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I used to be a lurker.
You know who they are: those surfers of the web who revel in dark, unknown corners. Who consume but don’t reciprocate. Whose existence is known to none but themselves, whose presence we are never aware of as anything more than a number on our blog stats that might pique our curiosity. They lurk and disappear back into cyberspace, and no one ever has to know; no trace o
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Comments
12.15.08
Interesting post, but it leaves out a critical piece: some of our employers do not allow us to blog, forbid us from commenting on anything work related, and don't even allow us to post endorsements on sites like LinkedIn. The Gen Y desire for openness and a voice is in direct contrast to Corporate needs to control their data and their brand.
Creep, or loyal employee?
12.15.08
Nisha, Great post.
There's a comment that I make on occassion in business meetings with disengaged management: "There are those who race cars and those who spectate. I am a racer, are you?"...
Glad to see your behind the wheel taking on the challenges of the race!!!
12.15.08
Congrats, Nisha! Great post. Can't wait to meet you at SXSW!
12.15.08
Nisha -
Great post, I love your spirit and confidence! Congrats!
12.15.08
As usual, your wonderful writing shines through. You have such keen and intriguing insight - Congratulations, Nisha!
12.15.08
I like lurking B!
Great post- keep it up.
12.15.08
Congratulations! Your post was amazing and I can't wait to meet you at SXSW!
12.15.08
Thanks so much for the kind word guys! Writing this post was one of the hardest things I've ever written, but it felt great to hit publish and get it out there :) Can't wait to meet those of you going to SXSW!
12.15.08
I couldn't agree more with you. Blogging has changed me a lot. I love being able to voice my opinion and publish it. You are a wonderful writer.
12.15.08
Hey Nisha! Great post - how right you are! It's amazing to note that like most things in life, as soon as one starts to do something regularly they naturally become more drawn to it and can't wait to do it again. It starts to take a life of its own and definitely does spill into many other facets of one's life usually for the better. It's happened to me and above all - it's fun! Cheers Darren.
12.15.08
Hi Nisha, after five years of 'lurking' while my mind was effectively dulled from intense university study, I have finally started my very own blog. Like you, I love the sense of control - and how fantastic to have a public identity that is your own, and doesn't belong to your job or your company.
It's still slightly weird reading such an accomplished blog, realising that you were once a newbie and lurker too - it's inspiring.
12.15.08
Thanks so much guys!
@Rebecca -- I would love to talk to you more about your blog! I tried checking it out but the link doesn't work. Is there another way I can contact you?
12.16.08
Hi Nisha,
Thanks for the reply - not sure why the link didn't work. The blog is at www.thesanityproject.com.
I am a total beginner, but I am finding blogging rewarding already.
Thanks for supporting a newbie!
12.18.08
I loved this piece! It's all so true.
12.18.08
Nice post Nisha, I love reading how others feel about blogging.
When I was an undergrad I was the only person I knew who blogged at college. I had a roommate who used to scroll a traffic site for me under my name because I had no patience for doing so, and though she became fascinated with blogs and to this day reads a variety of blogs all the time she has yet to start one, and comments rarely.
It does take courage on some level to blog, but the experience is worth it.
12.18.08
Excellent stuff.
So, here's my question: Suppose you don't have a "blog" but write in a journal with pencil and paper. You write the same stuff you write here, but no one reads it.
If someone asked if they could read your journal, would you let them?
12.18.08
@Rebecca - thanks, I'll check it out!
@Melissa - thanks!
@Olivia - I was definitely like that before; I read lots and lots of blogs but never bothered with commenting or writing one of my own -- I'm so glad I finally did, though!
@Ari -- I don't think so. But that's because I think a diary and a blog serve two very different purposes, and thus your writing is different. I don't think the situation would happen where I would write the same thing in a journal and a blog. The very fact that we choose to write a blog, instead of choosing to write the same things in a journal, means that we want people to read it, so the content will be different accordingly. If I chose to write a diary, I'd choose to do so because a diary is intended to be private...
12.29.08
Hello Nisha,
Good to see people of similar kind. Lurking around do have sometimes few issues like blocked firewall and time constraint. But I too believe that if a post does not get a comment even after someone read it, then the post was not worth it. Rather I should say the author couldn't reach the reader. Sometimes its like a movie being released. U create a movie and leave it to the audiences after the release. However hardwork a director puts in and is even emotionally attached to the whole movie, its upto the viewers to give a feedback. But out here at blogging not getting a feedback gives a sign of dissatisfaction from the readers.
In many cases people do visit my blog and they move ahead but rarely put in a word to give a feedback. But there are people who arent even impressed by my posts, take the effort in letting me know about the flaws. Sometimes its better to be criticised dan left for self introspection.
Great work and all cheers for this piece from your pen.
Thanks
Abhi
12.29.08
Is lurking that bad ??
I asked myself this question many times, before I settled down to put in a comment. It isn't like I disagree. But, having an opinion on everything isn't that appreciated either. Though Acknowledging is important and vital for an artist (of any kind).
I love the idea of being a silent observer. I enjoy it. I don't comment because I let people have their own spaces. And I see a intrusion, whenever I speak without invitation. How do I fight this??
But anyways,I was lucky to have read this on 30th.
This new year should incorporate some change plannings.Have a great year ahead.
03.26.09
Great post Nisha! And so true; it takes courage to put yourself out there, but it is the best way to just be yourself!
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