Thursday, July 02, 2009

No Comment

If you have just recently stumbled across this little blog o’ mine, then welcome. Please make yourself at home. Look around. Pick things up, put them back down wherever. I don’t care. Look through my underwear drawers, I’ve nothing to hide. You don’t need a coaster for your beverage. Don’t look too close at the corners, though, they may be dusty. I don’t have time to clean everything, you know!

Anyway, eventually you’ll probably notice something. I don’t have my “Comments” button on. I actually haven’t for years.

I don’t remember precisely when I turned them off, but I didn’t really think much of it at the time. People have occasionally asked why I don’t have them on, but I just change the subject or throw something at them and then run away while they are distracted and/or hurt. But really, I suppose I avoid the subject because I don’t have one clear answer why. I’ll try, though.

I started keeping a blog as really, just a place to practice writing and story telling. I absolutely love to read or hear people’s personal stories. Life-altering, intriguing, surprising, and of course hilarious – I love to listen and swap stories. I also occasionally enjoy writing a story satirically or even in a different voice than my own. With that in mind, I started writing this blog. And folks would leave comments, and it was all fun.

And then I felt I was too distracted by the comments. What could I write about that would solicit comments? Should I not post anything new until people have had enough opportunity to comment? What if people leave a negative comment and hurt my tender feelings? I just wanted to not worry about comments anymore.

Please know I absolutely love that people read my blog.  And when I visit with friends, I love that they’ll give me feedback or encourage me or whatever. But I enjoy the freedom of not being distracted by comments each time I write.

However, recently I have been threatened by a few folks if I don’t turn the comments back on. I mean, not since I was a teenager and convinced my dad to take our entire family to see Joe Versus the Volcano (starring two-time Academy Award Winner, Tom Hanks) have I been subjected to such harassment.

And so now I am reconsidering. And I ask, should I turn my comments on? Should I give it a trial run? Will you be offended if you make a compelling argument, but in the end I decide to still leave my comments off? While I have been writing sans comments for quite some time now, I am curious as to what kind of spirit of community might be fostered by folks leaving comments. Perhaps new friendships will be formed. Perhaps the “comments room” in my little blog home will become a safe place to rest from the weariness of life. A place to encourage others to share their personal, albeit brief, stories. A place where Joe Versus the Volcano will be showing in a constant loop on the television. (Because I stand by my conviction that that movie was funny. He should be three-time Academy Award winner, Tom Hanks!)

So, please leave a comment, and tell me what you think. Rock the vote! Cast your ballot! And let me know how you’re doing. I miss our chats and haven’t heard an update from you in a while, quite frankly. 


56 comments:

Michele said...

Ken the years we spent together taught me that both you and your Katie are very fun & funny people. Really the years we have spent apart are peppered with old Garrens jokes. Oh & the movie was funny.

Jonelle Hughes said...

Well, alrighty then! I am going to snuggle up in that cool bean bag chair you have in the corner of the comments room, and I want you and your family to entertain me! Wait, they already do that! Ken, I completly understand about the comments thing. It is like getting reviews of your work, your precious baby of writing, and it is more exposure. Couple that with an open blog, and you might as well be naked! But, I just like the comments on so that I can a) ramble on and on, b) tell you how much I love every piece, and c) shout things like, "You know what family means to me Lemon? Resentment, guilt, anger, Easter egg hunts that turn into knife fights.", and feel like I have been heard...by someone. So party on! Comments are on!

shauna said...

It doesn't bother me that you turned your comments off. I have just loved reading your blog and watching your family grow. I honestly just love to read and if you don't want to receive comments, then here is my last!! Just keep writing.

Rohan Shearer said...

How alike we really are sometimes (Jimmy Stewart impressions aside - you're much better than me). I've got you in the drool category though. I just turned my comments off last week for many of the same reasons you mentioned. I found myself getting upset if nobody commented, especially if it was comment-worthy! Then I found myself analyzing whether or not I should write something based on whether or not I would comment. I had to decide why I was writing the blog - was it for me? Or for them? Short answer - it is for me, a place to journal, share videos, recipes, etc. If people like it, they'll come back. If not, I'll refer them to yours for real entertainment. I put a disclaimer on my blog that if anyone really wants to comment, they can e-mail me or post a comment on my facebook status since I link every entry there. My one cent...

liNdsEYloO said...

here's what i think. do you really want me to say "haha so funny" "haha so clever" "haha you're blog rocks" "haha your kids are cute & your wife is my hero" on every post??
NO.
that's all you're going to get.
i'd keep them off. :)

Angela and Mike said...

good point. I actually totally understand the comment issue since I always like to get lots of comments :) I mean, c'mon...it boosts the self esteem. If you just like to blog to write etc., maybe leave off the comments. If you want to see what people think and think it'd be fun...comments on! Either way, I'll keep reading your blog.

