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Was It a Question? It was an Exclamation!

Whisper 2 Whisper 1 Remember the game we've all played where one person whispers something to another and that person whispers the message to another? By the time it gets through half a dozen people or more, the end version is nothing like the original.

Jeanean's post yesterday, Seth Godin Says the Individual Blog is Dead! and the more than 75 comments show that this same thing happens in blogging.

That all-important exclamation point changed the meaning completely, and people reacted as much to the punctuation as the words.

In his blog, "Death of the personal blog?" Seth was askingif the individual blog was dead, not stating that it is.

Many comments were made without following the thread. I personally sent Seth an email and he responded to the post by saying:

"Wait! I didn't say it was dead. I ASKED if it was dead. My answer as "no."

But even then comments were made that didn't acknowledge his response.

email I think it is pretty special that a post can be written about a Seth Godin blog and the blogger can get great attention. This was a perfect opportunity to have a wonderful Active Rain discussion, and it' would have been even more wonderful if there were not so many random comments – It is more meaningful when we take the time to read what others say before making our own comments.

We're part of a powerful community of bloggers here with Active Rain. Don't we owe it to each other and the community to read first before commenting?

How special that Seth Godin commented on Jeaneans's post!?

Hmm...was that a question or an exclamation?

www.HomeRome.com

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Posted by Margaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty Baltimore, Md. on 12/03/2008 10:02 AM

Comments (43)

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seth godin, blogging, comments, individual blog, question, exclamation

Originally posted at: Margaret Rome's Blog: Was It a Question? It was an Exclamation!

This post has been included in Maryland Information
Post is included in group: Bright Ideas
Post is included in group: Club Chaos
Post is included in group: It's all about them (ThemThem)
Post is included in group: Seth Godin Fan Club
Post is included in group: The Ninety-ninth Percentile

43 Comments on Was It a Question? It was an Exclamation!

DEC

2008

I've been listening to Seth's audio book "Small is the New Big". There are so many "aha!" moments there. Thanks for the clarification about Seth's premise. I hadn't read his original post yet.

Margaret, I haven't read the post by Seth Godin either but, just seeing the way the title was written I can see why he may have had a real negative response. I may have to take Jasons lead and listen to Seth's audio book. What do you think?!

Margaret, I agree that we can all be better readers as well as better listeners. Some of it is all just a matter of slowing down.

Good point Margaret. I did NOT read Seth's article prior to commenting on Jeanean's post. I did read the comments before mine on her post but there were only a handful. Funny how we can read things wrong and jump to conclussions without really taking the time to make sure we understand what we are reading.

What is more interesting is that people who do read the posts in many cases ignore the punctuation and draw their own conclusions. Did you ever read the book Eat, Shoots and Leaves?

BTW- Seth commenting on a post is in my book very cool.

Sometimes I don't comment on a blog post just because I don't have the time to read the previous 50 or 100 comments. Don't want to duplicate, but don't have the time to read. This has only 5 comments so far, so I can logically read them all before commenting.

Ah yes, read the post before commenting. Rule #1. It's a good idea to read the previous comments, too. Maybe that should be Rule #2. 'Might save you from looking like a fool.

Jason, I find Seth is full of "Aha" moments. Have read some exerpts from "Small is the New Big" like 'Small is the new big only when the person running it thinks big'...or ' Get Small-Think Big' or "Small means you can tell the truth on your blog'

Don, Reading anything by Seth is a good idea.

Gary, Maybe we need to take a slow deep breath sometimes. Ahhhh, I just did!

BB Funny how we can read things wrong and jump to conclussions without really taking the time to make sure we understand what we are reading. We have all jumped before.

Josef, "Eats shoots and leaves"...have something to do with a panda in the bar?

Seth commenting on a blog is cool. Having my friend Josef Katz commenting on my blog is even more special!

Sharon, my friend, how do you have time to comment at all? Incredible profile- 472,712 points and 1279 posts! What an accomplishment!

To the other Margaret from Maryland, I like your new rules.

Yes it has to do with a panda walking into a bar...

You are too kind. So if I could get Seth to comment on a comment I leave on your post that would be even cooler... Thanks for your note the bar has now been set.

Hi Margaret~ Thanks for clarifying. I had read the post you are speaking about earlier, I just didn't comment on it as I had nothing to add.

Boy -- maybe we all ate too much turkey and drank a little too much wine! It seems like we need to take a deep breath and slow down a little bit.

