Bloggers and the hate they recieve

retro:electro

I was watching tv yesterday and one of Ireland's top bloggers was on a chat show and was discussing some of the hate she receives online and negativity etc..
She said that she, along with a few other top bloggers, have a group chat on whatsapp where they screenshot some of the negative messages they recieve and chat amongst themselves about some of the "haters". She said that often a particular name will come up and they'll all block that particular person.

I never feel like it's acceptable to be nasty to a blogger for no reason, and if I ever have an issue with anything they do it's mostly to do with transparency over anything else.
The more I thought about it, the more I realised that these bloggers really don't get that much hate, do they? And any negativity they recieve is quickly jumped upon by their multitude of worshippers ready to pounce at any perceived slight. So why are they always banging on about the hate? Do they realise how pathetic they sound? They have it so cushy and handy, and as far as I can see they are worshipped and adored by many, but all they constantly harp on about is the negativity they recieve. Beats me.

ratmouse

This "haters" branding is genuinely pathetic. They are adored by their huge fan following. I would have thought that so much adoration and support would be what matters the most. From what I can see, their idea of hate is not what the rest of us would understand the word "hate" to mean in the normal sense of the word. A follower asking a blogger if a post is sponsored (in order to get a feel for the authenticity of the love of the blogger for that particular product/service) is hardly hate. A follower asking a blogger how they they too can achieve such good cleavage in low cut and backless tops without wearing a bra in the same way the blogger does, again, is not hating. Followers asking bloggers who have a make up range for further information on how their products are deemed cruelty free is not hating .These are just some very basic examples of questions you see on blogs that may be followed by the original poster being branded a hater and jealous for making such enquiries. These questions are then often deleted. How can everything else that is said and asked, save for statements of obsession over a blogger, be deemed as hate? Absolutely pathetic .

dudara

It's a general trend on the Internet at the moment; bloggers are one of the more vocal groups talking about it.

The Internet, social media etc are filling up at an astonishing pace with people who think it's acceptable to post all kinds of crud in public. This ranges from off-tone comments, all the way to horrific abuse and vitriol.

As a moderator and administrator on this site, I've received absolutely awful PMs. Content that makes me say "who actually thinks it's acceptable to say this to another person"? And it's not just confined to PMs. Personal comments about me have been published on other websites.

I'm not a fan of a lot of bloggers, but I bet you'd be surprised if they posted some of the more nasty comments they have received.

Please note that my comments above are not talking about actual fair critical comments. That's a whole other story.

ratmouse

dudara wrote: »

It's a general trend on the Internet at the moment; bloggers are one of the more vocal groups talking about it.

The Internet, social media etc are filling up at an astonishing pace with people who think it's acceptable to post all kinds of crud in public. This ranges from off-tone comments, all the way to horrific abuse and vitriol.

As a moderator and administrator on this site, I've received absolutely awful PMs. Content that makes me say "who actually thinks it's acceptable to say this to another person"? And it's not just confined to PMs. Personal comments about me have been published on other websites.

I'm not a fan of a lot of bloggers, but I bet you'd be surprised if they posted some of the more nasty comments they have received.

Please note that my comments above are not talking about actual fair critical comments. That's a whole other story.

I cannot understand why anyone would send downright nasty pms or even make nasty comments. Why? Or are these people just of bad Ilk in general and bad to the bone in the "real world" also. My remarks refer to an inability to allow genuine questions or queries or critique that may not always be laced with tones of adoration. I have not seen much nastiness on blogs but I do see a lot of support and love from fans on a constant basis. Is this not fantastic validation for bloggers? I just don't see the need for using the "haters" terms for anything short of not calling bloggers your ultimate "goals".

dudara

There's an awful lot of 'hate' out there in the online world. Take my word for it. And a lot of it comes from people who appear perfectly normal. It just seems like some 'sanity filter' is lost when it comes to posting online.

I don't disagree with you in the slightest that you say a blogger should be able to handle well-phrased, neutrally stated questions. The problem is threefold for me (a) there's a lot of hate out there that drowns out the more reasonable stuff (b) people may think they're posting a reasonable comment, but it's actually not and finally (c) we have generation snowflake, a group of people who can't handle any negative criticism.

Put all those three factors together and it's a mess

meeeeh

I don't follow bloggers, every so often I would check some but I wouldn't check follower comments.

What I do know is that even comments in proper moderated media organizations like Irish Times are complete cesspit. I can imagine that some other less regulated content has even more of dross that is intended to rile people off and drag the conversation off topic. Why would you bother with that? That's why delete/block button is there for. It probably doesn't need to be a lot of fuss around it but judging by some very personal remarks that were even made in threads here before I am not surprised it gets used often.

