The ladyblogging question
Posted at 2:06 PM Nov 19, 2009
By Andrea Grimes
Is ladyblogger stock going up or down? Earlier this year, a Technorati survey showed that women are a blogosphere minority. But they were surveying mainly political blogs and didn't appear to take into account that people who are not political bloggers (of any or all genders) might be important and interesting. So there's that.
Then, we found out that DoubleX is being folded back into Slate. Which is fine by me because DoubleX was largely uninspiring and, jesus christ, that Lucinda Rosenfeld business. But it prompted the Jezebels to ask whether or not we need websites for women at all. Being a website for women, you can imagine, they would say precisely this:
... women's blogs aren't just blogs for women. They're blogs about issues that affect women -- issues as various as reproductive rights, healthcare reform, world affairs, and yes, Battlestar Galactica -- for anyone who happens to read about them. Many of these readers are women, but many of them are men, and some of them -- both male and female -- are bound to be people who haven't thought much about feminism or women's issues per se before. Women's blogs can sometimes be echo chambers, but they can also reach a wide and diverse audience, some of whose minds will surely be opened by the experience.
My concern: do women's websites ghettoize women's issues?
Hard to say. My impression is that Heartless Doll has a pretty active male readership--I know many of my own guy friends read the blog and we get a fair amount of comments from dudes. All of which helps to dispel the perception that women's issues are just little lady things, and no concern for men. My kind of feminism is about getting both sexes involved and upsetting the ways in which we're all oppressed by gender. I think women's websites are good places to get that conversation going, largely because many of them have a feminist consciousness and are easier for guys to access than feminist books or even women's magazines.What's the role of a ladyblogger, then? And are there really so few of us? Mother Jones' Marian Wang (who asked "Where Are All The Ladybloggers?" in October after the Technorati survey) gave an interview to Harper's this month on the subject:
I know part of the survey's findings was also that a higher percentage of bloggers -- at least, higher than expected -- actually had backgrounds in news and journalism, in which case I think it's quite logical that the gender disparity in the blogosphere mirrors the disparity in our newsrooms. Technorati doesn't really raise this point, exactly, but the thoughts that drove my blog post were more along the lines of why, outside of the world of hobbyist-type blogs, there aren't more women writing political blogs. A lot of women I know seem to decompartmentalize a little more -- the political is mixed with the personal -- and I wonder if to some extent that diffuses their opportunities for branding and reaching wider audiences with their blogs...I like her argument that women's politics are often personal, and that may influence the political blogger shortage. Does this ring true for you, Dolls?





Comments
I can't help but think a woman's politics becomes more personal because a disproportionate number of men make decisions regarding her body, her marital status, etc. Suffrage was personal. Abortion is personal. Equal pay was/is personal.
And all were ultimately decided upon by men who never had to deal with not having a vote, not having a say over what they did with their bodies, and got paid at least what they were worth, if not more.
Posted 11/19/2009 at 02:09:58 PMThe only blog run by man i read is toplessrobot.com
Posted 11/19/2009 at 02:27:33 PMall the other blog stuff i read is run by women.
I like pizza.
I don't choose to see female-centric blogs as "other" just as a "type" of blog. Just like say, Topless Robot is a geek-centric blog, that doesn't mean non-geeks aren't welcome, maybe just that they wouldn't get as much out of it. People will gravitate towards their own personal interests, whether is real-life or in the blogging world. It is just an adjective, really, or a way to filter all the information out there for your audience.
But I think female-centric blogs do tend to seem more gender focused just because, in concerning ourselves with female rights and issues, we bring up issues concerned with all genders (I am including male and trans in that statement as my trans friends identify with both or neither), and in my experience it seems women are more open than men to discussing these issues with other women and other men. Gender issues are just that, GENDER issues not necessarily one or another as gender is something that is fluid and can be changed and/or experimented with.
I think the "role" here is just like any other blogger regardless of gender, color or socioeconomic status, to bring and share ideas with those who agree and disagree with you in the form of intelligent conversation. Our generation is getting more inclusive and a blog is a place where anyone and everyone can visit and participate should they choose.
Posted 11/19/2009 at 02:53:26 PMThere are some crap blogs out there written by women and crap blogs written by women who crap on other women.
Particularly noteworthy is a blog written by one pushy broad who keeps hitting her readers over the head with her, "I have a MFA" chant, and "People, have I mentioned I have two published books by Random House (over 5 years ago, but still, I have two books published by Random House), so you better take me seriously, even though I really have nothing much more to say most any other time, unless it's with he help of my "friends" who I've latched onto, and they let me because have I mentioned that I have two books published by Random House?
