241 comments:
uberfrau
Nobody comments on my blog anymore either. I'd like to think it's because my wit is intimidtaing. Henceforth, I shall comment moreo n your blog. I'd use your fancy button, but I don't think wordpress will let me. Facist.
Schmutzie
I am guilty of not commenting on your either, Uberfrau. Mea culpa.
DD
I think it's because most writers are writing better and readers are awed into silence. That would of course explain the increase in my comments.
Randall
Can I delurk today? I don't know what my commitment level to delurking will be like next Wednesday. But I can commit to it today. and yeah, it's quiet out there these days. Like the calm before the storm. Maybe algore is going to close the internet for cleaning or something. Anyway, I am now officially delurked. Have a good weekend.
ali
i must admit that commenting has become a little frustrating for me of late. most of the good sites that i read tend to be more "popular" bloggers (which makes sense...duh...they are popular because they are good)...and many of the popular bloggers dont reply to comments or emails because they get too many. now, i'm not faulting them for doing it, i totally understand, but sometimes it makes me think twice about commenting. like the blogger doesn't really care about my comment...or something. so maybe other people are feeling like that too?
TX Poppet
Because I am one of the worst offenders, I put one of your cute buttons on my site and pledge to leave a comment for everyone on my reader list including you. MOFO no mo'!
Schmutzie
Ali, I get that feeling, too, and then I remember all the comments I've never responded to on my own site but truly enjoyed, and I know that it can be difficult to have so many conversations in one day. But look! I'm responding! This is actually something I'm trying to work on, so thanks for mentioning it.
srah
Wheeeee! I shall post your button this evening! If those mofos don't delurk, I will tell their mommies.
I never thought bloggers thought much about comments from readers they don't know personally. I follow about 25 blogs daily and I don't think I've commented once on any of them. You guys seem so untouchable. Even smaller bloggers seem to know the blog celebrities in the real world. It's like you're all part of the cool club but you let us less cool people listen in on the fun. I guess thats why I've never delurked before. The less cool aren't supposed to interupt the club's conversations...
Saskboy
I'm not worried about leaving semi-incoherent, offtopic comments on blogs, so I leave "good post" or "I agree" when I have nothing witty to add, or don't want to pick a fight. But I'm a Commenter, and a confirmed non-lurker. Most web users are lurkers though, and us Commenters just have to accept that they are different and aren't mofos. Although I think your idea is funny, it's realistically misdirected and definitely egotistical :-) I wish I'd thought of it.
Schmutzie
Becky, I do care about comments. It's nice to know that people are paying attention and that I'm not just whistling in the wind. Plus, it's an excellent way to find new blogs to browse through. Also, the "cool kids" aren't even commenting on each others' blogs that much.
Schmutzie
Saskboy, did you just call me egotistical? Well, I never!
savia
I think your buttons are pretty.
palinode
A delurk request, with buttons yet, is a great idea, and here's why: Notwithstanding the Dooces of this world, most of us bloggers do it for free, or maybe for coffee money if you've got ads on your site. Conversation and comments are the real currency of blogland. Every blogger feels it, some mention it, but only Schmutzie goes out of her way to create buttons and build some entertainment into the request. If I were having this conversation at work, I'd be using terms like 'value added', but I'm at home, so I'll just say it's awesome.
Schmutzie
The above from my spouse makes me go aawwww.
diz
I am an offender. And offended against. Count me in.
Melissa
Okay, okay. I'm a lurker. My apologies. Love the button. My comments have dipped too. I mostly blame it on my recent bout of inane writing.
Kelly
I'm not an always lurker at your blog, just a mostly lurker, and I'm always early. To every party, just waiting in an anxious vapor of sweaty fear and uh...probably vodka. I've noticed a drop in comments too, and I'm going to blame it on google reader. It's so easy to breeze through posts that aren't set to show just a partial. Of course, that leaves me with NO excuse about your blog. Your blog which inspires me to examine my own thoughts and words just a little more closely.
Terese
It's a combination of bloggers going mainstream and reading like womens magazines plus the fact that lurkers are now reading more people's blogs and not wanting to write themsleves. Tone will provoke comment, asking for help on an issue will provoke comment, sounding less authoratative will provoke comment, empathy with the reader will provoke comment. The MOFO delurk will provoke comment.....
Jen
Boy, I would love to participate and post one of those little buttons on my blog, except for the heavy emphasis on the word mofo! I'm a relatively new blogger, but I'm guessing swearing at the lurkers isn't going to make them want to write more comments. Jen
Min-tea
No one ever comments on my blog but then, I think it's got to do with the writing. Anyway, I'm going to take one of those cute little buttons and see if it'll make the comments go up from 0 to maybe 1 or 2.
Caroline
*waves from lurk-land* Lurking is the people-watching of the blog world, and I am very good at people-watching.
itchy fingers
*blushes* *attempts to think of something to say that isn't 'gee i wish it were lunchtime now'* *retreats, defeated* this is the main reason i am a contented lurker. i blame years of television. however, your buttons have inspired me to attempt to become a better blogger.
