Careful… Your Words Could End Up Lighting Your Blog on Fire

Wed, May 12, 2010

If you’re new to blogging, ask any seasoned blogger how easy it can be to set your blog on fire and I bet ya the answer will be, “easy”.

What is setting your blog on fire, you ask?

It’s when you purposely or inadvertently say something that others might take offense to or strongly disagree with to the point where your comment section gets thrown into a heated debate. Sometimes these debates can be quite intense and downright mean.

As an example, my wife read an article featured on Access Hollywood talking about how Newsweek published an article by a guy named Ramin Setoodeh which took the stance that if you’re gay then you really have no chance at convincing people (as an entertainer) that you are a straight guy or girl.

Take a look at the article’s title and subheading:

Straight Jacket: Heterosexual actors play gay all the time. Why doesn’t it ever work in reverse?

Heck, the title alone is enough to light up your comment section and throw you for a whirlwind of intense debate.

But This Kind of Thing Gets Attention to My Blog, Right?

It sure does.

The question is, do you run the kind of blog which pushes the boundaries of the status quo and do you really want to deal with nasty messages and even hatred toward you?

The decision is yours.

Have you ever set your blog on fire?

Blogging

12 Responses to “Careful… Your Words Could End Up Lighting Your Blog on Fire”

Davina Says:
May 12th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Some people seem to thrive on this kind of attention. I’ve seen comment sections turn awry even when the blogger has the best intentions. For someone to purposefully write something that is offensive and still approve the comments, well, I think they’re asking for it. I won’t publish particularly nasty or rude comments on my blog; have only received two off-colour comments in the near 2 years I’ve been blogging. So far so good
Davina´s last blog ..The Muse is My Master

vered | blogger for hire Says:
May 13th, 2010 at 9:25 am

Yes – when I criticized the concept of “fat acceptance.” As it turns out, there’s a “fat pride” movement that denies any correlation between excess weight and health problems, or that being fat is a choice, and these people got really offended by my post.

For that post, I decided to publish the comments even though some of them were mean, becuase I thought their comments were important and relevant to the discussion – they gave an interesting glimpse into how these people think. I did end up closing the comments section when they started attacking my regular readers.

My subscriber count jumped nicely after that blog post, and remained high, and I got tons of links pointing to my blog following that blog post, so I can actually see why people would do this on purpose, although I personally wouldn’t.
vered | blogger for hire´s last blog ..Coping With Motherhood

John Hoff Says:
May 13th, 2010 at 3:12 pm

@Davina – I too have been pretty lucky. I guess showing people how to install Google Analytics on their blogs doesn’t invoke anger from anyone LOL. Can’t believe anything you have said would even cause just two people to leave bad comments. They must of really had a chip on their shoulders.

@Vered – I’m still trying to decided if that’s a funny story or not. I bet that took you by surprise when you started receiving comments like that.

Cath Lawson Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 5:09 am

LOL John – I’ve had a few. The worst was when I criticized the StumbleUpon freaks and the hassle I got was just not worth all the publicity.

But you always offend some people without meaning it and even if you have the best of intentions someone will always misunderstand what you say. I must admit, I got to know which type of posts would piss one particular blogger off, so I would sometimes bait him. It always created a lengthy and interesting conversation.

John Hoff Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 8:25 am

That’s my Cath, living on the edge and not taking shit from anyone! What StumbleUpon did to you I thought was ridiculous.

It seems like we humans are wired to like seeing or hearing arguments. I know when it comes to TV and radio, those kinds of shows always make great ratings.

Why would blogs be any different?

Lillea Woodlyns Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 4:26 pm

It’s a tough one for me. I don’t like engaging in heated exchanges, and often don’t like reading them either. But sometimes I have views and thoughts that I would like to express that I think others might appreciate that might also attract some negative comments. So far I haven’t ventured too much into that, even if it ‘sells’ because I don’t want to drain of having the back and forths, but I wonder if I’m holding back too much at the same time!

On a more minor level, in ‘real’ life I swear a bit. Not excessively, and usually only privately around friends, but online I have avoided it for the most part, or written things like s—. I don’t ‘need’ to swear online, but sometimes when I’m expressing something that bothers me it would be more genuine to do it. Sometimes the S or F word captures the essence of something better than any other word or phrase. I feel that when done right, swearing is like spice – a bit can enhance what is being said and convey some of the emotions well, too much and it overwhelms and seems cheap and tacky.

