Schmutzie, Jenandtonic, and Sweetney had this idea to make today “The Great Mofo Delurk.” You’ve probably seen stuff like this before. The idea is to coax bloggers from out of the virtual woodwork and have them say hello by delurking and commenting.
This is a great idea. I love hearing from readers, but I feel a little guilty asking readers to delurk for me. I’m already blessed with the best commenters in the blogosphere. I can hardly keep up with the blogging friends I already have. I don’t even comment enough on THEIR blogs! I’ve even lost touch with some bloggers because I haven’t been keeping up with them, which makes me a little sad. Do I really need more virtual friends in my life? What am I — blog selfish?
That said, I think it is important to keep adding new people to the mix. The blogosphere is cliquish enough, without me adding to it. We are supposed to be a community, and you are part of the community. Yes, YOU, whether you like it or not. Now, I know the feeling many of you have, especially when you are a new blogger: everyone is in-groupy except for YOU. Here’s my advice. Take a deep breathe and repeat after me, “Blogging is Bullshit.” Feel insecure in real life, but never in virtual life. Even the writers at Techcrunch or Engadget write in their underwear. I don’t care if you have 10,000 readers, or 10 — you will be treated the same crappy way here at “Citizen of the Month.” Don’t be intimidated by me. Don’t be afraid that your comment isn’t “clever” enough. Very few people write clever comments, and the ones that seem good have usually been rewritten by me.
If you choose to delurk, don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself. It is the best way to interact with others. And if we don’t become best buddies, maybe you’ll hit if off with someone else who visits this blog. I met 99% of my blogging friends from reading the comments of other bloggers, and following the link. You’re in luck here at “Citizen of the Month” – the commenters here are particularly smart and sexy, even if they are somewhat eccentric.
And in honor of “The Great Mofo Delurk,” anyone who comments today on this special day and says hello, whether you are an old or new reader, will get back three times the LOVE! That’s right, if you comment today, I will promise to write a comment on your next three posts. That’s right — THREE comments for just ONE comment. You think Dooce is ever gonna offer you that?! A deal like that doesn’t come too often!
(small print — this special deal is valid only until 11:59PM October 3, 2007)
A Year Ago on Citizen of the Month: Class Trip
You are truly all about the people. 3 comments for the price of 1? Unbelievable!
Seriously, even if I don’t comment all the time, I do read all the time – not that there’s any pressure there or anything.
Lots of times the spirit moves me to comment but I am just too damn dumb to translate my thoughts into sparkling prose. The checkbox would be awesome.
You can’t offer a Jew a three-for-one deal and expect her to pass it by…Hi! I live in LA too! Sorta! And usually, I’m not all about the exclamation points like this, but hey! It’s a special day!
Hiees! *mwah!*
Oh Neil, I couldn’t resist the three for one offer
Just saying hi. I suppose I don’t have to delurk since I’m the one who so brazenly asked you to add me to your blogroll… but I’m doing so anyway! Happy Delurking!
TC — ha ha, I love when Jews make stereotypical jokes about Jews and shopping! Too bad the others can’t do it… or we’ll get the Anti-Defamation League on their case. But, you are right — think of this offer as similar to a sale at Loehmann’s.
Hi Neil. Been Semi-lurking. Haven’t had much time for comments recently. And now I return to reading/lurking
You are the only blogger today that has made me want to comment on this whole MOFO day. I don’t think I’ve ever been a lurker on your site, because you hooked me the first time I read it. And today, I especially liked the “Blogging is Bullshit” line.
Hey, Mike F — Same here. How is your wife? Sophia sends regards!
I will not whore out my comments for a promise of love. Or maybe I will. Morals are a bit shakey
Dear Mr. Neil,
Sometimes, I feel like I comment too much on your blog…I feel like I am a pest. I’m inclined to think that perhaps my NOT commenting on your blog today would be a better gift to you, but, on the other hand…you have advised that I tell myself “Blogging is Bullshit!” So, I will not be insecure in this here blogosphere…I will breathe deep, dance around like I own the place, possibly belch a few times for good measure…and scream “F*** You!!” just for the fun of it.
Okay, I need a nap now. Happy Delurk Day, fucker. ;-P – V
Good Afternoon. I’m a lurker, a big one. You have shamed me out into the open. But it’s cool, I dig it.
I’ve only been lurking for about a month or two, but wanted to come on out and say hello. So…hello.
A mofo comment, just for you.
