When this blog starts doing more harm than good, then I'm done.
When this blog starts upsetting people for no good cause, then it's not fulfilling its purpose.
I've left up the posts that people may find important/ the ones people most commonly search for. I thank you for your kindness and your patience as readers.
I'm not sure what I'll do next. I might read but not comment. I might create a different blog. Who knows? One thing's for sure- this one is done.
24 comments:
What?!
Woah - I haven't been here in 2-3 days, and have no clue what happened, but...
What I've read on this blog over the last few months was incredible. It was easily one of the best blogs I read (and I read many, as you may be aware), and accomplished so much good, particularly in how it inspired, influenced, and impressed its readers.
I hope you decide to do what's best for you, and if that means stopping, that's the decision you should make. But if think you are doing more harm than good, I think you underestimate the good that you do.
It's your blog so I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do, but I'd sure miss it if you stopped. I second Ezzie in saying it's one of the best I've read.
I don't see why someone's right to not be upset should supercede your right to speak from the heart. Unless you're inciting violence or hatred, you bear no responsibility for upsetting people with your words. If their psyches are so fragile that a blog post can knock them off-kilter, they really shouldn't be online. Or reading. Or leaving their house, frankly. :-)
I third Ezzie
I don't believe I have really commented on this blog, but I have always read it. You're blog is truly heart felt and honost and I hope you are not leaving for the wrong reasons. No matter what you do or write, someone will always be upset. Do not let that guide your lifes decisions.
Chana: What ezzei said. And everyone else.
ditto to what ezzie said as well.
you will be missed! but all the best for the future :)
Chana:
One of the problems I have with blogs is that the comments tend to be those that celebrate us, congratulate us and tell us what a wonderful writer, thinker, etc we are. Your blog in particular contains few alternative opinion responses. I am surprised that you would shut down simply because someone or many someones criticized you or disagreed with you, or even told you that something you wrote was "poorly written" Then again- your reaction to this makes me smile because I get to see a glimpse of a seventeen year old who would likely react like this rather than someone who says she is seventeen but appears on her blog to be much older. So what happens now- perhaps it is time for you to stop- enjoy the last weeks of senior year,but maybe think it over. At no time in any of our lives are we beyond the critique of others, nor should we want to be but that's okay- you are a talented and gifted writer- and you can stand the heat-
All the best
I too am a faithful reader and not sure what set you off. I do hope you reconsider, because if you were to ask your readership, there is little to nothing to complain about.
Just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your blog over the past few months, but I respect any decision that you make. In believe that blogging can suck something out of me/you/us, and sometimes I/you/we would rather put that energy to different uses.
i also agree with ezzie.
chana just because you upset people with one blog post doesn't mean your hurting anyone. (and this is comming from someone who panics any time someone criticizes me on my blog)
really, you've not done more harm than good honest.
Ditto to Ezzie. I read all the time, and really enjoy your writing. Please change your mind.
Chana- I have never written before; I just read and absorb. I am not surprised that your last post elicited a strong reaction from your readers. I wish you hadn't deleted it and the responses people sincerely gave. There is much more to say about the topic of child abuse; I think some of us (meaning me) don't feel all that comfortable discussing it with a minor who we don't know. (meaning you) I would imagine this would make your parents uncomfortable (and I don't believe that they are creepy)Still none of this explains your sudden decision to end the blog.
Chana- If you're quitting because you don't want to continue, that's one thing. But in terms of the harm/good your blog is doing, I think that everyone here agrees that it is a major net good. Suppose, just theoretically, because I really didn't see anything creepy about it, but suppose that you wrote one creepy post. Suppose somebody was offended, or even hurt. So what? You've never made a mistake before? One error is enough to convince you that all of the other good you can do is worth nothing? If you're doing it for yourself, then we have no right to stop you, but if you're doing it for the good of the world, I would urge you to rethink your calculations.
I'm completely with Ezzie, Jerusalem Lights, and others. I thought you wrote a very moving and sincere posts... I haven't read all of the comments, but whatever they may have been they were those of people expressing their opinions at a very heated subject. That's all. There's no reason for that, even if they were upset and angry, to take it personally and stop you from writing. You had a very inspiring blog, and I think, if you really want to make a difference, you have to write IN SPITE OF what others might say, not just because of. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!
Yep, ditto everyone else. But I understand that it hurt your feelings and I understand that negativity can make you lose your drive to continue. I just hope you realize that this is unecessary. Can the positivity of these comments change your mind?
You did something truly extraordinary here, and as you can see, you’ve won the respect and affection of your readers. We’ve all learned a lot and enjoyed the journey. You may find that you have more to say in the blog world, you may not, but in any case I’m sure that these great talents will not go to waste.
M’chail el chail.
I also read but rarely comment, mainly because it is not often that I have anything to add to your well thought out posts. I hope that you will reconsider. You have an insight and sensitivity that is rare. I wish you all the best next year in college. You will be an asset wherever you go. And I do hope we have not heard the last of you.
Well, like others have said, you will be missed. Enjoy the rest of your life!
I think you are very bright and articulate...and too young to be blogging. You still need time to have the different parts of yourself catch up with one another. Blogs are not a good place to get objective feedback while you are still developing.
I'm sorry you feel it necessary to go.
I did not read the entry and responses that caused you to think it necessary, so I can't reasonably comment on that. I've enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for the emails you answered as well - they were a model of clarity in an often confusing world.
Good luck at Stern, and I hope to see you in the blog world again sometime.
Ezzie said it first and said it best. I only just found your blog, so I'm sorry that it's disappearing on me. :-(
"So I'm really sorry I ever wrote it. I'm actually sorry I have this blog right now."
Its funny how sometimes you come across as an adult, and other times, such as now, you act like a 6 year old.
I think part of the problem is that this sudden decision to stop blogging appears disengenuous at best. Your writing and your personality (of course we really do not know you at all) appear strong and sturdy. Your replies to those who have disagreed with you in the past have been sharp and without hesitation. So the damsel in distress persona, the oh - my - gosh- I hurt someone I can't possibly go on- doesn't really fit. The truth is that what you wrote about your parents feelings about not letting you sleep over at friends' houses was an indictment of your classmates' parents and those in your orbit. To me that is obvious and not simply a wrongly perceived hurt. Why wouldn't they be horrified to be placed under suspicion? As a relatively new mother,whose seven year old had a delightful first sleepover on Motzei Shabbos, I would not want my children growing up being unable to trust those in our social, religious or community circle. I am sure you had a wonderful childhood but I feel bad that you may never have had a sleepover! Yes there is danger everywhere and most of us make decisions for our kids as the situations arise; I need to trust and hopefully my daughter will as well. You are a lovely writer, I have enjoyed your blog and wish you the very very best as you continue to grow to adulthood; but lets keep it all in perspective!
On the one hand, I am very sad to hear that. I loved your blog. On the other, there were so many wonderful posts, so often that I could barely ever keep up with you, so at least now I will have a chance to catch up and read them all. I will email you after I do.
I cannot figger out why you're quiting, but I (and clearly many who commented before me) wish you would reconsider.
It's a good blog. A thoughtful blog. And I've got you on my blogroll......
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