BTW when web was in its infancy a columnist said that letters to the editor are mostly written by morons and was slated for it. I think he might have been right and things haven't improved in the last 20 years.

retro:electro

meeeeh wrote: »

I don't follow bloggers, every so often I would check some but I wouldn't check follower comments.

What I do know is that even comments in proper moderated media organizations like Irish Times are complete cesspit. I can imagine that some other less regulated content has even more of dross that is intended to rile people off and drag the conversation off topic. Why would you bother with that? That's why delete/block button is there for. It probably doesn't need to be a lot of fuss around it but judging by some very personal remarks that were even made in threads here before I am not surprised it gets used often.

BTW when web was in its infancy a columnist said that letters to the editor are mostly written by morons and was slated for it. I think he might have been right and things haven't improved in the last 20 years.

That's funny you think that. If you did ever look at their comments section you would see they are littered with people falling over themselves praising the blogger about everything from the polish on their toes to the barely visible cushion in the background. The praise outweighs the negativity 90/10; hence why I think it's mad how they love to bang on about the "hate". And when I say hate/negativity I mean "usually love your style but that top wouldn't be my cup of tea", I mean how DARE they.

meeeeh

There was an excellent article in Guardian this week on how dysfunctional can relationship between bloggers and followers get:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/04/marina-joyce-internet-hysteria-witch-hunts-cyberspace

I'm sure there is some over sensitivity about comments but I can completely understand someone getting fed up with negative comments, especially if involves the same people. And I am pretty sure they are getting more negativity than just I don't like that top comments.

Emmser

I don't understand it either. Especially if this is their full time job. Blogging, snapchat and the rest is all based on publicity. The more followers, the more work and then income they receive. When in the public eye you can't ask for it all to be positive, it's crazy to believe they think that way.

It's like a teacher saying they want to teach but don't want discipline issues. It's part of the job.

Or an author saying they don't want criticism.

Or when a film comes out and is slated, a director trying to ban all the negative reviews.

Or a chef saying they don't want a negative review.

If this is their bread and butter accept the down side of being in the public eye. No it's not always pretty and I certainly would have no time for 'haters' that bully but being blocked because you saw a snapchatter going into a fake tanning booth and questioned them on it, or know that one had a boob job and you question why they're not up front about it as they complain weekly about their boobs being too big, is not bullying.

It's not a job for everyone and I'd really hate to be in the public eye but these people decide they want this and the more eyes on them the more income. Bullying is wrong, but in my opinion, any of the 'rants' I've heard are harmless. I have seen people trying to 'trip' a blogger/journalist up on snapchat and that's crazy stuff but being called a 'hater' for correctly stating naas is in Kildare and not Dublin is a little cray cray in my opinion!

And for God sake don't snap about it! It's as if they are showing the viewing public what will happen to them if they try to voice a negative opinion.....'say something I don't like and suffer my wrath'.

The career guidance counsellors inundated with hopeful future snapchatters and bloggers should point out both the negatives and positives of the career! And yes, believe me when I say, they are an inspiration to many a young male and female! Each to their own I guess....

ratmouse

Emmser wrote: »

I don't understand it either. Especially if this is their full time job. Blogging, snapchat and the rest is all based on publicity. The more followers, the more work and then income they receive. When in the public eye you can't ask for it all to be positive, it's crazy to believe they think that way.

It's like a teacher saying they want to teach but don't want discipline issues. It's part of the job.

Or an author saying they don't want criticism.

Or when a film comes out and is slated, a director trying to ban all the negative reviews.

Or a chef saying they don't want a negative review.

If this is their bread and butter accept the down side of being in the public eye. No it's not always pretty and I certainly would have no time for 'haters' that bully but being blocked because you saw a snapchatter going into a fake tanning booth and questioned them on it, or know that one had a boob job and you question why they're not up front about it as they complain weekly about their boobs being too big, is not bullying.

It's not a job for everyone and I'd really hate to be in the public eye but these people decide they want this and the more eyes on them the more income. Bullying is wrong, but in my opinion, any of the 'rants' I've heard are harmless. I have seen people trying to 'trip' a blogger/journalist up on snapchat and that's crazy stuff but being called a 'hater' for correctly stating naas is in Kildare and not Dublin is a little cray cray in my opinion!

And for God sake don't snap about it! It's as if they are showing the viewing public what will happen to them if they try to voice a negative opinion.....'say something I don't like and suffer my wrath'.

The career guidance counsellors inundated with hopeful future snapchatters and bloggers should point out both the negatives and positives of the career! And yes, believe me when I say, they are an inspiration to many a young male and female! Each to their own I guess....