Jamielynnlynn
Delurking, since I know I may not do so next week. Me love you long time. Keep doing that thing you do.
butterfly
Dear Schmutzie, I'm still pretty new to your blog -- so I hope that gets me a pass on lurking?? :-D It takes me a while before I comment -- don't want to just say something fluffy to hear myself (or see myself, as it were) speak... ;-) I came to you by way of Citizen of the Month and have been enjoying quietly, but no more! This wheel is gonna squeak from now on. I am a staunch supporter of de-lurking -- as evidenced by my own "Don't be just another blog-lurking bitch..." banner on my own blog. Of course, it's only mildly affected my lurkers -- they still lurk, but I do get a comment once in a blue moon. ;-) Love the buttons -- I will definitely sport one on 10/03/07! Also, I added a link to you on my "Friends and Links" list on my blog...and made you a twitter friend! Now do you feel loved or what?? ;-D vanessa aka the_butterfly
Schmutzie
So much delurking already! This makes me a happy individual. Just remember to come back on the 3rd!
firewings
Yeah, it has been strange; I'm an itty bitty site, but my comments have dropped as well. They had started to see through offers of cookies. [Then I go and miss checking my comments a few days and lo and behold, a get a comment from Schmutzie. Crazy!] So yes, I'm definitely doing this. But...if I really want angry ex's delurking...well, that'll be half the excitement I suppose.
Janet
whenever the number of comments gets me down, I resolve to leave comments on every post that provokes a comment in me as I can in a night. Even on new to me blogs. It always makes me feel good about myself because a) everyone loves a comment, yes? b)commenting used to freak me out majorly when I started this blogging caper and c)it just spreads the love. I don't expect to get comments back in a reciprocal sense because tit for tat is tacky I think but there's always an increase in comments... I'll try on october 3. It's good to move out of our usual blogworld circles once in a while.
Miscellaneous-Mum
It's funny, I was thinking that some of my commenters had 'died off' (and they have) but then sometimes a post gets more comments than I ever expected and I go, "Huh?!" It's an interesting subject: what makes a commenter turn into a lurker? I mean, I'm sooooo small league, and I do *try* to respond in kind to comments, but it's so hard. Sorry, am so rambling. I need to drag my sorry sick butt back to bed (but I can still alliterate if I try, so I'm obviously not that sick....)
SnafuSuz
Hmmm... interesting that the problem is widespread. Comments on my blog have dropped some too, but I thought that was just because my sister has been too busy to comment. ;) Maybe is has to do with the change in weather? Or because everyone is heads down at work and at school now that summer is over? Or maybe there has been some shift in the cosmos? Or could it be global warming? Whatever the reason, I will try to comment more. I am not a lurker - I do comment on blogs - but sometimes I think, "who the hell cares what I think?" And then I remember that I have my own blog, and that I LOVE comments, and that even if I say something dumb bloggers like comments. Unless they are mean of course. But anyway. So there you go - a rambling, 1:00 AM comment for you. Time for bed. *yawn*
Cecilieaux
Having been hit with a swarm of British trolls for the better part of two weeks, I yearn for the one- or two-comment posts. My work in journalism taught me over the years that, much as I love my byline, the only person who really followed my every word was my mother (she didn't, since I write about economics). You write for your muse, for yourself, because you feel there is something worth expressing. Lack of comments is not the same as lack of readers -- or of impact. I said nothing of your story of facing and beating cancer, but I was impressed as hell at your spunk, humor and grace. (Plus, I was once in Saskatchewan.) I'm not a great believer in cybercommunities. In any case, back-and-forth communicating is much, much easier over an e-mail list. I look upon the blog as my one chance to pretend I'm James Reston and have a column.
Birchsprite
Hello I'm sorry I too have been slow of comment recently... life has been getting too frantic I think. But hello and how are you?
marian
PRETTY BUTTONS!!! Nobody comments on my new blog, because unlike my old blog it's all totally inaccessible idea-weirdness (for most). So I've gotten used to it. But yes, I lurk more than I used to, for sure. (hi)
Kyran
love the decorator colours! I think the entire internet has been tied up over at Sweet Juniper's flickr and comments box over the Babble fiasco. Scrolling through it could actually kind of cure a person of wanting more commentary. Here's my two cents on the comments/community question: I see the personal blog genre splitting off into two main arteries as it matures. One--let's call it journal style-- is becoming more and more literate and crafted, resembling print publications. The other is becoming more and more "conversational," more resembling broadcast, and merging more closely with social networking media. Both are good. Both are getting better. The conversational type is by nature more open-ended. It prompts response, dialogue and community. The journal style blog may provoke as much or even more thought and feeling, but the presentation tends to be more complete, except where the subject matter is controversial or a question is raised. These are sweeping generalizations, and they don't stay neatly in their own lanes. Some sites, like this one, and like Sweet Juniper, swing both ways. Also, could readers be maturing as well? Settling down, getting comfortable, feeling less apt to jump in? I don't think I've ever gone above 20 comments in a single post of mine, but the ones I get are really thoughtful and articulate. I'll take quality over quantity any day.
OMYWORD!
Busted! I've been lurking on your blogs and loving them. I think I've been trying to achieve a balance in commenting. I don't want to just throw something meaningless in there just to be a link whore. If I have something to contribute then I'll comment. I might also be shy at first, if I haven't commented before. But now that you've given us permission. Bombs away!
