Thursday, June 19, 2014

A not-at-all-nasty diatribe

First, I want to say I'm not here.  What I mean is, I'm not on my computer, I'm not reading blogs or looking at fun art.  Today, and for a few days, I'm on hiatus.  A much needed hiatus!!  But it's also the perfect time for a rant.  Now I know many of you love lots of fun photos and few words, but that won't be the case today.

I always thought the word "diatribe" meant discourse by a single person.  I never thought of it as negative, but someone who had something to say, and said it without interruption to an audience (like bloggers).  In other words, someone who was standing on their soapbox and letting everyone know their feelings about certain things or events.  I was obviously using the archaic sense of the word which means discourse or lively dissertation.

I decided to look the word up before I used it again.  I've used the word often in the past and apparently, I'm using the wrong word for the meaning I wish to convey.  I learned diatribe means everything from a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation to a thunderous verbal attack to wasting time, depending on which dictionary you use.


So today I'm here with the not-at-all-nasty version and meaning of diatribe that has me standing on my soapbox.

So what, you ask, is this diatribe I'm talking about?  I snagged this screen shot with the help of Darla's blog (Bay side to mountain side).  The diatribe is about the "reply" button.

Now Darla feels it's conversational when she leaves replies to comments.  But, Darla, I am in more than a few blog hops each week, some of which leave upwards of 50 (and on rare occasions, even more) comments.  If I had to go back and look at the reply you (not just Darla, but the all encompassing "you") leave, my slow internet connection would soon blow up, or possibly shut down, from buffering (that circling ring that happens when my slow computer is trying to communicate with the slow internet connection).

That's why I don't leave replies on my blog.  I don't even use the reply button.  I think it's a waste of your time and mine.  If I have something to say to you, I'll visit YOUR blog, not my blog, and leave a reply.  So you never have to worry, or come back to see if I've left some tidbit of information that you asked about.  You'll either read about it on YOUR blog, or if enough people ask the same question, I'll edit my post and let you know I've edited it with the answer to your question.

Now I'll step down from my soap box, but before I do, since this is supposed to be an art blog,

I'll share an old ATC I made back in 2009 using scraps, even though it has nothing to do with my commentary.

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you'll share your thoughts on my not-at-all-nasty diatribe.  You never know.  It might even turn into a lively and friendly debate!

25 thoughtful remarks:

Anonymous said...

I quite like your diatribe. I try and respond back to comment via email to the person who left them or if I cannot by email because they don't go through, i go to the blog of that person as well. I don't reply on my own blog, it never made mich sense to me to do it that way eother. xox

Pointy Bird Studio - Leesa Padget said...

I am definitely a blog novice and I agree, I am always checking back to see if anyone answered my comment - also I am answering comments on my blog and not even sure if anyone is seeing them! Google+ seems a good way of doing things but I am such a social network amateur I am sure that I am not doing that right either :)

Nan G said...

Enjoy your hiatus Elizabeth. And I concur with your views. It's time consuming to say the least to have to pop back to all the blogs i visit to look for answers or carry in a conversation. Hugs

Ohhh Snap said...

I almost always respond on a person's blog, unless it's of more personal nature (then email), but if I can't find their blog url or an email addy, I just respond on my blog. Sometimes it'll be a question that I answer on my blog AND on their blog lol.

I only do WOYWW and the PTI monthly blog as a rule, and I rarely get more than 12 comments so it's manageable for me : ). Until 2008 I had dial up, so I can sympathize with slow lol.

Enjoy your time re-charging!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Enjoy your well-deserved hiatus! I agree with you completely about the reply button. As I have begun participating in more challenges, I often think how does one keep up with everything?I simply don't have the time to revisit the same blogs I have commented on just to see if there is a reply. Blogger or whatever else may be the cause is simply not consistent--by that I mean I receive some comments posted to my blog by email--to which I often reply if there is a reason other than to just say "thanks". Other comments (yours included) get posted to the blog but not emailed to me. Some get emailed to me in triplicate. Very frustrating!

So, I have adopted/copied your style of making comments on the other person's blog if I have something to say or ask.

Is there room for me up on your soapbox? :)

Bea said...

Create, dream, journal,create some more and thoroughly enjoy your time to yourself.
About a year ago I stopped responding to any comments on my blog, on the blog itself. If someone has an email addy I reply. My blog isn't really a conversation it's a written process for my family and friends to know what I am up to and that I am still above ground and kicking. I love to hear from my readers and When I get time I visit their blogs and spend a good amount of time catching up on their activities.
I always enjoy a visit to your blog. I love to catch up with you, nod my head at what you are up to and smile and sometimes giggle.
You know I've been there even if I don't leave a comment. You can feel my creative energy handprint, right? lol Anyway, rest, love and by all means CREATE you and I both know it's great for your soul.
:)Bea
Doginthehole@aol.com
& Writing In the Margins

Halle said...

I never go back and read or even look for a reply. If someone wants to say something to me about my comment they should either email or leave a comment on my blog. I hardly have time to get around to all those I want to see in the first place.

elle said...

I definitely agree!

Divers and Sundry said...

Different strokes for different folks. :) I don't get much traffic, and it's easy for me to respond to comments on my blog. I leave comments on lots of blogs. Some respond to all comments, and some respond to some comments and not others depending on the interactive qualities of the comment. If it looks like the blogger responds on that blog to comments left there then I subscribe to comments on that post, so I don't have to go back & check coz I'll be notified by mail.

Some responses lead to conversations among folks who're reading that blog post, and I _love_ that -the interaction among folks (most of whom don't know each other) around the topic posed by the original blog post. Especially on political topics or book/movie opinion posts, I enjoy the give-and-take sharing of opinions among the blogger's followers that can't occur when the blogger leaves replies back on the commenter's blog.