Posted 11/19/2009 at 06:24:30 PMO MaryMel, I so know who you are talking about here. It's that lost in space about those books she had published a half decade ago woman who slammed Mommy bloggers in her blogs last summer at that convention in Chicago, she couldn't write about because of all those excuses she kept making. She had a big problem with the soap people, right?
But you go to her own site and she's all into pushing the vodka and cupcakes. Like getting drunk and suckin up cupcakes is so much better than washing her kid's clothes? No no girl, we seriously don't think so. I can't help think about what it's like for a child to be going around with stiff toed stinky socks needing washing because a self righteous Mommy is too slammed on her cupcake martini and way above detergent that she can't step foot near a laundromat. If she could even find the time to wash the child's socks after blogging her days away going on about skinny jeans, her cleavage and her sad fixation on that vagina of hers.
Posted 11/19/2009 at 07:01:33 PMOh Rod and Mary, jealous much? Silly wabbits.
Posted 11/21/2009 at 08:59:43 AMSo obvious it's jealousy, Nick. You got it. No seriously, are you like her boyfriend or something? Biased based on what?
Dial up that interview from last August 1, on the weekly Friday night podcast out of Portland on the social media scene, she did when she got back from her wasted time at Blogher in Chicago . Why that thing hasn't gone viral is beyond comprehension. That or an SNL skit with her brilliant account and condescension toward Mommy Bloggers, the only thing she brought back. Seriously Nick, do your homework. I challenge you to watch it without snorting your morning coffee right out your nose and across the room.
Posted 11/21/2009 at 09:36:51 AMHey- Marymel and Rod Ruffles, your words would have so much more value if they were:
Posted 11/21/2009 at 10:56:45 AM1. On Topic
2. Not Anonymous .
Seems to have caught your attention.
Posted 11/21/2009 at 12:58:12 PMUm, bridget pilloud, do you even know what the topic is here? Did you happen to read in your haste to make a comment, that it's about women who blog, and a question the author poses is "do woman's websites other or ghettoize women's issues".
If you haven't seen the podcast referenced above interviewing your Narrative Actualization partner who blogs, from August 1, ripping into Mommy Bloggers and her ridiculous one sided and shallow comments about Blogher 2009, you might want to. Not doing so, makes you look quite frankly silly and uninformed, and well, in your own words, "off topic".
Posted 11/21/2009 at 01:38:12 PMThe podcast was like looking for a needle in a haystack since I don't live in Portland. I Found it on Strange Love Live. An organized site, easy to navigate past shows by date. This one was from August 1st.
Posted 11/21/2009 at 02:42:25 PMMy question is, how did the hostess keep a straight face interviewing Ms Beavis and Ms Butthead? She was cool though. It's good for some laughs but it's also weird how seriously the other two women bloggers took themselves and put down women who blog and work from home raising kids. They came across pompous and ignorant. I have read other accounts from women who were at Blogher. No comparison.
Marymel & Rod -
I've been sitting on this for some time, but it seems that you have some sort of weird personal axe to grind with these women and this is hardly the place for that.
If you're an adult - you handle your problems like an adult, and not by shooting off half-baked lies on the internet, based on on little or no actual information.
There is a concept that I'd like to introduce you to - it's called "Integrity" - it means:
"adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty."
Just think about that and what it means. I can no longer sit by and watch viciousness like this be thrown out with such blatant cowardice.
The two of you are very clearly weak, sad, and lonely. You have no character, no dignity, and I pity you.
If you think that coming on this blog and anonymously attacking innocent people gives you some sort of power over them - it doesn't - it just means that you're a coward.
Take this however you will - and go back to your minivans, dirty socks, and whatever other inconsequential bullshit it is that you think makes you a better person than the rest of us, because I'm sure that you're both absolutely perfect.
If there's any justice in the world you'll be on the other end of something like this someday soon - and I really hope I'm there to see it.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 12:30:01 AMDane Phillips, whoever you are, check out the podcast, if you dare. It's all there for the entire world to see. Get back to us on that, will you. The last 12 minutes are particularly enlightening. It might be difficult for you to see a friend make a fool of herself, and "ghettoize" woman's issues, but it doesn't make it less true.