Schmutzie
It's thought provoking reading all your thoughts on comments: the role they play, why you do or don't comment yourself, the evolution of personal weblogging, etc. I'm glad that Sweetney, Jenandtonic, and I could spark this discussion. If we all put our heads together, it sounds like we could put together a beefy section in a book on just comments in person weblogs! One question, though: are any of you finding exclamation marks sneaking in more than usual? I'm killing myself with my own punctuational excitement these days.
pagalina
hello mz pickles, I'm a semi-lurker. My policy on commenting is that I only really want to do it if I can bring something new to the conversation. I personally don't want to be the 50th person saying "LOL!" My other policy is that I don't want to turn my comment into all about me. There are some blogs that have a very fervent commenting audience, and reading them is kinda like a conversation with that friend that no matter WHAT the conversation is about, seems to turn it around to themselves. "That exact thing happened to me, only worse and funnier!" So, my commenting or lack thereof really can't been viewed as a reflection on your writing, it's more about my inability to bring something new to the table.
I will de-lurk today. I read your blog every day and have commented perhaps once? Months ago? So here I am, reading your blog daily and grateful for it. Can't promise you'll hear from me again anytime soon, but I will still be here reading.
Missy
Guilty. Definitely. And I love getting comments! So I'm all in.
Schmutzie
Pagalina, I am one of the worst offenders when it comes to making a comment all about me. I mean to reach out, but, uhm, yeah. Ego much?
I'm a serial commenter on a buttload of blogs, but I admit to having neglected you of late. Both you and The Palinode. Oh God, here comes the guilt. There's the tears. Great. Crying. Oh, Schmutzie. It was nothing personal! I'll do better!
Hot Librarian
YESYESYES!!! My blog comments have dropped from 3 to 1 and it is HEARTBREAKING. Of course I too have probably been commenting less... and probably out of bitterness that I'm not getting any comments. I'm taking a button, baby!
The Hotfessional
Yes, yes, yes. What everybody else said. I've been so sad....I feel like no one loves me anymore. Especially since it happened about the time I put up a contest! A drawing! For Stuff! Nice Stuff! I'm so posting this button. thanks!
wench
ah ha! not me this time - i am sure i always have to much to say! however, i couldn't get the great mofo button to work on my blog??? orange - would you check if you have a mo' fo. it's fraturday!
loren
hey schmutzie - thanks for this holiday! I plan to incorporate it on my site and spread the word. I've been feeling the pinch, too maybe you should comment about comments more often. I think I'm comment #45
Schmutzie
I know, Loren! Just posting about comments has been a rousing success. My comments have gone from 1-5 to over 40 in one day.
witchypoo
Your post has inspired me to delurk and leave some love on all of the blogs I visit. I'm still too chicken to start my own blog, though.
Angella
I came here via Whoorl's button and am SO adding this button to my site!
kate
Thanks for the banana split. I'll enjoy it on this warm, windy afternoon. I'm getting fewer blog comments, but I attributed it to showing pictures of me which no doubt scared off most lurkers. The faithful garden bloggers keep me from thinking I'm writing a diary, but oh well ... maybe I should post more pictures of my dog or put in a post title about sex. That'll always pop up the comments!!
tut-tut
Thanks to that button on blackbird's blog, I entered yours! Here's my post.
JM
I am a total lurker and will now out myself. I suppose I'll have to do a lot of that since everyone is joining the de-lurking week bandwagon! http://notgracefulenough.wordpress.com/
i am the diva
thank you for the buttons.... and for the banana split.
Schmutzie
It seems like some of you have found my secret banana split stash. It saves us from all that messy making out.
Carolyn J.
RSS feeds seem to discourage comments, don't they? It seems that way to me, anyway.
Schmutzie
It's true, Carolyn J. Full RSS feeds do seem to discourage comments, because the reader doesn't have to click over the actual website. That's why I am experimenting with a short RSS feed. I'll see how it goes.
pagalina
blargh! on the shortened RSS feed BLARGH!!! If a post inspires me to comment, i will click through to the site, but it's totally annoying to have to click through to read the post. what's the point of a rss feed, then? i might as well just use my regular bookmarks. wow, you got me to comment twice on one post. hunh.
AliBlahBlah
Personally I would kill for 20 hits a day, but let's not make this about me! Very valid point. I lurked for years and was only outed when Fussy urged everyone to comment at least once a day during her nablowrimo thingy.
Kathy
I want to participate. I'm a lurker. Like someone else said, I read a lot of blogs, and I'd love to comment on all of them, but most of the time I just don't think I have anything to add. Or worse: I think I do have something to add, but the minute it's out of my head an in the little white box I realize I've said nothing. Funny thing is, someone recently told me this is the reason she so rarely leaves comments on my site. (Another thing: I have this nasty habit of making my worst typos on other people's blogs.)
Miguelina.
Am I still lurking if I show up on your MyBlogLog Thingamajing? I'm putting one of those cute buttons on my site.
such a good day to lurk, and now delurk. my first time. and i'm stealing your buttons!
Kyran
I definitely fall into the self-referential category of commentator. As a blogger, it's gratifying to me when a reader feels moved to share what something I've written about evokes in them.
Sarah
I found your button on Whoorl's site, and I have to say THANK YOU. I've noticed a significant drop in my (meager) comments in the past few weeks, and I'm glad I'm not the only one. What IS the blogosphere coming to?
margalit
Sheryl at Paper Napkin used to do a delurk day every year, and it definetely worked...for some people. The popular bloggers got thousands of comments. The rest of us... not so much. Maybe a couple more than usual, but for the most part it sort of turned into yet another way to drool over the popular blogs and screw everyone else. I do comment on blogs, even though I use Bloglines to read and it takes more steps. But I think the whole rise in RSS readers has done a lot to influence the comments negatively, which is a shame. It just makes it a bit harder and people don't want to waste the time, evidentally. I put your nice button up and I hope to be a good commenter on the 3rd. And all the other days as well.
