Authoress

I got through waves where I read a book a night and then nothing for months.  When I was in middle school, one of my teachers told me the first thing I should do when I read is to find out about the author.  It gives context and it often lets you know how the research or opinion will be presented.  I think this is the case with blogs. 

There are some where it's clear the writer knows what s/he is talking about.  But it's not so cut and dry when it comes to 'relationshipinion'/'opinionship' blogs.  Would you listen to the ramblings of a man giving advice to women if you knew he was obsessed with Latino women because when he was in sixth grade one dissed him hard at the fall dance?  Would you take 'how to get married' advice from a man who has a child out of wedlock, speaks ill of the mother--his live-in girlfriend, and doesn't have the decency to offer her the financial protection marriage provides?  Would you take advice from the woman who has never had an official relationship let alone marriage?

I've stated time and time again that I know how to get dates.  I'm pretty firm on that.  Getting married?  Check with some of the other folks.  And even then, you may not get the magic bullet you're looking for. 

Ya see, unless you find someone who is like you, dating the same type of people you're dating (or want to date/mate) then getting on-line advice is useless when you don't have context.  AND, if you're 20 looking to a bunch of other 20 year old for the keys to the kingdom, your ass is gonna stay locked out. 

I think the reason we look to 'strangers' on the net to help us through the maze of life and specifically choose people like us is because:

1. We want people to affirm that what we're doing and thinking is right.  Pride.
2. You can attempt to frame your situation so that people read it the way you want them to read it.  And if you stick around people who share you rage and circumstances, you're less likely to encounter someone who can read between your lines.

Even when it comes to things like child-rearing, like tends to gravitate to like for the same reasons stated above.  Message:  Be careful whose stuff you read and believe is gospel--especially if you don't know what's under the emperor's robe.

Comments

[WuDaMan]

Yes I would take some advice from a cuff up. A the maxim goes a wise man can learn more from a fool than the fool from thee wise man. The wisdom is begotten by the reader not the one who lived it not so smartly. I think your teacher had good advice when it came to hermeneutics. Though the author be wrong in some point it may be applicable to another area of life. You got to be able to identify the constants & the variables, & the varying constants.

[Ted]

Message: Be careful whose stuff you read and believe is gospel--especially if you don't know what's under the emperor's robe.

Amen. When it all boils down to it, most bloggers essentially write with their "first date" garb on. They put on their best face for each entry and each opinion so as to hide the numerous imperfections they have in their own lives, lest they be ridiculed.

Eh whatever. When it all boils down to it, with exception of a select 2 or 3, bloggers are nothing but bloggers to me. I treat them like bartenders: best friends whle I'm drinking, but don't think twice about'em after I leave the bar. lol

[SoJo]

CHUUCH!!! SYNAGOGUE!!! TABERNACLE!!!

[SoJo]

Hit "send" before I was finished. That's why I have such a problem with "advice" givers...especially on these here innanets. Even if their "Bio" seems right, you have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.

[Honest]

No two people are alike. So what works for one may not work for the other. Hopefully people realize that as they're reading.

[BlkBond]

I see you still reading those other blogs eh? I know you went to school with some of these people and I am a bit curious to know who you speak of, but it's to be expected.

Thing is: this is a living for some people. They'll write about whatever it takes to get them paid, under the guise that once they've 'made' it, they will continue with their true purpose. Riiiight.

I'll be back...

[onefromphilly]

Advice reflects the giver. It's not always good, it's not always malicious. Like my Mom always says "before you act, consider the source".

[Heartdrops]

Sigh. WRITE THAT BOOK, please. I will be really mad at you if you let Mr. you-know-who write a THIRD book! That is all.

[KaNisa]

Sooo funny...I used to HATE reading about the author's time period/history. I was always like, "dag, can we just get to the book?"

Yep...lol...

[Ames]

I am going to need someone to keep me updated with the various blog stuff. Any volunteers?

I can barely read/write my own blog with two kids underfoot. I feel so out of the loop,.

[Akima]

My mother says this as well and I couldn't agree more.

[Ms. Smart]

But folks aint too good abt recognizing a fool on these innanets!

[Ms. Smart]

And our opinions validate what we do?

[Ms. Smart]

Lemme pass u an Obama church fan AND a thigh-meat hanky!

[Ms. Smart]

It's a small world though so sometimes, the truth floats to the surface. Remember on my old blog how dudes used to get busted out?

[Ms. Smart]

I think the issue is that even when u think u have major things in common with a blogger, u never really know until you interact with them in real life.

[Ames]

and.... there is a Martin Luther King site on the web, run by the Ary.an nation.

Its the 3rd top site on google because people link to it to show the importance of knowing who creates stuff on the web.

Kids who know nothing about King and without the sense to pick up a book will read it and that is the King they will know.

[Ted]

Umm, no?? LOL I'm not sure what you're asking.

If you mean are our entries true to who we are in person, I'd say yes.

If you mean does our moral stance on every issue line up exactly with various and sundry shenanigans, I say hellz no. LOL

[TravelDiva]

My momma says the same. *Cools herself with church fan*

[Ms. Smart]

I read because I'm waiting for (and in some cases have seen) growth in thought and expression.  And yes, people do pander and make promises.  There are just as many politicians in the blogosphere as there are in DC.

[Ms. Smart]

Exactly!

[Ms. Smart]

Ya know, considering that since I've been blogging I've been unemployed and relatively free to write it for damn near a year (though I'm employed now) and haven't written it, I'm not sure that's ever going to get done---Unless I get a ghost writer OR software that writes what I say.  Plus, who am I to write a book about anything except being me?  I wouldn't want people all up in my real business as they try to find out about the author.

[Ms. Smart]

No we can't get to the book because we need to know what made the author even touch the subject, her experiences that might cloud her judgment, etc. 

[Ms. Smart]

Well let's see, there's the natural hair nazi's, not to be confused with the women who just want healthy hair.  There are the women who say stop having babies outside of wedlock and those who oppose them.  There are the men who are fascinated with all things Latino. There are the Black women who can twist any conversation into why black women should not date or marry Black men.  Etc.  Most of it is the same stuff different addresses. 

[Ms. Smart]

PERFECT example.

[Ms. Smart]

Both.  And I know I'm not morally sound.

[Ms. Smart]

The MLK, Jr. fan or the Obama Family fan?  And do you have on your thigh meat hanky?

[Ted]

Bullshyt. I mean, if you are measuring on the saved&sanctifiedfilledwiththeHolyGhost metric system, then ok, but then ain't nobody morally sound but Jesus.

But by my lights, you are as good and sound as they come. Besides, morals are just what massa taught us to keep us in line and picking cotton.

[CreoleInDC]

This.