Anonymous said...

I say stop being such a girl and do what you want! ;) I like comments because it assists me in feeling a little more connected with friends and to hear their take on things. I don't like comments because I too go through the vicious circle of thought. So...in the end....you should get a magic 8 ball and see what it says! :)

Unknown said...

Just WHO are these cyber bullies who are intimidating you into turning on your comments? I want names, Ken. NAMES! I mean, um, I want pseudonyms, Ken! PSEUDONYMS!

We have in fact already had this conversation, in both virtual and real reality. You know my position.

Comments are great right until the time that they aren't any more. That's what that little garbage can at the bottom of every comment is for.

All I know is, for every 10 "Oh U R 2 fN-e" comments I get, there's one that is a useful gem. Hence my stance on the comment issue.

Oh, and this reminds me of the time I was eating tuna salad...

Camie Rae said...

I honestly love your blog and haven't even noticed that the comments were turned off. So if they stay or leave, it makes no difference to me. What does matter is where I can sign up for that constant loop of Joe Versus the Volcano...I, erm, love that movie!!

Mom and Camera said...

Comments are a mixed bag for the reasons you and the previous comments stated. Totally up to you. Comments or not, it has been fun to read a little about your family and enjoy your humorous writing at the same time.

And, really, Joe verses the Volcano? On a constant loop? I am not sure I can think of a worse form of torture. And as for funny--that might be a bit of a stretch but I am guessing I could find a few reasons to laugh while watching.

Norma said...

I am teeter-tottering on this issue. I have my comments on and find it rather irritating when my friends/family do not comment on something I found particularly witty/fun/interesting whatever.....

Being new to blogging could you turn comments on for posts you are interested in startind discussions on then turn comments off again for misc. rantings?

just a thought....

Mz Baird said...

Long ago, the delicate tangles of his hair covered the emptiness of my hands. Would ya like to hear it again?

Angela McBride said...

Okay, so I've been stalking your blog for about a year now (hope you don’t mind). Your wife has convinced me that I can and will have my next baby at home! Your daughter has inspired me to continue trying to make the next best loaf of bread and through it all you have got me thinking that now may be the time to go back to church after 10 years of inactivity (thinking still thinking!). I can’t even tell you how I stumbled upon your blog but I love it!! I think you're hilarious you should deff leave your comments on!!

~Angela McBride
Bisbee, AZ

Mitch said...

Short and sweet - I like comments. I like to ask questions. Comments let me do that. Like do you dream in color or black white? Last night I had a dream about lime jello.

Heather Houston Smith said...

Hi Ken,

It was so fun to read your blog and see pictures of your great family. I found myself sitting in my kitchen giggling to my computer reading your stories. I loved the Corporate Olympics! Great BLOG! Comments or not!

Bridget said...

Are we allowed to comment if we don't know you? I agree with your reasons not to have comments, but it does make for lonely reading sometimes.

I've been reading/stalking your blog for a few years. I think you are a great story teller and I also love love love hearing about the births of your children. Your wife is a childbirth rock star, in my opinion.

Thanks for giving me a chance to tell you how much I enjoy your blog! Maybe I will feel less stalkery now about reading it.

Anonymous said...

I think it is fine to not have comments. They are usually all say the same anyway. Just write more! I love your blog!

Unknown said...

I like to lurk but enjoy having the option to comment. I would still read if you turned them off again though.

Reyna said...

I don't blame you for not having comments. I never have, and I never will. It changes the way you write when you're suddenly worried what people might say about it. I realize they still may be thinking it, but I don't have to know that! Just don't change a thing if you turn them back on!

Jofess (aka Joseph) said...

The only thing I can say is that the popularity that is Ken Craig will not go unpunished with comments. I think your readership has grown into the thousands. The one thing I think you won't be lacking is comments on your blog. The next thing you know, the paparazzi will be at your door day and night, waiting for the next photo op to grace the cover of People magazine. You'll be invited to do reality shows... oh wait, that's been done(is Ken and Katie plus 6 next?). So for me, I can't say that I have a preference either way as to whether you keep the comments off or on, but don't be surprised if you find the comment numbers going into the 100s and 1000s =D

Cailean said...