Earthmamagoddess
seriously so interesting...it was definately true for my comments, all 3 of them.... I noticed I haven't been commenting though either...I just feel so brain dead, nothing I think of seems to be relevant or witty or funny or cute or anything. LOVE this combined brilliance, love buttons (i am such a button whore) and please count me in....
Kathy
I've got the button on my site now. Thanks again for a really cool idea. I'm going to do a better job of answering the handful of comments I do get.
lala
maybe it's the depression, maybe it's just me but I'm so tired of commenting. I just can't be moved to say anything but, oooh, cute pretty buttons......
Galena Alyson Canada
Ack! White button borders! Arrrghhh! (Oh well, it's still a nice li'l button, I'll leave it where it is...) FWIW, my commentary tends to run in proportion to response (from the author or other readers). I have commenter here less as you have responded less. (Not a value-statement, just an observation, dear Schmutzie). > I'm not just whistling in the wind. Ah, a nicely mixed metaphor. Before we know it, you'll be pissing in the dark! :D 'Lena
Schmutzie
I realized that I had left white borders on the button, but I didn't know how to get rid of them without killing the drop shadow. Sorry about that.
Shama-Lama Mama
What an awesome idea! I am adding the button to my site, too!
MontanaJen
A paste of what I wrote at jenandtonic's... "...But for me, writing without feedback is ok, because I don't write to document, but rather to process my life. I forces me to sit still and think about why I took a particular direction, or made a choice. I'm moving and deciding quickly all day professionally, so in the absence of talk therapy, putting words on a page (screen) forces me to own my decisions and experiences. I don't even make much of it public..." But for those that are public, yes, it is nice to get feedback. I'm guilty of reading without commenting, I think often because like another commenter here I don't want to make the thing about myself - and I don't know if writing something like 'you did a good job describing that and I laughed' is helping. Now that I think about it, though, positive feedback, regardless of how much substance is transferred, is always nice. Thanks for the reminder!
cheesefairy
I am guilty of lurking in real life and in blogland. I am guilty of hardly ever responding to comments in my own blog. I am also guilty of making comments all about me. But I don't really know anybody else, so saying something about YOU seems presumptuous. See? I liked about Nablopomo that people were dropping in randomly and almost everybody was commenting without thinking so much about it - like how you just buy the $7 hot dog at the summer fair when you would never let yourself spend $7 on a hot dog in the real world. Also I like your buttons. Rawr.
willowtree
Technically I'm not a lurker as I've only been here twice (the first time about an hour ago when I clicked the button from somewhere, and ended up here), but I have noticed a drop off in comments not only only my blog but on just about all the blogs I read.
willowtree
Oh, just one more thing. Blogger does little to help in this respect, at times I've had to enter Word Vertification 3 or 4 times when I know I've done it right every time. I'm at the stage now where if blogger bounces my comment I just move on. PS. I have disabled WV on my blog and get very few spam comments. In fact much fewer than the number of genuine commenters who used to complain about WV.
LVGurl
Just before I snag a delurking badge... HI!! ;)
Saskboy
The delurk is already a success if you got more than 70 comments out of it :-)
Kelly
Alright! I'm in! Hopefully people will actually delurk! We shall seeeee!!
JustMe
I'm not a lurker, but do love the delurk idea! Oh, and love the banana split too!
Kristin
This is great. I'm read a hundred and some blogs every day and rarely comment. Thanks for the virtual bitch slap. :-)
Jennifer
"Virtual bitch slap" - I love it! You really should consider a button with that tagline on it. I am guilty as sin on this front, myself. Then again, I'm barely posting on my own blog, so I hope my blogees *ones I read, natch* will put two and two together and come out with understanding as the result. This mofo de-lurking deal might just be the kick in the pants I need.
Kami
Great idea! I have added the logo to my site, thanks for sharing :-)
Hi, I'm a lurker. I read - and love - many blogs, but almost never comment. This is because I made a few comments and sent one personal email to bloggers I read and received no response. And I'm not talking creepy-stalker-type email or comments. Blogging can be very personal, often discussing topics close to our hearts. When no reply is given to a comment about those topics, it is very alienating. Now, you're not guilty of this, at least with me. And I know that well-known bloggers must receive TONS of email, but still. I think its contradictory to give silent readers such a negative name as "lurkers" when they are often ignored or made to feel embarrassed. Don't you agree? I think jenandtonic's really got it right: when comments are responded to, readers will comment more. You "celebrity bloggers" are sometimes intimidating to us and no response to our comments can make us feel unwelcome. Just my two cents. -Cait
Schmutzie
Cait, one thing I have noticed over and over again in this comments thread is the importance of acknowledging commenters. So often it is easier to simply read the comments and leave it at that. As you can see in this thread and my new posts, I am trying to remedy that here. Thank you all for your thoughts on this. I had no idea that commenting could be such a hot button subject.
SweatsintheCity
Am a guilty lurker/disappointed, low-comment-receiving blogger. Love the idea, grabbed the logo. :) Also: although I have not commented, I really enjoy your blog. I found the x365 idea through your site, and I'm enjoying it... so thanks!
alice c
I am a compulsive commenter - can't help myself - so my plan is this...go into hibernation until the 3rd and then go mad. All that denial will mean that I am reaching into corners of the internet that have never seen a commenter before. You may live to regret your campaign!!! Also, I aim to maximise exclamation marks!!!