Your examples above are exactly what I'm talking about. Pointing out when a blogger said that a workshop was being held in Naas, Dublin, that Naas is in Kildare and not in Dublin is hardly hate .It's an observation and a fairly inoffensives statement of fact. Getting so defensive over such an observation is completely pathetic. People, in all professions, should be capable of taking critism and be willing to hold their hand up if they make an error rather than terming the person who identified their error as a "hater". Going on a rant or calling people jealous is also pathetic if a blogger is questioned on something they have previously stated they have done eg, tanning and then when asked about the dangers associated with tanning state that they do not do any tanning and ignore the fact that they previously stated the opposite. This kind of behaviour seeks to make fools out of followers. In order to not be made look like a fool, the follower might remind the blogger that they previously mentioned being into tanning .To then have either the blogger come back and go on a rant or else allow other followers to attack the original poster and use the hater or jealous term is beyond comprehensible. Pathetic to the core. Nastiness should not be tolerated from either side but benign statements of fact is not hating or being jealous. As stated above, on the whole, bloggers have amazing support and well wishes from fans and followers on a daily basis. Such positive feedback must be fantastic for them.

sunbeam

meeeeh wrote: »

There was an excellent article in Guardian this week on how dysfunctional can relationship between bloggers and followers get:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/04/marina-joyce-internet-hysteria-witch-hunts-cyberspace

I'm sure there is some over sensitivity about comments but I can completely understand someone getting fed up with negative comments, especially if involves the same people. And I am pretty sure they are getting more negativity than just I don't like that top comments.

I never heard of that blogger before but find this case really shocking. It's clear from her most recent vlogs and facebook posts that she is in a very vulnerable state and really needs to be kept away from social media until she's in a better place.

Emmser

What's strange is how they are a very protected group in Ireland, even on boards (I love boards so please don't ex me off mod) but we allow the contestants of celebrity big brother and big brother be absolutely ridiculed and gutted to within an inch of their lives. Are they not one and the same, both searching for publicity and income? It's just something I observed. It should be the same rule for all people in the public eye who are purposely placing themselves there. I'm not talking about ridiculing etc but a healthy debate or criticism.

Also, please note I don't comment on BB or CBB but I do read the comments and they are pretty cutting.

I hope I'm not coming across as a 'hater' and again I totally condemn bullying but there's a massive difference between criticism and bullying.

dickiepower

ratmouse wrote: »

Your examples above are exactly what I'm talking about. Pointing out when a blogger said that a workshop was being held in Naas, Dublin, that Naas is in Kildare and not in Dublin is hardly hate .It's an observation and a fairly inoffensives statement of fact. Getting so defensive over such an observation is completely pathetic. People, in all professions, should be capable of taking criticism and be willing to hold their hand up if they make an error rather than terming the person who identified their error as a "hater". Going on a rant or calling people jealous is also pathetic if a blogger is questioned on something they have previously stated they have done eg, tanning and then when asked about the dangers associated with tanning state that they do not do any tanning and ignore the fact that they previously stated the opposite. This kind of behavior seeks to make fools out of followers. In order to not be made look like a fool, the follower might remind the blogger that they previously mentioned being into tanning .To then have either the blogger come back and go on a rant or else allow other followers to attack the original poster and use the hater or jealous term is beyond comprehensible. Pathetic to the core. Nastiness should not be tolerated from either side but benign statements of fact is not hating or being jealous. As stated above, on the whole, bloggers have amazing support and well wishes from fans and followers on a daily basis. Such positive feedback must be fantastic for them.

IMO I'd imagine this focus on the negative no matter how small is down to some sort of psychological issue. They blog to get adoration and instant gratification for what they do.

But while they do get it, it's not enough and one negative comment (or to them appears to be) appears and it just plays on their minds. Why should they care? They don't know this person and probably never will outside of the comments section.

One thing I'm curious is the fact that the blogger in OP's first post has mentions that herself and other friends have a whatsapp group where they share said hate. I'm not sure, why she would say such a thing in a publicly? Haters/Trolls normally only post their nasty comments for the reaction and this shows it does affect her in some way and will I IMO encourage it more.

Mrs OBumble

I guess that "bloggers" in the context of this thread really means fashion/lifestyle writers who happen to publish their content directly to the internet rather than through traditional media channels?

I've got blogs in 4 different niches, and I can categorically say I've never received any hate. Some of the spam is annoying, for sure, but not hateful.

Probably the difference is that I focus on providing useful content, not fluff. The entire fashion industry (sic) is based on the premise of getting people to buy more stuff that they don't need, by making them feel insecure about how they look. Of course it's based on bitchiness, and of course extremes will happen. That's just what the industry is about.