You may have a personal or business related agenda and something to gain in denying a probable friend's actions and go so far as to accuse others of lying, but the proof is on the internet and often in that particular woman's blogs. Your personal vendetta has no place here. Please read the post, and understand what the writer asked input on. If it makes you feel better to attack me, ok, but that's not what this article asked from it's readers (though the site probably appreciates your hits), and it doesn't serve the topic. "Anonymous" "Mini Van"? "Lies"? Oh, I get it...your purpose is to discount the truth, amirite? Just check out the video, will you?
Posted 11/22/2009 at 10:06:58 AMDamon Phillips, if you are interested in viewing the video Mary and Rod are using for an example to the topic of how other women intentionally or not end up ghettoizing other women and their issues ( can you agree that being a Mom is a woman's issue ), you can find it on the Strange Love Live site; "When the Bloggers Come Home"; Episode 119; "BlogHer Recap with Kathryn and Melissa".
I don't see Mary and Rod doing what you are accusing them of. Their style of making a point might not be your style, but this is a snarky site, many of us feel we can do that here to make our point, and it works, but from what I've seen and read on what they brought to the table, they are not lying, like you accuse them of. When you accuse woman of lying when you don't understand the issue or topic and it's obvious they are not and can back what they say, it shows you as another male feeding fule into the woman hating machine.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 10:28:46 AMChecked out the infamous video mentioned above. These two passive aggressive hypocritical shrews, with their problem about Mommy Bloggers are simply astounding. Emphasis on "simple".
They admit they didn't take in anything at BlogHer, other than cocktail parties, because they were too busy playing off the conference site, yet spare nothing in tearing the convention down with a scathing critique based on what exactly? Since they really weren't there.
Melissa Lion says she didn't attend any of the educational panels offered, other than the one she happened to be on. How does this smug self promotor get away with that? Isn't that like doing a book review without reading the book?
Particularly interesting, is Melissa and Katherine's attack on the Mommy Bloggers sexuality, from the vantage point that they could only know if they had spy cameras in the Mommy's bedrooms. That part on the sexual toys was beyond the pale.
This video is a great example of women who blog and stupidly ghettoize their sisters in the process, as they work to make it all about themselves.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 03:55:23 PMCarlos - do you have a ponytail? Just wondering... (also you spelled "fuel" wrong).
To be honest - I don't care what the podcast says - and the issue of lady blogging couldn't possibly be less important to me. Mommy blogging has replaced scrap-booking as the #1 hobby for uninspired suburban housewives.
Do I really give a shit about your the cupcakes you baked? Nope.
Do I care if someone younger and prettier than you in skinny jeans cut you off in line at the grocery store? Not in the slighest.
Does this make me "another male feeding fule[sic] into the woman hating machine." ??? NOPE. It just means that I find your blogs (and lives) to be terribly dull, and I'd rather spend my time reading about people who are accomplished, interesting, and have something to say (regardless of their gender).
What I love is that you're trashing a woman - FOR TRASHING WOMEN. The hypocrisy is so ripe here that your friend Gretchen could make a pie with it.
Marymel - I guarantee that you've done more in your lifetime to the detriment of "women's issues" than anything else. Donning a pink shirt twice a year and dragging your fat ass around a parade route doesn't make you some kind of hero.
Conversely - just because Melissa's ideas about blogging, the internet, and motherhood don't fit into your white bread, homogeneous idea of how the world works doesn't make her some kind of villain.
Personally I think it makes her a strong woman for having her own opinions, and standing by them. She should be applauded.
Go back - read your comments on this post, and many others on this blog and think really hard who's the woman hater here.
Bottom line - you should ashamed of yourself and the way that you've acted on this blog.
Sexist.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 04:12:03 PMDamon Phillips, you sound like you could use an outlet other than a feminist website for your anger issues, since you don't appear to read the articles here.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 04:23:14 PMThere are other sites for you to share your opinions on which might be better suited for you. A new social networking site called Simpleton, with an ape for it's mascot might gain you an outlet for all your creativity.
Thanks for the tip Mr. Sensitive Ponytail Man.
I think your Mom is calling - she needs her afternoon bath.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 04:48:46 PMOk man. Looks like you are on your downward spiral with the flaming thing and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
If yours is a cry for help, seriously check out the new Simpleton site. Maybe you can help them with with some new ideas there, and work on your self esteem. The Hobo thing doesn't seem to be getting them much traffic, but from what it looked like it was a good idea and you would fit in there too, with being a bum.