Jerseygirl89
I thought it was just me also! I am new here, but I am so stealing your button! And I'm proud to say that I hardly ever lurk.
Tim
Maximize Exclamation marks? Now I'm really glad I came Here!! Can't say I wouldn't have commented here if I would have ever been here before, which I haven't been... Count me in on the 3rd. I borrowed a pretty blue badge to commemorate the day.
Schmutzie - Thanks for your response! I do definitely see that you respond to comments. I hope I didn't come across as accusatory - that's not how I meant it, but I thought I'd post here because this is where the discussion is happening. I agree that comments can be a great place for building community. Good luck with the de-lurking! -Cait
spin.lizzy
i've noticed a drop in the amount of e-mail i'm receiving daily ... and i don't just mean from blogreaders, i mean junk mail, chain letters and just-saying-hi notes from friends. are we in the midst of some internet revolution?
siu
just dropped by to lurk... but here i am leaving a comment. your grat mofo delurk must be working. :-)
tiggymooshoo
ever get comments but when I do it makes my day! I am a bit of a lurker on some sites but some others I comment alot and get no response, so I am in for this delurking business!
Kelley
Just put the button on my sidebar. I get hundreds of visitors a day and the same 3 commenting.... argh! I, on the other hand, am a fabulous blog surfer and always comment on new blogs I come across (I know, no one could possibly hold up to my magnificent standards, bow to me) so hopefully this will bring some out of lurkdom, or at least bring you a shiteload of lurkers! By the way, I am commenting on my first visit, I found you through another blog that I was commenting on. In the immortal words of Strongbad from Homestar runner 'Every time I look at myself I can't believe how awesome I am!'
lisa's chaos
I have noticed that people aren't commenting and am looking forward to delurk day. Thanx for the button for the day. :)
Carrie
Very cool. This is the first time I have lurked / visited your blog, but I really love the idea to get all of the lurkers to delurk (myself included.) Thanks
Sleeping Mommy
First time here, and swear I'm not lurking. I am going to post this though--I've had a drop in my comments too. I figured it was because I didn't have as much time to comment either. Wednesday I'll be sure to make time for it.
Schmutzie
I am loving everyone's enthusiasm about this delurking day on Wednesday. If things go the way they seem they will, the internet is going to be freaking LOUD on the 3rd.
Lulu
I like this idea! Even though I think that I've only lurked on your site once. Maybe twice. I found your link in my blog stats! Does that mean you've lurked at my site? I know...probably just a freak accident. Anyhow, I likey! I will use-y de icon. You are awesome, and I must start lurking around your site more often.
Schmutzie
Lulu, I think someone probably came to your site via the links below my BlogHer ads, but I did just go over and visit you. And I lurked there! (I know. I'm so funny).
Sandy
Well I'm an offender ever since I started in with Google blogger...ugh. I just peek in the windows, and since there's no way to comment from there, it takes an extra click===and I've been too lazy! I'm signing up to delurk.
Sheila
I am guilty of doing this myself. I am resolved to change my ways!
Biglug
I somehow ended up on your website through a post on Whoorl (where I sometimes lurk) about delurking. I think the delurk is a great idea and I will participate. Power to the people.
SweetPea
I also came here from Whoorl's button. Basically I lurk for many of the reasons already stated. (Nothing new to add, shy in real life, etc.) Plus, I have foot-in-mouth syndrome.
Sweet! Thanks..I'll try to get the button on my page.
RubyShooZ
I comment at every blog I visit but look, you got as of this post over 100 comments - come comment on mine as well. We all want comments and traffic. Peace, love and understanding.
ChrisB
I do lurk on some blogs but over a period of time I do leave comments~ sometimes it's all been said before. I know I have lurkers on my blog so I will be put up your button tomorrow Thank you
Hi, I've come via the land of Whoorl. Delurking (and reading) for the first time. I wanted to tell you that the reason I've stopped commenting on people's blogs is because the writers don't bother answering questions. I especially hate this on advice blogs where the writer won't even bother emailing you privately to say 1. your question sucks and isn't worthy of my time or 2. I'll write about this someday. Chris (NFTT), are you listening? I've also been scared to reply when I disagree with a post. There is a grade school gang-up-on-anyone-who-disagrees-with-the-popular-girl thing going on, more and more. It's a shame because there could be some good and respectful dialogue going on.
Ernie
Funny, I thought it was just me having this problem. Well, I shall certainly delurk as often as I can and hopefully everyone else out there in internet-land will do the same.
Schmutzie
Pamela, I know how you feel. It's scary to disagree with the author when you think that everyone is going to leep all over you for it. Luckily, this hasn't seemed to happen here, and I hope that sort of ganging up behaviour doesn't start. I wouldn't tolerate it.
Magpie
Okay! Tomorrow! Okay! I will comment everywhere!
Mimi aka pz5wjj
What a great idea! I found you through Sheila at My Memories -- I'm game and going to post now! Thanks!
Janet
lol I swear I thought it was just me!!! In a way, it's good to know it's everyone...sigh. I found you through Zoot, and used your pretty black button :-)
Melody
Im down! I just stumbled across these blogs today.. so I'm not a mofo lurker..just FYI :)
Colleen
I clicked over from Zoot. Count me in!
Bond
this is funny... I saw this over as Sadies and came to see what was up. On The Couch today, i just made the same comment about the comments being low....but but but 115!!!!! OMG I would have a coronary if I ever got 115 comments in a day!