Okay time to delurk! I'm Rohan's sister up in Seattle and love your blog! Love love love. Hilarious pee-your-pants funny. At first I was disappointed your comments weren't on. But then I just got used to it. I've also considered lately turning ours off; I've noticed people are even busier these days. They will read blog posts but seldom stop to comment. If you turn yours on, it will probably change how you think about your blog. But change can be good!

Mirien said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mirien said...

We might think less of you if you let us comment. This way we're all impressed by how humble you are to be so uninterested in our praise and feedback. I like when the comments are turned off because then you don't feel the pressure to leave a comment! Plus, you don't spend extra time reading all the comments left by people you don't even know! It's a time-sucker. And I love it when people waste their time commenting on my blog. I'm just needy that way.

Holli said...

I only want comments on when you include me in a post and I need to defend myself. (See http://thecraigreport.blogspot.com/2008/05/parental-discretion-advised.html) But probably (hopefully) most people who read your blog don't know me, so I'm okay with it. I think I've matured enough to be okay with the mistakes I made when I was FIVE...and can go on. So if you don't want to include comments, I'll be okay. :-)

Kim said...

I'm also a stalker. Since this may be my only time to comment, I think you should write a book. If not, I'll just enjoy reading on the outskirts. ;)

WriterGrrl said...

I want comments on so I can give you messages for Katie. :-) She emails, and it takes me weeks to email back. And then I read you, and it reminds me of something Katie and I once did or spoke about, and I want to tell you to tell her, and... I can't. So. Totally selfish. :-)

Jana said...

I don't even know you, but I love your blog! comments or not...I will continue to read :)

merathon said...

i don't even know how many times i've read one of your posts, wanted to say something to you about it, and then realized i couldn't comment!

but, i love reading your blog, ken, and will continue to read it, comments or not. that's just how i roll. love you. love katie. love the whole kit and kaboodle. when my bloglines shows i have a new post from the craig report, i know i'm going to get a good laugh for the day. wanna know a secret? sometimes i don't read it right away and save it until i REALLY need a good laugh. that's the mark of a good blog,

Johnson Family said...

I don't know if you care about your TWENTY NINTH comment, but I am going to toss my two cents into the ring.

There is just one simple reason I prefer you not have comments...I read your blog as you are the big brother that I know and love...and it's weird to me that there are all these "strangers" leaving comments like they know you so well...who are they? I don't know! They act like they have inside jokes with you or something. It makes me feel out of the loop. So, until we live next door to each other and I feel like I am totally "in" on anything and everything going on with you, more so than these "strangers," then my vote is to leave the comments off.

Pete Codella said...

Hey Ken,
Purely from a philosophical social media perspective, I believe blog comments should always be on. Otherwise, you've got a website, not a blog.
But if that's your goal - a website where you carry on a conversation with yourself, no comments would be the way to go.

Vickey said...

You give some compelling reasons for why you leave the comments off. At first, I was all for turning the comments on, but I now see why you don't.
Like others, I will contiue to read regardless of your decision and you will remain on my list of all time favorite people that I have never met.
I like that you turn on the comment button occasionally, and think this is a good solution to the problem.
Good luck making your decision.
Good night and big balls...

Jennifer said...

I have no response to that. Cause Meg Ryan is awesome, too.

Camille said...

Ok, well I do LOVE you blog and you know that I'm sure- since I'm kind of your future book stocker! :)
I totally agree with you on the comments issue. If I only have one comment or NONE, I hesitate to blog again about my boring little life because then they'll have too much to read. In all reality they read it and it's just too boring to comment. *hurt feelings!*
So comment or not, I'll keep reading and keep the Ken Craig Fan Club going! BUT- from time to time I do have my thoughts or questions on your blog and by the time I see you, I've forgotten all about them. So I like comments, but it's all good either way! ;)

Kathy said...

Flip a coin!

Anonymous said...

I found your blog a little over a month ago and spent the next two days catching up with everything you have written! Your blog is by far the most entertaining blog I have found! So I will continue reading, comments or no comments. But since this may be my only chance to ever comment, I have to say, Tom Hanks was not acting in Forest Gump! I'm just sayin'!!!