DEC

2008

Hi Margaret - Sometimes when I read a blog and follow the comments it becomes nothing like the original post at all. Talk about rabbit trails! We do need to take the time to actually read the post before commenting!

Josef, Yes, that would be pretty cool. You up for the challenge?

Vickie, You always are a good addtion to the Rain

Joan, Another deep breath? I took one yesterday. Does that count?

Linda, Rabbit trails-good imaage.

What a novel idea hmmm...actually read something before we comment.

Margaret, I'm going to comment on your post and on mine. Same content. I think you've made a very valid point. I see this often, the tread of a post is missed and the writer keeps having to connect each post with the intent. This post was a random thought on my part and dashed off whether quiickly. I read Seth's post some time ago....a week or so.....seems forever ago. The thing I walked away with was his title and the question. I pondered it for days and hence the post. In those days it change in my awareness from a question market to an exclaimation point. It really wasn't intentional the exclamation point....it's just where my thinking had gotten me to. I really did want explore the topic.

After you made your comment, I realized that it might not be such a good idea to misquote Seth and so we tried to straighten things out. That's where it is rather interesting to see that we couldn't do it. Again, having to keep coming back in the comments to make the point. It is a lesson for me in writing more provocative post, however I will want to NOT misquote Seth going forward. It was not intentional and I should have incorporated the post in my post. It is interesting once again, however to realize how powerful the blogosphere is and that reading a post by Seth or any other person changes our awareness and opens our minds to new possibilities....well at least some of us. Thanks for engaging in the post and taking up for Seth! I love his comment. All day yesterday.....I kept laughing about "Wait". Only Seth would say it that way!

Jeanean, "This post was a random thought on my part and dashed off rather quiickly. "

Discussions and changes start with just a random thought by one person!

I have personally found that a LOT of people do NOT read the comments that follow a post....esp. if the number of comments is high....

Just an observation......

=-)

sometimes reading the blog alone is not enough, though I appreciate any good comment that stirs discussion, doestn have to be directly related to the post or the previous few comments

I have had many a blogger comment on my posts and change it around to their perception and vice versa. I believe we all need to take a step back and evaluate what we're commenting on. Some just feel the need to put their 2 cents without regard to if the info is actually true. I also believe that that links to the post would have been oh so appropriate in this case. Things get misconstrued if we quote others without doing so.

Great topic Margaret. If anything, it should make some think twice on how they write no matter if it's the writer or the one writing the comment.

Margaret - I'm very familiar with that game. I believe it's called whisper down the valley. I guess I should check out Jeanean's post and I certainly need to become more familiar with Mr. Godin. I think my favorite part of a blog is the ensuing thread. Even though the original message often times gets lost, it's kind of fun to roam around the jungle of seemingly unrelated banter. The point you bring up is valid though, we do ourselves a disservice if we aren't reading before adding our two pennies.

Funny post, Margaret. I see this happen a lot when I get comment where it is obvious that the reader only read the first few sentences.

I saw that article that quoted Seth Godin and then I read all of the comments including his comment clarifying what he has said-wrote. He asked the question, not made the statement.

Which, to me, just shows that folks read articles, but often do not read comments. Otherwise the rumor would not have spread.

is this something that you a pulling from somewhere, like a service, or are you actually writing this?

I am asking, to find out if we have something in common from what you posted.

thank you

OK, I have not read the original post but this one, along with all the comments was very thought provoking. I read lots of posts every day and I don't comment on lots of them, only ones where I think my comment might actually mean something. I'm still very new at this but isn't that what it's all about? On the other hand, sometimes when I'm having a face to face conversation I can see the other party isn't really listening to me but rather simply waiting to get his/her word in. Time to move on from there.

In my neighborhood we called it "Whisper Down The Lane" :-). I have Seth's book Tribes. It's a really good read. The Blog is as old as the back fence or the water cooler. While it might change, it will be around in some form or other...maybe telepathy...chips in our ears for the communal chatter :-) so I wouldn't have to type so much.

Not only am I up for the challenge I just started a Seth Godin fan club group in AR. You were the inspiration. Lets see if this helps us reach our goal.

I think that they way something is written can be taken a lot of different ways. Great post by the way! I need to put some images in my blogs, how hard is it?

Hi Margaret,

THAT is really funny - clearly a big difference between a ? and a !.