Candace
I actually thought about not leaving a comment because I was intimidated by the number... 115! my blog would break. and do I have a voice amongst the crowd? I LOVE this idea. I often feel like it was a one night stand gone awry when someone enjoys me and then doesn't leave a note.....
Schmutzie
I definitely have NEVER had comments this high. I usually get between one and five, so this is kind of exciting. Who knew an idea and a button would go this far?
Aurelia
Delurking to say, "Hi"! And I'm borrowing a button. I have a few people I'd like to get to delurk. Thanks for this great idea.
motherbumper
SWEET - I've been waiting for one of these days. And nice button (I mean that in the least sexual way possible).
Just Dawn
HOPING the wonderful button brings them out! Thanks
Major Bedhead
Well, I must be in the dork corner because I'd never heard of your blog before. Either that or I'm really not paying attention - either scenario is highly probable. Anyway. I've put up a button. Let's hope it works wonders. Now I'd better go read and see what I've missed....Are there Cliff Notes?
alyndabear
I'm from Sydney, where it is already the 3rd of October - so consider me delurking! Great idea, great buttons, great day. Happy blogging. :)
nonlineargirl
It is very encouraging to hear that comments are down all over. I keep waiting for the autumn bump in comments that I saw last year, and nope, nothing doing.
Fenz
i'm de lurking and putting the button in my LJ blog. Wonderful idea xo
Schmutzie
I want all of you to know that you are the coolest. So there.
I just had to follow the button link off girl's blog to see what it was all about. Very clever!!! I don't have a blog yet. One day... BTW I love the ice cream at the bottom of the page!!!
Bets
De-lurking an hour early (though you already followed the button trail over to my place.) I've been reading for a few months - I think I found you through Finslippy, home of a great blogroll. People are delurking at a fair clip (as my father, the 3,000 Year Old Man used to say) on my blog. Good idea. Nice buttons. (That didn't sound quite that dirty prior to typing it.)
Desert Songbird
My personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that some of us are extremely busy now that our kids are back in school (mine for several weeks now), and it's all I can do to scribble a quick comment on my regular blogs, let alone the ones I visit occasionally. JMVHO.
Randi
De-lurking a day early;) (Though this is my second comment on your blog) I can't wait to write a post on this tomorrow on my blog, so I can get some de-lurkers. Love the idea!
Candace
ohhhh! you got some last lurks in tonight before midnight! I saw some schmutzie at my house.....
Mrs. Flinger
oh, I saw these tweets flying around. And holy shit! I came back JUST in the nick of time. And hi there. I luff you. I tweet you and wanna be you when I grow up. But you know that. Don't you? You should.
Jen
So... hi. Just like everyone else, I'm delurking. Apparently, You have a powerful way with buttons. Thanks for sharing!
azahar
Delurking *waves hello*
Mrs. Chili
I've noticed a HUGE drop in my comments, too - and I was worrying that it was just me. Thanks for telling me it's not - knowing I'm not the only one is a little balm to the ego. Thanks, too, for the button!
Mom Chatter
Just found this today, look forward to hearing your results! What a fun idea! Happy Delurk Day! :)
Moogie
I'm guilty of being a lurker. :) But hey! I'm going to CHANGE! Got the button up! Thanks for the fabulous idea! THis should be fun!
Kizz
Thanks for doing this and thanks for making the button thing so darned easy! I don't know a thing about html so when people are all "feel free to steal this button" I never can because I don't know what to do. But you told me. So thanks! I'm having a fun de-lurking day already and I've already racked up a few comments.
Tim
Just dropping by to see how Oct 3rd is starting out for you. Looks like quite a turnout so far. I'd say you have been successful in shaking things up a little in your corner of the blogiverse. Hopefully you will continue to use your powers for the good of mankind!
alejna
Thanks for the wonderful idea. I have snagged one of your lovely buttons. I only just found your blog yesterday, by the way, via Magpie Musing, so I'm not sure I qualify as a lurker here. But I am certainly guilty of lurking elsewhere. Today, at least, I will make a grand effort to drop a few comments. Happy delurking!
pinks & Blues Girls
I am celebrating delurking day on my blog, too! Thanks for the idea/button. Found it through Major Bedhead. Looks like you're getting a lot of comments today, at least!! Jane, Pinks & Blues
SUEB0B
Mofos don't comment on my blog, either. I just yell at them through my computer screen.
Kari
Officially delurking to tell you how much I love the idea - it's up on my site now.
The Mouse
Delurking here. Great idea that is up on my blog, too. :)
Saskboy
Happy DeLurk Day fellow MOFOS :-)
carolyn
Even though my blog is password protected, I used the icon to encourage the mofos. And will be delurking everywhere I go today. Yippee.
Audrey
I'm not a lurker, because this is the first time I've been here, but I did want to thank you for doing this. I put a button in today's post, and hopefully it'll bring in buckets of comments. Great idea!
Phyllis
I'm not a lurker..this is my first time to your blog. Not too many comments over at mine either though...frustrating mofos. I can't promise this delurking will be permanent, but ill try my hardest.. although technically since this is my first time to your blog i'm not lurking. but there are many others that i do lurk on. :)
Miguelina.
Here I am! Thanks for the perty buttons!
amusings_bnl
http://www.amusings.net/clg/october2007/100307.htm I am delurking, thanking you for the pretty orange button, and commenting all over the web today. and i think bloglines is broken today... wonder if there is a connection. anyway -- nice to meet you...