Tamara said...

Sometimes I think of a good comment to leave and can't. So I vote for the comment button. And I agree, Joe Versus the Volcano is a funny movie. I'm glad you brought it up because I bet my kids would really like it--gotta pick it up sometime.

Jonelle Hughes said...

Speaking of good ol' movies... we watched Beetlejuice the other night. I now aspire to have Geena Davis' hair in that movie!

PS... I am SO taking advantage of the open comments. I vow to comment every day for the rest of 2009! ;)

Elisa said...

DeNae hooked me up with your blog, and I have to say it's one of my favorite haunts! (and Mrs. Fussypants is a fan? WOW! You're famous!) I will read your blog even though there are no comments. I actually want to disable mine. But they are like crack and hard to quit.

I don't care if you have comments on or off... just add your email to your profile so I can send you Anonymous love letters.

Ben said...

I just read through your comments. I'm exhausted. Leave them closed - can you imagine having to read all that after every time you post?

Seriously, my eye is twitching.

Melissa said...

Just thought I'd say hi while you've got the comments on ... we've really missed being entertained by the whole Craig clan and therefore get a little treat when we read your blog. I agree with Ben, leave the comments off cause they're distracting and we really don't need any more than your posts for entertainment! By the way, found my 80's picture recently from the Roadshow and had an instant rush of unforgettably fun memories.

CherryPitcher said...

As your comments are on I thought I would comment on how little I care about the lack of ability to comment after your comments (aka posts). Comments on or comments off makes no difference to my level of comment happiness. The compulsion to comment is more about the commenter than the commentee. So please look into your comment heart and you will know the right comment decision to make.

Jamie said...

I stumbled on this blog a couple weeks ago, loved the story about the taking the boys to the morgue. I used to want to be a mortican and would LOVE to have scared a group coming in for a tour!

Holy Cow I see why you turned the comments off, it would take you all day to get through them all. However, you are a popular guy in demand it looks like, so maybe you should just keep them on, and don't make promises to get back to people. In fact it might make you happy when you have had a stressful day/ or mad at someone to come on here and delete all 42 messages!

Marlise said...

I agree with Kendra! I don't know if you'll be reading comment #43--but here I am! I also agree with Kendra about you being my big brother that I know and love, and I don't know all these people.... Not that they can't know and love you, too! :) But you know...
I love reading your blog. I think it's up to you--if YOU want the comments. Usually, I just email you if I have something to say. And that's fine with me. I love you!

Anonymous said...

1. I don't know you and you don't know me 2. i LOVE your blog. 3. Keep writing.

Those are the only comments I would ever make... You can turn them off now.

Anonymous said...

Good hell Ken! You might need to turn the comments off just to get something done!!!!! ;)

Julie K said...

Yes please.

Tara said...

I couldn't care less as long as you keep writing.

The Wiser Side said...

Part of me wants you to turn the comments on so I can say "that's what I was thinking!" or "right on, slap me some skin", or "knuckles!" or to tell you about the time my kid threw up in the van too-all of which are selfish reasons cause I just want to be heard and to feel like we are commrads.
And the other part of me likes that you have them off-then I can keep my preverbal mouth shut. So my vote is...
Undecided
It doesn't help you, but it's a vote none the less.

Marliese said...

Wow, did you already know that a MINIMUM of 50 people read your blog? If not, then now you do...if nothin else, comments are good for a lttle ego boost, right?

MomPlumb said...

I never noticed the comment option was off. I agree with the person that suggested you turn it on every now and then so we can all feel like a member of the Ken Craig fan club together. Where do I sign up for my poster and membership card??

Ken Craig said...

I just want to thank everybody for taking a mo' to share their opinion, insight, and support. You are all wonderful. Take the rest of the night off, on me.

I think I will continue to do what I have been doing, and what has been suggested by some folks, and that is this: leave the comments on when the rare occasion calls for it. For me, that works best.

But please note, if you are dying to share a comment, you can click on the Email button and send me a note. I would love hearing from you.

Thanks again! Keep on keepin' on. And if you see your mother, tell her I said "word."

(Heart) Ken

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Anonymous said...

I want you and your family to entertain me! Wait, they already do that! Ken, I completly understand about mycfavisit survey the comments thing. It is like getting reviews of your work, your precious baby of writing, and it is more exposure. Couple that with an open blog, and you might as well be naked!

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