Six Reasons Blogging is Better Than Talking "IRL"
I'm not (totally) anti-social, LOL, but I will admit that I prefer writing blogs and video blogging to having conversations "IRL" - which means "in real life."
Why? I'll give you six very good reasons...
1. You can't interrupt me when I'm blogging. I can just say whatever I want, and ramble on and on and on. You can stop reading, pause or stop my videos, but you can't interrupt my train of thought while I'm actually blogging.
That's pretty awesome. Heh.
2. In real life, I can't edit out something I said - that I wish I hadn't. It's impossible to suck words back in after they come right out of your mouth... before you really thought about what you're saying. Given that happens to me a lot, LOL, I've come to LOVE having the option to edit my ramblings before they get published.
3. In real life, I can't moderate comments. I'm stuck with them, and I *have* to either respond to them or ignore them - right on the spot. 😯 Which can be awkward. Very awkward. I much prefer time to process the comment, and how I want to respond. If I want to respond at all...
4. In real life, you can easily get sucked into a really long drawn out conversation. Depending on how many people are involved (and how long winded they are) this could go on for hours! Online I can participate in the conversation - OR NOT - at my leisure, in my own time.
How rude would it be if I interrupted a deep IRL discussion to say "hey, I'm going to go take a nap" then return and try to pick right back up a couple hours later? That would never work. LOL. But online... no problem!
5. In real life, I get harassed by weirdos when I'm out in public. It just happens. I'm a freak magnet. And then there are some people that are just plain annoying. Online, I have the option of clicking "Block User" or clicking the delete button. Man, I wish everything in the real world had those buttons! I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to click MUTE or Block User on someone "in real life." 😛
6. I don't have to be dressed (appropriately) to blog. Or wear make-up. Or fix my hair. Or even take a shower! Unless it's a video blog, and then I can just "fix up from the waist up." That would never work out in real life... unless you happen to stop by my house unexpectedly. Which I don't recommend.
Hanging out with people in person is cool too. Sometimes. But I really love video blogging and writing blogs, and communicating online for the most part. Does that make me antisocial? Nah. An OCD communications control freak maybe... LOL.
I was actually supposed to be at the county fair tonight with my friend Kim and her family. But I opted out and decided to stay home and blog (go figure). I actually had a massive headache earlier - you gotta love Fall allergies! - and really just didn't feel like showering, shaving, waxing, buffing, sloughing, blow drying and all that jive.
Kim can't complain too much though. She's the one that introduced me to this whole internet thing back in the 90's! So she's basically responsible for me getting sucked into blogging and ultimately preferring it over "IRL" communication.
I look forward your "hearing" your comments...
Seriously! 😀
Best,
About Lynn Terry
Lynn, this is FUNNY! As I was watching, I kept thinking...this should go viral! I bet you could put in some funny graphics in between clips and then get everyone to promote it and see what happens. lol
Regarding Reason #2 (I think it was 2) about those conversation blunders when you say something that comes out totally different than what you intended and you can't take it back? Like my blunder with you back at NAMS in February? Oh, what I'd give to turn back time and redo that comment. I was really nervous because it was my first time at NAMS. I joined Lynn's conversation because it was a 'safe haven' and the remark was meant to be just a funny comment about the size of two Great Danes in one home. (Don't anyone send me any hate mail, I'm really a hug animal lover!) Well, funny it was NOT ... and I realized it as soon as it left my lips. But it was too late then and I cringed and was mortified when I realized how it sounded. I was just thinking about that incident again this morning actually and remembering how bad I felt. But even worse was 1) it surely hurt your feelings and then 2) probably made you mad as h***.
For all of you reading this, (for the record) I would NEVER knowingly hurt Lynn. I admire you as a mentor and strong business woman but most importantly, I consider us friends and I love our dinners out together. Also, (for the record), I did apologize to Lynn as soon as I could get her off to myself, and I think we both might have gotten a little choked up.
But, Lynn, you're RIGHT ON in your video. These things just happen because we're human and make mistakes. And doing video, well ... You could say you're hooked on a 'controlled substance'! lol Video takes the vulnerability out of being 'out there' and at least gives us some kind of control, some kind of safety net.
So, I think video is the perfect tool for those of us that aren't social butterflies. With video, we still get to be visible when we want to but without the vulnerability.
Good video and I still think you should try to get it go VIRAL!
~ Sherie
LOL Sherie - I don't even remember being offended or taking that in any sort of negative way. 🙂 Two great danes IS a lot of dog, lol. Fortunately (?) I have more space here than I need anyway - especially since my son moved out. And you'd be surprised how quiet and calm danes are as a breed (well, you probably know).