PaintingChef
This is an AWESOME idea. I've totally noticed the decrease and figured it was just because I wasn't having a good hair month and the internet could totally tell.
liv
right on. I've not been lurking, I'm a virgin visitor to your blog. Love your idea and will slap the button up post haste!
Butrfly Garden
I'm not a lurker...just have friends who are readers and let me in on delurking day. Thanks for the perty buttons!!
Sweetie
Cool! I posted the delurking button. Can't wait to see if those lurkers "show their faces"! Hi, by the way! It's Sweetie from SweetieTime.
Momish
Super cool. Thanks for the button, I am going to put it up now. I haven't really noticed a slip in comments on my blog (I am one of the blogs you mentioned that only gets 5 or 6 a day). But, I do have to admit that I have not been commenting as much as I have in the past. I think it is a combination of being too busy and having my blogroll grow so fast. I use to visit a handful of people every day and comment. Now, with more blogs to read and friends in the blog world, I have to parse my time out on each. As blogging gets more and more popular, it is harder to keep up!
Kim
Nobody commented on my blog before. Think this will help? Like an especially uninformed idiot, I extolled the virtues of the RSS reader on my blog yesterday. So many of my very few readers type the same string into Google day after day. I thought I was doing a public service. Smack me upside the head....
Nicole
Ok. This is my delurk. I will comment as much as possible today (although I have a bazillion things that need doing - one of which includes a nap this afternoon). I like the awed into silence bit. Oh and I posted a button, but its not showing up as a link for some reason. Again, half asleep.
heels
Yay! Good idea. And thanks for the buttons!
Michele
I am a bad lurker who wishes people wouldn't lurk on her blog. I figure there are people out there reading (there are, right?! lol) but don't always have a free hand or two to write out a comment. Totally meant that in a non-pervy way!! I am usually trying to entertain a toddler while speed reading blogs. I'll open up the posts I want to leave comments on in other tabs, but by the time I get to commenting it's been a couple of days and it just seems weird to leave a comment on an old post. Bad bad blogger. Thank you for the cool buttons! Here's hoping it works. ;)
Esme
Delurking! And loving all the new comments to read!
Two Shews
Not technically a lurker. But I am still here!
Fleur de Lisa
Great idea! I’ve used one of your lovely buttons (and credited you) on my latest blog post today. I hope this will prompt those pesky lurkers to de-lurk. BTW, I’m not a lurker here, my first time. It’s a well done and witty site.
Mysh
Technically, I'm not a lurker on your blog because this is my first visit! And I'll be back! :O)
Courtney
Thanks for creating the De-Lurking event of the year! I found you through someone else, but promise to Delurk and visit your page often.
Kerry
This is my 1st visit but wanted to say hi!
Amy
I am de-lurking! Well, I'm really trying. I started a blog in August and had NO CLUE how time consuming it would become. I don't get many comments so the de-lurking button may boost me to say, like, 5. Which would be great - I'm not complaining! Thanks!
jennifer starfall
crap, that's today, isn't it. well, hello there. linkateria sent me.
Pete Dunn
I'm in. Badge is up. Delurk you mofos!
lamech
Hi Schmutzie, I've been watching the calendar closely, and worried I'd forget to de-lurk, but miraculously it's stayed in my brain. I've continued to read you all along, ever since I first stumbled upon your blog and got myself into your specs collection. I should've said something supportive when you went through the whole hysterectomy/cancer/thing, but didn't, because I suck at life. But! What's past is past. Glad to see you continue to do the awesome things you do on the interblagh; thanks for continuing to be such an entertaining part of my daily read! Warm regards, lamech
I don't read your blog. But I read a blog that linked to a blog that linked to your blog and specifically the post about delurking. So while I am not a lurker, I'll delurk now anyway, in anticipation of lurking at your page in the future.
JMom
I had a delurker comment on my blog and that's how I ended up here! I'm glad I did....even though I just found out about about delurking today, I will join up. I'm a first class lurker too :( guilty as charged. I'll try better, promise!
Deb R
I missed seeing or hearing about this until today, so I'm going to extend it a day and have my blog delurking day tomorrow! (We really need a blog delurking WEEK! :-) ) So here's my official delurk - Hi! Nice blog and great idea!
Chark
My first visit to your site, because of the delurking event! GREAT IDEA!
Chris
I like the De-lurking idea. I have a Diabetes blog and although I have not been blogging for very long (2.5 months) and the info is somewhat informational and somewhat personal, I'd love to have more comments. Thanks for getting this started on my birthday.
the boogeyman's wife
i am a notorious lurker (not on your blog yet though!) and appreciate the call to delurk. and the use of the word mofo. i promise to henceforth comment more!
Maya
Hi Schmutzie! I come here from time to time, but don't consider myself a lurker here the way I can cop to being other places. I DO try and comment most everywhere I visit, but I've noticed a few things. Please don't take personal offence here: 1. I really like reading 'mommy' blogs...but I notice that Mommy bloggers tend NOT to comment on non-mommy blogs. Sorry, it's true. They are busy people AND moms, so of course they don't have time, I totally get that. I will go ahead and cop to actually stopping/refraining from commenting some places due to this trend. HOWEVER: The second you join the 'club', your comments skyrocket. Seriously. One of the times I got the most comments? I pranked my readers for April Fools' saying we were having a baby. People came out of lurkdom like you wouldn't believe. 2. You can only say how cuuuuute the so-cute kid doing the so-cute thing is so many times before it becomes syncophantic. 3. Blogger eats comments. 4. Sometimes I just haven't anything clever to say. Am over at www.choclate2.wordpress.com if anyone would like to de-bunk my mommy bloggers don't comment on non moms' sites theory.