It comes across just fine when John does it above. Genuine. That’s the spice version.
Lillea Woodlyns´s last blog ..Pen Names Online: Acceptable Business Practice or More Misleading Marketing?

John Hoff Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 9:49 pm

Hi Lillea.

I’m very much like you in that I don’t swear a whole lot in real life, but around friends and family I do once in a while. However, online I rarely curse. Maybe it’s because we know the people in our own personal circles won’t be offended by it.

I think you’re right on with how when used right they really can convey how strongly you feel about something in a sentence.

And thanks… I always go for the spice!
John Hoff´s last blog ..Careful… Your Words Could End Up Lighting Your Blog on Fire

Lillea Woodlyns Says:
May 16th, 2010 at 12:00 am

Hi John,

Oh yes, good point – without being able to see/know our online audience it can be (or at least feel) more risky. But the spice aspect is good so I’m glad to see it here.
Lillea Woodlyns´s last blog ..WordPress Security Tips: 30 Fixes Anyone Can Do

Debbie Yost Says:
May 17th, 2010 at 9:48 am

For the most part, I try to avoid controversy. I have posted a few things on my personal blog that could have been interpreted wrong. I try to encourage responses to be respectful. I don’t care if you don’t agree with me, and you may point out something that I didn’t know and change my mind. Kind of like Vered’s experience. However, I often shy away from issues that can get heated like religion and politics. Even in my Down syndrome advocacy role, I often avoid more controversial issues. The “End the “R” Word” campaign is a big issue. I’ve read lots of really good posts and still there will be nasty comments. I get to the point where I think there is nothing I can say that will change those people’s minds and the others already get it. It is hurtful to me to hear some of the nastiness so I avoid it.
I have considered, however, what I would do if I got a nasty comment. My first inclination is to delete it. It is my blog afterall. I’ve also considered not allowing comments on a post if it was one such as the “R” word issue. I’m not sure how that would be received.
When I have had a post that got lots of hits, though, it usually doesn’t last. I’ve never had any success if getting a higher readership because of a controversial post.
Debbie Yost´s last blog ..What “The Blind Side” Teaches Us

John Hoff Says:
May 18th, 2010 at 6:05 am

@Debbie – you’re absolutely right–it’s your blog and you have control. If you don’t want those comments, sensor up!

Hopefully you don’t get any of those jerks out there commenting, you’re like just way too nice of a person!
John Hoff´s last blog ..Want To Dive Into Video Blogging? Here’s Where To Start

Anthony Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 11:12 am

I have blogs that I go to for learning and others for entertainment. I enjoy some blogs that push the boundaries. Somebody has to right? There is always crossing the line, but a blogger who blogs to talk about touchy issues knows this risk. I’ve seen a couple successful blogs like this and others that are just plain stupid. I guess I would say it really depends on the writer.
Anthony´s last blog ..What A Camp Fire Can Teach An Entrepreneur

John Hoff Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 1:15 pm

Hi Anthony. And I bet a lot of those people actually like the fact that their blogs light fires as well.

Davina Says:
May 12th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Some people seem to thrive on this kind of attention. I’ve seen comment sections turn awry even when the blogger has the best intentions. For someone to purposefully write something that is offensive and still approve the comments, well, I think they’re asking for it. I won’t publish particularly nasty or rude comments on my blog; have only received two off-colour comments in the near 2 years I’ve been blogging. So far so good
Davina´s last blog ..The Muse is My Master
vered | blogger for hire Says:
May 13th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Yes – when I criticized the concept of “fat acceptance.” As it turns out, there’s a “fat pride” movement that denies any correlation between excess weight and health problems, or that being fat is a choice, and these people got really offended by my post.

For that post, I decided to publish the comments even though some of them were mean, becuase I thought their comments were important and relevant to the discussion – they gave an interesting glimpse into how these people think. I did end up closing the comments section when they started attacking my regular readers.

My subscriber count jumped nicely after that blog post, and remained high, and I got tons of links pointing to my blog following that blog post, so I can actually see why people would do this on purpose, although I personally wouldn’t.
vered | blogger for hire´s last blog ..Coping With Motherhood
John Hoff Says:
May 13th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@Davina – I too have been pretty lucky. I guess showing people how to install Google Analytics on their blogs doesn’t invoke anger from anyone LOL. Can’t believe anything you have said would even cause just two people to leave bad comments. They must of really had a chip on their shoulders.

