about religion a while ago. Coming from France, I was surprise to see North America was that religious. Anyway, I got a lot of comments, all respectful and people exchanging ideas. I loved the experience.
Zhu’s last blog post..Supper’s Ready
@Marjie:
I frequently visit your blog. Thanks for your kind words. Also thanks for placing an EntreCard ad with me. 🙂
@JFH:
Hah! That site gives me a headache. Fun maybe once or twice, but that constant ranting gets tiresome.
@Zhu:
I like a good debate too. You’re right, it is ok to argue about the ideology or lifestyle, but when it gets into personal attacks, that’s where I graciously back out. Just not worth the time and effort. I hope to see you debate my point of views, ok? 😉
An occasional rant is okay. But blogging about work, or anyone you work with can be a bad thing. Some bloggers have lost their jobs due to their blogging.
mikster’s last blog post..Deserving?
Hi mikster. I made that blogging mistake before, but luckily my friend pointed it out to me earlier so I was able to correct it.
You gotta let it out sometimes, and readers usually appreciate the honesty, as long as it’s real and it doesn’t occur in every post, which could get old in a hurry!
nat’s last blog post..Top 5 On Friday
I guess it all depends. You might wanna censor your blog a little if you feel like someone close may read it. But if you wanna boost your readership, then write some uncensored, straight from the gut posts.
Leon’s last blog post..My thoughts on…High School Musical
@nat:
Yeah, I was just saying that about the Maddox website. Too much ranting is just tiresome. I still think a blog should be useful not only to the owner, but to the readers too.
@Leon:
I do disapprove comments that are blatantly offensive and spam-like in nature. I want readership, but I don’t want to have to purposely write a post just to generate controversy and boost traffic. I still believe in “If you build it, they will come”.