Darla said...

Ouch! You called me out. Yes, I have a reply button. To make matters worse I am not consistent about using it. To quote author Catherine Aird "If you can't be a good example, the you'll just have to be a horrible warning"

Darla

Cindy McMath said...

My first thought when I read this was "Amen"! Halle's response said all I wanted to say, so I don't think I have much to add.

Elizabeth, regarding the flower you commented on (on my ICAD with the little girl that was supposed to go on my SOC card) is a piece of tape from the clearance section of Michael's! I love putting all those cool washi and tissue tapes under paint - they create such an interesting texture and often leave people to wonder "how did she do that"!

thanks for bringing up this subject. And I loved seeing your ATC - it's a great piece!

Krisha said...

I agree with you Elizabeth, even though I don't get many comments, except for WOYWW and T-day. I do try to revisit all who leave a comment and leave a thank you.

Jo Murray said...

Well Elizabeth, that makes sense to me. However, I've NEVER had more than a few responses to my blog so I guess I don't have to make a decision about it...yet.

Robin said...

Hello my friend! First off, congrats on your hiatus. I just got off one for many different reasons.

I am SO HAPPY to read this post. I do not have a REPLY button that I have been able to find anywhere in my settings and if I did, I wouldn't use it. Blogging/computer/typing is painful and takes a lot of time for me.

I agree with you as I do reply directly to the blogger or reply on their blogs. I also have satellite internet which can be slow to slower depending on which way the wind is blowing at any given time.

BTW, what a cute ATC. Reminds me of best friends. Take care and hope to hear from you or Bluebeard very soon :) Hugs!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Totally with you on this - if I am asked a question I will answer (if possible ) on that persons own blog. Just one thing though, I don't know how to remove the reply button on my blog. Chrisx

Rita said...

I had so few followers for years, so I used to reply back on my blog. We even had detailed conversations going sometimes in the comment section--LOL! But I switched over to replying by email when that's an option. But I do follow a few bloggers who chat in their comment section. If I know they always respond there I can click on following the comment section. Everybody deals with the time and effort of blogging in their own way, I guess. I already have less time than I used to have with all the nesting going on for the new grandbaby so I am not sure how I will proceed. I figure it will sort itself out. I will always try to keep in touch with the people who are kind enough to take the time to comment. :)

~*~Patty S said...

I quite agree with you here E...visiting a blog post once is an ongoing accomplishment...the chances of me revisiting are just not possible...
I had tried early on to reply to each and every comment left on my blog...I really do appreciate people taking the time to say a few words...I am finding that more and more challenging especially since a year or so ago WordPress changed the way comments come to my email...I can no longer just hit "reply" instead I have to delete the automatic address that would post directly to my blog post and cut and paste the person's email address and write a reply...I almost cried when WP made that change but did get better at the new and more complicated reply process over time...
Keeping up seems to be more and more challenging when seasons change and other activities also change...
didn't mean to get long winded ;-)
I like your ATC...I miss making them!
Have a good break...you do so much!
oxo

~*~Patty S said...

me again forgot to answer your question about my plaster on tissue paper...
I used a small plastic doily and really enjoy how the tissue paper melts into the surface after the plaster has dried on it

Unknown said...

The reply button is helpful when answering a question that others might ask too. It's a good way to elaborate or explain further - other readers can see the reply and have their question answered too. That's when I usually use it.

Rebeca Trevino said...

wow! i never thought this was a problem, but i guess it is. i agree with kim (above) often answering a question where the question is asked, helps others who may be wondering the same thing.

but i agree with you too, if is just a comment to the comment, like 'thanks for stopping', it will most likely go unread by the intended.

i just like doing it just in case . . .
have fun, at what ever you are doing. rest, relax enjoy . . . we will be here when you get back.

Rebeca Trevino said...

ps: this is exactly what you are talking about, isn't it? about the comment you left on my site today:
this piece has 4 porcelain knobs for feet (not 3) i corrected the typo. and i feel like i will need to leave this message on my blog as a reply to you, because others may read your comment and wonder what the heck we are talking about ... you probably won't see it however. (it's complicated, i know)
anyway - as always thanks E-
have a great weekend. Rebeca

HeatherD said...

I don't have a blog and I had a question about what kind of adhesive you used on the art journal that used a napkin as a background. It looked so smooth. I don't know of any other way to contact you. I will try giving you my e-mail address in the hopes that you will answer this question. I enjoy your blog very much. I am a fellow Kansan...I live in the northeast part of the state. hmcid@hotmail.com

Dianne said...

I only just recently figured out what that 'reply' button was for...and never use it! you are quite entitled to your opinion, and it's refreshing the way you always tell your readers "up front" what to expect. I always enjoy your friendly discussions (info, reminders, and 'diatribes!')...enjoy your time away from the digital screen! ♥ hugs...

Monica said...

I do not know if I have a reply button. I read the comments on email and only look at them on my blog if I get confused because i forgot to delete them from my email and have to check if posted. Old age has so many built in excuses. Ah well Have to agree with you.

gardenpinks said...

Enjoy your hiatus Elizabeth and Bleubeard!
As for the reply button, I came to the conclusion a while ago that very few peeps come back to see if there is a reply to their comment so I stopped replying although there are a couple of followers who I do reply to because they expect it and do come back to check!! Any questions regarding something I have done I will reply to on my blog for any one else to read but will also answer via that person's blog or email them.
I know in the past I have left questions on blogs but have never received an answer to that question and that does cause me to think 'How rude!!' however I always appreciate comments left on my blog posts and feel so glad that someone took the time to leave a comment.
Love the ATC:)
Lynn xx