Schmutzie
Maya, I totally get it that people are busy and whatnot. I didn't mean to suggest that people should comment on every single blog post they lay eyes on. It's just nice to come out once in a while. And you're right. You can only say how cute someone's kid is so many times.
hello. my name is mouse, and i am a lurker! ;) wow. i feel better now. i'm at work. i needed to kill some time, and i stumbled upon your page via crazedparent.org. thanks for giving me something to read. you're pretty funny. have a great day!!
dorothy
I have never been a huge commenter, and I've never had more than 20 comments on my blog, though I have more readers than that. I tend to write in more of an essay style, so I think most people just go "hmmm" and walk away. This doesn't really bother me - I embrace the lurkers.
Schmutzie
I don't really mind the lurkers, either, to tell you the truth. I'd just like to see who's out there once in a while. It would get tiring for everyone involved if we had to do this much writing all the time.
Damn - I'm so glad I checked out your site today. (We’ve had company in town since Friday and I haven’t really been online.) I would have hated to let you down by staying silent. Yes, I'm delurking. (And this is only the second time I've ever commented on a blog.) I don't have a blog, and I've only been paying attention to the blogosphere for about two years, so you can take my comments for however little they may be worth. I have to admit that blogging is rather curious to me. I’m a fairly private person, so I don’t completely understand wanting to share so much with so many (which also contributes to my not commenting). But, I do like watching others do it, in a kind of “hmm. . . people are really interesting” way. To be perfectly honest, I read blogs as fiction. Not in the sense that I don't believe them to be true, but that I follow your life stories like I would my favorite characters in a novel. And, like when reading fiction, I enjoy and need good writing. Really good writing. That’s why yours is one of only four that I’ve kept bookmarked for longer than a few days and that I check in with regularly. (I can’t remember how I ran across your blog, but it was one of the first ones and definitely the one that has stayed the longest.) As for why people are seeing a drop in comments, is it possible that there are just too many of you out there? Are people focusing on their own blogs instead of commenting on others? Is the novelty wearing off? Are people getting tired of the navel-gazing? I don’t mean any of this facetiously, but I know that I feel like there is too much of an emphasis on online communities and not enough on getting to know your physical neighbors. I prefer the latter. I also wonder if people are getting turned off by what appears to be a competitive and potentially exclusive community. If I’m noticing a high-school lunchroom preening and jockeying for position in the small smattering of blogs I may look at during the week, then I imagine it’s fairly widespread. (I usually notice this kind of attitude in comments actually, and never here, which is why you’re bookmarked and many, many others are not.) I haven’t looked through the other comments, but if any of this has already been touched upon, sorry for the repetition. (Although repetition certainly might help you determine some truths.) So much more that I could say, but I’ve got two young boys who need to get out of the bathtub. I will reconsider my stance on commenting, though, as I think more on what blogs mean to those who write them and what reading them means to me. (By the way, if another version of this comment has shown up, my apologies. I told you I was a novice!)
Gauntlet
Came here by route of Temerity Jane. And I lurk almost everywhere I go. Usually I don't have much if anything to add, and I'm at work while I read these.
Wenderina
Okay, I'm number 187. Did you have any idea you had this many Lurkers? Actually - got to your blog for first time today - talk about timing. And I stole your 'de-lurk' alert for mine. Hope you'll visit and we increase MY comment list to like...3...?
Wenderina
P.S. Thanks for the banana split;-)
Maureen
Wow, you're nearly at 200 comments! I would be amazed to get over 20... This is my first time reading your blog, and I will definitely be back. I try to comment on nearly every post I read, cause I know how good it feels to realise someone out there is actually reading what you wrote. It's pretty rare if I don't post a comment; sometimes it's as simple as having to register or something that turns me off commenting.
piper of love
I'm participating, but just stumbled across the brilliance today! I wish the button didn't expire!!
Gopher
I think I'll skip reading all the comments and say yes there are blogs I read that I don't comment on, I only read a select few blogs and I don't comment on things I feel I have nothing to say on / or that would make me look stupid - better to stay silent and look stupid than to open your mouth and prove it :D
Giania
Fantastic! Thanks for the inititive, y'all! I recently lamented over the lack of comments myself, I figured it was just me. Now I can rest assured that this is an epidemic, but one with a cure.
cindy w
Delurk! Hi! (And thanks for the graphic.)
Hilly
Thank you so much for doing this! I am participating and love it :)
Michael
I've never actually lurked here, therefore I cannot delurk. I did however, follow a link on a button here... ;-)
ms-teacher
I came here via Mrs. Chili and am taking the moment to delurk. Thanks for the wonderful buttons to use and for the incentive to get people to delurk.
palinode
More comments means closer to the magical 200 mark. I say it's magic! Long day.
Mom101
198 here to say, nice buttons!
Scoobers
Hello, I found your button on Fleur de Lisa's blog. This is my first visit here, so HI! I'm all about delurking. I'll be accessorizing with the Green Button. Thanks! Kathy
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While twittering a couple of days ago, Sweetney, Jenandtonic, and I lamented the recent drop in comments we have each had on our respective websites, and it seems that we are not the only ones who have noticed this. I have been up and down this internet over the last few weeks and found that there seems to be a drop in comments everywhere.