@Vered – I’m still trying to decided if that’s a funny story or not. I bet that took you by surprise when you started receiving comments like that.
Cath Lawson Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 5:09 am
LOL John – I’ve had a few. The worst was when I criticized the StumbleUpon freaks and the hassle I got was just not worth all the publicity.

But you always offend some people without meaning it and even if you have the best of intentions someone will always misunderstand what you say. I must admit, I got to know which type of posts would piss one particular blogger off, so I would sometimes bait him. It always created a lengthy and interesting conversation.
John Hoff Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 8:25 am
That’s my Cath, living on the edge and not taking shit from anyone! What StumbleUpon did to you I thought was ridiculous.

It seems like we humans are wired to like seeing or hearing arguments. I know when it comes to TV and radio, those kinds of shows always make great ratings.

Why would blogs be any different?
Lillea Woodlyns Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
It’s a tough one for me. I don’t like engaging in heated exchanges, and often don’t like reading them either. But sometimes I have views and thoughts that I would like to express that I think others might appreciate that might also attract some negative comments. So far I haven’t ventured too much into that, even if it ‘sells’ because I don’t want to drain of having the back and forths, but I wonder if I’m holding back too much at the same time!

On a more minor level, in ‘real’ life I swear a bit. Not excessively, and usually only privately around friends, but online I have avoided it for the most part, or written things like s—. I don’t ‘need’ to swear online, but sometimes when I’m expressing something that bothers me it would be more genuine to do it. Sometimes the S or F word captures the essence of something better than any other word or phrase. I feel that when done right, swearing is like spice – a bit can enhance what is being said and convey some of the emotions well, too much and it overwhelms and seems cheap and tacky.

It comes across just fine when John does it above. Genuine. That’s the spice version.
Lillea Woodlyns´s last blog ..Pen Names Online: Acceptable Business Practice or More Misleading Marketing?
John Hoff Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Hi Lillea.

I’m very much like you in that I don’t swear a whole lot in real life, but around friends and family I do once in a while. However, online I rarely curse. Maybe it’s because we know the people in our own personal circles won’t be offended by it.

I think you’re right on with how when used right they really can convey how strongly you feel about something in a sentence.

And thanks… I always go for the spice!
John Hoff´s last blog ..Careful… Your Words Could End Up Lighting Your Blog on Fire
Lillea Woodlyns Says:
May 16th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Hi John,

Oh yes, good point – without being able to see/know our online audience it can be (or at least feel) more risky. But the spice aspect is good so I’m glad to see it here.
Lillea Woodlyns´s last blog ..WordPress Security Tips: 30 Fixes Anyone Can Do
Debbie Yost Says:
May 17th, 2010 at 9:48 am
For the most part, I try to avoid controversy. I have posted a few things on my personal blog that could have been interpreted wrong. I try to encourage responses to be respectful. I don’t care if you don’t agree with me, and you may point out something that I didn’t know and change my mind. Kind of like Vered’s experience. However, I often shy away from issues that can get heated like religion and politics. Even in my Down syndrome advocacy role, I often avoid more controversial issues. The “End the “R” Word” campaign is a big issue. I’ve read lots of really good posts and still there will be nasty comments. I get to the point where I think there is nothing I can say that will change those people’s minds and the others already get it. It is hurtful to me to hear some of the nastiness so I avoid it.
I have considered, however, what I would do if I got a nasty comment. My first inclination is to delete it. It is my blog afterall. I’ve also considered not allowing comments on a post if it was one such as the “R” word issue. I’m not sure how that would be received.
When I have had a post that got lots of hits, though, it usually doesn’t last. I’ve never had any success if getting a higher readership because of a controversial post.
Debbie Yost´s last blog ..What “The Blind Side” Teaches Us
John Hoff Says:
May 18th, 2010 at 6:05 am
@Debbie – you’re absolutely right–it’s your blog and you have control. If you don’t want those comments, sensor up!

Hopefully you don’t get any of those jerks out there commenting, you’re like just way too nice of a person!
John Hoff´s last blog ..Want To Dive Into Video Blogging? Here’s Where To Start
Anthony Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 11:12 am
I have blogs that I go to for learning and others for entertainment. I enjoy some blogs that push the boundaries. Somebody has to right? There is always crossing the line, but a blogger who blogs to talk about touchy issues knows this risk. I’ve seen a couple successful blogs like this and others that are just plain stupid. I guess I would say it really depends on the writer.
Anthony´s last blog ..What A Camp Fire Can Teach An Entrepreneur
John Hoff Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Hi Anthony. And I bet a lot of those people actually like the fact that their blogs light fires as well.