Anyway, no worries - it must have bothered you more than me, because I don't recall it being a sore point at all! 😀
I absolutely agree with everything you said!
#1-4 are also the reasons I don't take phone calls from clients.
Ahhh - phone calls and live chats, another hassle! LOL. You have to actually schedule in a time block for those. It's so much easier to communicate via plain text. 🙂
Yes, you are absolutely correct, there is so much of freedom if we choose to take up blogging. No boss on the head nagging all the time, no dress code, no time limits, no deadlines and lots of free time to spend with the family and friends. We can also go on holidays without blogging getting much affected, this feels good.
That's all true, and those are things I've really enjoyed since quitting my last "real job" in the 90's. I *love* working on my own schedule! 😀
love it, Lynn ! I'm the same. My favorite reason is number 6 😉 Oh, and since I'm a good listener, I usually have to listen to everyone and their uncle's life story IRL. Sometimes I'm in the mood for it, but sometimes, I'd rather stay home & express my own opinions - by blogging 😉
LOL - I'm so spoiled on the "not getting dressed" thing that it really pains me to have to be out somewhere all day in decent shoes and clothes with buttons and zippers and such. haha. I love my regular work attire!
It's interesting really, how technology has changed our communications preferences... 🙂
I agree to whatever you have said Lynn in this post. I too avoid talking to people as far as feasible. Direct conversations make you stay alert because the people you are talking to continuously keep judging you. Apart from this there are all the issues that you mentioned in your blog. They are so damn irritating. i just thank God there is a way out to save people like us.
LOL Peter. True. You gotta love those disapproving facial expressions, the unsolicited advice, etc. At least online you can filter it out, or respond to it after you've had time to take a deep breath and really think about what you want to say back. 😛
I can imagine myself already shooting a video of my ownself and talking my heart out and more then that whatever comes to my mind. Just say everything and no one can interrupt or suggest useless things. Then going through the video, editing on the unnecessary and offensive (LOL) part and fianlly attracting people with the video. It is an awesome way to generate traffic.
It's also an effective way of presenting yourself in the way that you prefer. 🙂 IRL there are so many random things that happen during conversation - a sneeze, rubbing my nose, getting tongue tied, you name it. All of which I can edit out of a video. Heh.
Ahhh I must say it is the best way to present a blog or post. Record a video, express in the best way possible and put it up in the post. It helps readers understand the concept and motive of the post clearly. In addition it is interesting and eye catchy. We often say, "Oh this post has a video, let me watch it, it must be surely enjoyable." Atleast I do that.
And sometimes it actually is! Enjoyable, I mean. 😀 LOL...
Lynn, you are hilarious! I definitely find myself to be a better communicator in writing than IRL. I think my brain is great, but it does process information slower than IRL conversations tend to go, thus forcing my mouth participate without input from my brain. 😛
That said, there is still something about your Monday and Thursday Brainstorming Hours that remind me that I need some "In Real Time" (IRT) connections as well. Thanks for showing up!
That is ONE place I don't mind being in the "hot seat" and "going with the flow" LOL - I love Brainstorming Hour! 😀 But yes, otherwise, my brain and mouth don't always work on the same timeline just like you said. LOL.
LOL. There are good and bad points to both on and off-line life. I like the good parts of both, and can also find a lot to complain about!
I agree - I've mentioned in other videos the downsides to virtual communication. Such as trolls and trouble makers and spammers, and... oh, the list is even longer than my six above! 😛 LOL
Ha ha - this is a great post and it is so true! I'd been immersed every day with people over the last 20 years in my job, and this has changed immensely since I've come online 2 years ago. I sometimes wonder if I've become too anti-social.
You have reassured my Lynn 😉 No 6 is my favourite - it made me laugh out loud.
But I do agree with Val B - Brainstorming Hour is an excellent foray into IRL and I think this is because of the association with like-minded people.
It's a big transition, isn't it? I do love to go to meet-ups and events when I can, and get out and socialize IRL for a bit. But I always enjoy coming back to my quiet home and my comfortable spot in front of the screen. 😀
#6 LOL... what are you wearing right now?? 😛
I think direct conversations make you stay alert because the people you are talking to continuously keep judging you. Apart from this there are all the issues that you mentioned in your blog. They are little irritating. Good post, thanks for sharing.
LOL, wonderful blog but for me it doesn’t matters much I love socilaizing & face to face conversation. Obviously direct conversations make you stay alert because the people you are talking to continuously keep on judging you but you really shown some good benefits of blogging.
I have enjoyed all the points you have made. I can understand how a person can remove oneself from reality.