There is an on-going issue with mysogny - but it's nothing new. Women writers in traditional media have always received plenty of hateful material, on-line channels just extend that.

ratmouse

There appears to be examples of critique ,positive and negative,on the media site of a blogger who is providing info on weight loss style teas. People are giving opinions on such teas and their views on the blogger for being associated with these teas. People are asking as to why comments are being deleted and that they would like to see every one's opinion. Is this an example of bloggers not wanting any comments unless 100% positive I wonder?

fineso.mom

ratmouse wrote: »

There appears to be examples of critique ,positive and negative,on the media site of a blogger who is providing info on weight loss style teas. People are giving opinions on such teas and their views on the blogger for being associated with these teas. People are asking as to why comments are being deleted and that they would like to see every one's opinion. Is this an example of bloggers not wanting any comments unless 100% positive I wonder?

Yeah.I saw her instagram earlier, quite a few people expressing dissapointment that she's associating with the company, no hate just politely making their point. I just checked again and all the negative comments are gone.

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

fineso.mom

fineso.mom wrote: »

Yeah.I saw her instagram earlier, quite a few people expressing dissapointment that she's associating with the company, no hate just politely making their point. I just checked again and all the negative comments are gone.

I'm going to have to take that back. She didn't delete them. I was looking at the wrong pic.

SusieBlue

I can see why people are up in arms about the above mentioned blogger. She has completely overhauled her image and lifestyle through fantastic nutrition and gym dedication and it does now appear that she's jumping on the tea bandwagon just for the money.
I don't care if it's good for you & there's no laxatives, it goes against everything she previously advised and supported and to the average follower I can see why it does look like a sell out.
I can't believe she expected people to be delighted about it, for someone who gained a lot of her followers by advocating exercising and healthy eating, there was always going to be a mixed opinion on something like this.

fitzytour

The blogger in question saw dolla signs - simple as!!

For someone who constantly says she is honest and promotes integrity, well she's shot herself in the foot with this one!

Why not just be honest and say she saw a business opportunity, hell Id sign up if the price was right! Just dont try and pull the wool over your followers eyes, they aren't stupid...as demonstrated by the backlash!!

Sunny Dayz

To be honest, from what I seen on one of her social media accounts yesterday evening, she was taking the criticism quite well, professionally I dare say. No rants from her and no "haterz gonna hate" bashing by her followers. I found that it was a healthy discussion/ disagreement, people (to the most part) respectfully disagreed with her without being really rude.
[Unless other comments were posted to it since I viewed it yesterday evening]

SB_Part2

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

To be honest, from what I seen on one of her social media accounts yesterday evening, she was taking the criticism quite well, professionally I dare say. No rants from her and no "haterz gonna hate" bashing by her followers. I found that it was a healthy discussion/ disagreement, people (to the most part) respectfully disagreed with her without being really rude.
[Unless other comments were posted to it since I viewed it yesterday evening]

Can't say I agree with that. She was ranting on snapchat about it and jokinly saying that her dog drinks the tea. It looked like she just copied and pasted the same reply to everyone as well. A lot of the comments were deleted too.

Since she's a "Celebrity" now can she be named?

retro:electro

She kept saying she's not promoting the teas but her while blog post is 3/4 a complete defence of the teas and how misinformed we are about them. When people question her on that she says "I'm not promoting the teas I'm promoting a new line of products that haven't been released yet have you read the blog post", eh ya I've read the blog post and it's you defending the teas and promoting how great they are.
I think it's a bad business move on her part, this company are obviously using her aesthetic and all her hard work to show case their tea and promote is as some sort of miracle weight loss drink: that's the truth of it regardless of what she thinks.

biko

This thread is not about what one thinks about bloggers or their products/promotions.
It's about the critique/hate bloggers receive and how they handle it..

I know you're the OP but threads need to stay on track.

retro:electro

biko wrote: »

This thread is not about what you think about bloggers or their products.

It's about the critique/hate bloggers receive and how they handle it..

And people are discussing the critique she received in relation to her product.

ratmouse

She has since said that no messages were deleted. However, as someone above said, people have given very constructive criticism. You can tell people are genuinely shocked by her decision to associate with this tea brand. Yet nobody from what I could see, was nasty. And yet the usual defence force come in with "Did your mother ever tell you, if you have nothing nice to say"..... Or that there will always be people who are jealous. Seriously, this is the kind of rubbish that irks so many. Long term, loyal followers expressed genuine opinions with no traces of jealousy and yet there is still this defensive backlash. And a snap chat rant also .

Munchie27

Just randomly came across this thread and had to post as regards to the blogger receiving comments about promoting a weight loss tea,
This particular person deletes anything that's not considered swooning over her and anything she says or does, I've followed her for years and I too found myself blocked for simply writing that I agreed with an above comment under her announcement on Instagram, there was absolutely no hate from comments I seen just simple questions and all comments and people were deleted and blocked within the space of a few minutes, she says that she prides herself in how she conducts herself in such a mature manner regarding online "hate" that to me doesn't come across that way, unless your willing to fall at most bloggers feet with endless stun hun comments your at risk of the block button unfortunately.. The power has definitely gone to some of their heads it's shocking