Do you know what de-lurking is? No?
Do it anyway.
Why?
Because Sheryl says so.
Well, and a fair amount of other people. Why? Because it’s National De-lurking Week.
All that means is that bloggers are looking to hear from EVERYONE who reads their blogs, right there in their comments… not just the same 1 or 5 or 20 or 200 people that comment daily (highly variant around here, depending on the entry.) Not that those people aren’t loved and not that they aren’t enough all on their own. Because they are.
It’s just nice to hear from everyone else.
It’s not just a need for attention, though I’d say that’s a part of it. I mean, if you’re writing on the Internet, some part of you wants to be read. And if you have comments open, some part of you wants a response. It may not be WHY you write, but it’s a side benefit.
But it’s also kind of weird — and I mean weird, not bad — that there are hundreds of people who come here daily — not via search terms or click-throughs from other blogs, even, but from bookmarks — and they never say a word.
Not a peep.
Not even a little something.
Even when you stop by several times a day.
I understand this, of course… maybe you feel like you have nothing to say. Maybe you feel like commenting is just looking for attention on someone else’s website. Maybe you are tracking me for the CIA and you’re forbidden to speak. Maybe you have nothing to add to the discussion. Maybe it takes too much time. Maybe you can only think of mean things and you feel that this would be counterproductive (though I have no idea why you’d keep coming back, if that were the case.) Maybe you think comments are stupid.
But. Hi. I’d like to know that you are a real person and not a bot, just this once. Because you’re here every day, and like that guy in line at the coffee shop, I’d love to know your back story.
SO!
How are you?
Am I the only one who thinks the term lurker sounds like some kind of slimy lizard hiding behind a rock waiting to jump out and scare the bejezus out of the next sucker to amble by?
I’m just saying.
I believe you have created a veritable de-lurkathon! I am also a cronic lurker (that sounds a bit pervy) but couldn’t help revealing my presence now. All the cool kids are doing it.
p.s. I adore your blog!
I’m a dork. I say dorky things. This is why I do not speak. But I read. I try to become cooler. This is what I do.
Author Louise Rennison’s books have a glossary that defines lurker in UK slang as something quite different, but equally sinister. Hopefully you’re now de-lurked by all definitions.
Ok, Im a new lurker via Gillian but voila. I expose myself!
Present.
Late, but de-lurked.
Delurking to say hi and thanks for the good reads.
Hi Meg – you finally got me, and I have crossed the line to comment. I stop by and read to keep up the info and really enjoy your writing. Especially your blog on Poppa, touched my heart.
I’ve comment a few times here before, but you don’t respond to very many comments (and usually only those from folks you already know). On behalf of the lurkers, if you want a dialogue with us, then write back!
I wrote first, though:). Thanks, Lem, point taken.