Happy de-lurker day!
Love me twice today.
I am such a whore, delurking for comments.
Oh, and the other day my husband recorded a National Geographic show reliving the construction of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, the place you sent me to on my birthday. It was lovely to revisit that paradise again.
Sarah — “Love me twice today?!”
Uh-oh. I dunno. I’m not 21 anymore.
I’m not sure if this counts as an official “delurk” or not, since this is my first visit to your site (I think!). Anyhow, in the spirit of the Great Mofo Delurk, today I have made an effort to comment on every blog I’ve visited today.
I really liked this post, though. Hey! I’ll be back!
I found you through Hilly and Dave2 and have been reading ever since. I’ve never commented, but have met you in person
) Go figure. So in the spirit of outing ourselves, I’m a big fan and enjoy reading!
It’s all about me anyway.
Hey, Neil!! Wow, I’m sure chiming in late. I’m not really a lurker, since I’ve been commenting for a while
)
Hello there!
I’m not a lurker either, but I’m TOTALLY comment greedy.
Delurking to say, have a MoFo day!
Neil, you don’t know how much I needed to hear these things today. Especially, “The blogosphere is cliquish enough” and “Feel insecure in real life, but never in virtual life.” Sometimes I get so sick of all the bullshit that comes with blogging. Can I say bullshit here?
I’m still catching up on promises and prizes offered to my readers from six months ago. Good luck with this one.
Not delurking…but catching up on blog life since real life allowed me a little time. Man, I hate not being able to read everyone daily anymore.
That was the joy of unemployment.
CP.
I have never commented on your blog because your talking penis offends me and you seem like someone who just wants to sleep with female bloggers.
… am I close?
Shelli, hmmm, I’m curious about what you mean by “all that bullshit?” Email me. Now that I’m in therapy for five weeks, I feel qualified to wonder if this is mostly in your head. Believe me, I understand.
Fringes — Trust me.
Charming — Yes.
CP — Hi, CP. You’re someone I regret not getting to know better after we first met online.
I’m only commenting because I believe you when you say you’re going to treat us equally crappy.
That’s awesome.
wow, over 80 comments. you’re gonna be a busy lad, at least i made the deadline!!
Dude, you’re going to be commenting for the next six months. Enjoy!
I’m one of those free-loading RSS readers, so its not in my nature to even read comments, let alone make them.
the anticipation of multiple comments leaves me weak in the knees.
Yeah, I am delurking. I like the word. You can keep 1/3 of your promise…keep some of your life/time
You know that I now feel an irrational desire to write three really challenging posts about Gaza… just because I’d love to see what you have to say. but that’s the pain in the ass in me and she’s mostly all tuckered out from head-butting the drug lords of Ghor this week so instead I want to say hallelujah to this post. Let’s not bring high-school cliques into our adult life via blogs. Everyone is welcome at my blog anytime and I do not expect comments to be funny, clever or even spelled correctly. I just love reading them on a cold and quiet morning here in the mountains. Thanks N!
Consider me de-lurked, but only for today.
#87 commenter…#1 fan.
Yikes, who are all these strangers?
just saying hi to my favorite blogging in the south bay area. no need to comment on my blog, not much there going on anyway. glad you’re keeping this up.
I don’t usually lurk, but I don’t comment enough either, so I’m commenting now because I’m a brownnoser.
BOO. there you happy? hope so! :hug:
I’m always a day late and a dollar short with the West Coast blogs. I just wanted you to know that I read your blog, but I don’t always come over to comment.
Saw your blog through this link:
http://notfainthearted.wordpress.com/
I like the idea as I blog a lot and do not get any comments hardly at all. It would be nice to get some reassurance that someone is reading my stuff and I am not writing in vain.
Whoa. You are going to have to spend like three hours commenting on all these other blogs.
Not necessarily delurking, and I’m a day late, and I’ll still comment here if you don’t comment on my blog, so hi!
I posted the same little delurk button and got FEWER comments than usual. Oy.
OK, Tiff, I’ll let you be late. You seem like the type who always turned their school homework assignments in a few days late because you were out having fun.
This is my first time reading your blog, but the most recent Delorean photo and entry convinced me to leave a comment! I will definitely be back to read more.
Dude – only in college and real life. And thanks – I look forward to seeing you ’round my parts.
In a purely platonic manner, o’ course.
Hi. I read your posts three days late. Does that count?
I’m such a sucker, SAJ. Sure. For you.