That being said, I still think individuals blogging is indeed dead. :)

Engage brain before opening mouth

It's always a good idea to attentively listen, or in this case read, before adding your opinion. It's interesting to see how one misread sentence or comment, taken out of context, can lead to a misleading statement, which others then expound, with their un-informed comments.

Margaret,

And further to Seth's point, the blog should be about the reader first.....I agree and it is something we should all strive for, makes for a great read.

I think I followed the thread:-)

Margaret,

I completely agree with your post. I originally read that post and all the comments, including the one where "you" mention Seths comment! At that point I decided Not to comment since the thread was so obviously unconnected. What would be the point? This post, however seems to be retaining its dignity:) Also, I think it "is" special when someone like Seth or Josef comments on an Active Rain blog. To me this is what makes the blogging community so unique. Having Lenn Harley comment on your blog is special also:))

Margaret- My day starts off by reading Seth's posts...he always has something of interest. Your post is a good reminder to read before you write!

Hi Margaret:

How true.

So many times I read through posts and the responses are way off track.

Especially the ones that have many responses.

Then I go back and read the original post, just to make sure that I'm not crazy!

Alex, Good observation.

James, We like good comments that stirs the discussion.

Sallly Thank you for this comment:" Things get misconstrued if we quote others without doing so..... If anything, it should make some think twice on how they write no matter if it's the writer or the one writing the comment.

Jason, Like what you have to say: Even though the original message often times gets lost, it's kind of fun to roam around the jungle of seemingly unrelated banter. The point you bring up is valid though, we do ourselves a disservice if we aren't reading before adding our two pennies.

Kris, Thanks for stopping by.

Lenn, Always appreciate what you have to say. You share such wisdom.

Larry, Yes, I actually wrote this. What do you think we have in common ?

Marian, Good point; kind of like talking to me while I am on Active Rain or hubby is watching football

Judy, Thanks for naming the game.

Josef, Going to join your new group. I love being the inspiration!.

Jason, There are some really good tutorials. Call me if you need help. All technology is easy when you know how to use it.

Mark, Sure! Sure?

Rebecca. It is all about making it good for the reader.

Karen, Having you comment is most special to me!

Matt, Sounds like we are both reading Seth in the mornings.

Toula, You definitely are not crazy but do know what you mean.

Margaret, I see this happen all the time, and have experienced it. Sometimes I try to correct or answer the same question that has already been answered but then just say forget it and give up. People skim posts 99% of the time, that is why <h1> tags help the eyes. Now I hadn't read Jeaneans so I will go do so.

I read an article in lasts month's Wired magazine and there was an article that did say the personal blog was dead. I think you are right on by clarifying what was said. Besides, look at all the folks just here at AR? More and more folks are getting into it?

Missy, You add so much to AR with your blogging and meaningful comments. Thanks for stopping by.

Audrey,Glad you are one that is getting into it!

Isn't it funny how a guy can write four books (of which non are best sellers) do three speeches ( of which no one can remember what was said) and a handful (three people) can almost make us believe he's a God. Get over it not many know who he is, and the rest when it gets right down to it don't care. I think people can read and get a different meaning or lesson from they same source. Seems like there's a job on A/R for proof reading and if there is, you get the job. Will all the correct everytime and perfect people please stand up, there you go I see you yes it is you. Good Luck and God Bless

Margaret ... thank you for the clarification.. I was like... NO WAY....

DEC

2008

Margaret, I think that sometimes questions are posed to get people to think and react. Apparently Seth accomplished this purpose!

Join my NEW group for professionals who work from their home office at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Regina P. Brown
Allison James Estates & Homes
www.ReginaBrown.AllisonJamesInc.com

Hi Margaret! Reading is a form of listening and some do it far better than others! I've not read the blog but, understand what you're talking about--I recently wrote a post 'simulating' and explaining that I was entering a contest and presented a listing presentation for a 'fake' multi-million dollar home. Some of the comments were similar to, "Good luck on your new listing!" "Hope you land the listing!" We know who is listening to us and who isn't!

Also--I am notorious for using punctuation improperly when it comes to the question mark and the exclamation point. I use both when I'm asking a question with an obvious answer. I know it's wrong but, I just can't help myself!

Ladies and gentlemen, we need to put this to rest. It was never my intention to cause hard feelings or distress to anyone, and I apologize if that has been the result. I wanted only to point out that everyone (yes, everyone) can misread or misunderstand when in a hurry or distracted, and that it can make for interesting conversation. Thanks to all who have read and commented, but I'm disturbed by the turn this has taken and so I'm ending it here.

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