The topic of Rage Issues, or something you have going with bathing your Mommy, might also connect you with any others, and they might send you a free t-shirt for coming up with something new to help people on the Simple Ape site. God bless and Happy Turkey Day.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 05:31:12 PMWhat Em says. Wow Damon Dude! I agree with Carlos you got to reach out man. The simpleton social site is not my thing but a writer on HD could be connected to Simple Minds or whatever it's called. Ask Kial for help. Go to her stories she might be able to direct you to the monkey thing. Take the step man remember you are never alone. Don't let pride or lack of money or sibling success rivalry stand in your way. Help is a click away but don't think you are going to find it on a feminista site. Chill.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 05:53:38 PMThis is funny.
You're all the same person - posting under different names. I can tell because you command of the English language is not what one would call comprehensive.
I'd wager your Cathy - the crazy Scientology lady (Didn't you die yet? Aren't you like 90???) - or most likely part of the "Super Butch Mustache Lady Club" that like to follow Kiala and Melissa around and hate on them because they wouldn't sleep with you.
Whoever you are - it doesn't matter what you say - we've already won - we're relevant and your not.
I hope that you get AIDS of the cancer of the Leukemia of the eyes, and then you're eaten by wolves.
How's that for rage?
(Also AIDS = still funny)
Posted 11/22/2009 at 06:31:06 PMNoooooooooooo Coolio, no way direct Damon to K. She's a hanger on. A user. A sucker fish. With zero interest in helping those in need. She's a hag who exploits. Exploits people working for their rights. She works the game by the confusing way she has with words, trying to keep people off her ME ME ME game.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 06:37:07 PMDamon Phillips, you posted one of the sickest comments to date ever in the history of the world above, with your "(Also AIDS = still funny) sentence.
Several have read it and discussed it before, when reading it on Dane Hasseldahl's twitter feed, where we first saw it. It was twisted then and it's twisted now.
Interesting who Dane is married to and who Dane's wife's best friend is. Is Damon Phillips, Dane Hasseldahl? Whatever...Dane Hasseldahl tweeted it out there first.
Dane/Damon, should you delete your damning tweet from that monkey ass Twitter of yours, now that the world is on to you and your sick right wing user sucker fish hag exploiter wife, it was printed the same sick lame ass day you first tweeted it to the world. Please reference below: Ciao you skin head Nazis!
Hey there! dane_hesseldahl is using Twitter.
Dear bastard internet trolls - I hope you get AIDS of the cancer of the leukemia of the eyes... and then you're eaten by wolves.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 07:14:06 PM9:10 AM Oct 30th from Nambu
I like burritos. Who's with me?
Posted 11/22/2009 at 07:39:59 PMLess and less people are with you and that skin head husband, Kiala. Soon it will only be you and Dane and your war games. Nice try infiltrating the left.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 07:55:25 PMNo matter what your agenda and politics, who signs your paycheck. where you think you're successful faking it, who you might have an unrequited crush on, think you can be using someone for your own lack of depth to complete you, who you can exploit; the electric eye is always on you. Always.
Your tweets, your blogs, your comments, your posts, your reviews, your faking it through, is captured before you can erase it.
However you choose to walk the tight rope in life, it's captured in the new media world. Anonymous, pen name, birth name, your moniker of choice, it's the word that matters. It's the idea that reigns, and if you're faking it, the contradiction has already been captured.
You've left your thumbprint, and the electronic eye is watching you, babe.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 09:16:51 PMDamon Phillips = Dane Hasseldahl = Kiala Kazzabee = lost and confused
Posted 11/22/2009 at 10:21:56 PMAIDS of the cancer of the leukemia of the eyes is a Patton Oswalt joke off of Werewolves and Lollipops.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 11:06:04 PMKiala, who are all the people you and your husband/ Dane Damon keeps hallucinating the people commenting on this site are? Cathy, Gretchen, some 90 year old Scientology pie lady? You two live too much in your make believe world. It doesn't make you relevant, more just like aging little stumps of Trolls. Grow up. You're practically old enough to be Felicia Day's Mom.
Posted 11/22/2009 at 11:31:32 PMIronic the probability of Dane posting as Damon. It wouldn't be the first time he attacked people with that anonymity accusation of his. That and his off the wall boiling rage are his signature. A screamer with nothing much to say. Now allegedly caught in the act of making anonymous Troll comments himself. Classic.
Posted 11/23/2009 at 04:56:26 PMThe queer woman in the video podcast had too much botox. How'd she manage to suck on that Tiki straw? Send those monkeys straight to YouTube and give Gloria Steinem a big hoot.
Posted 11/25/2009 at 03:06:41 PMDane Damon, you mentioned that Mommy blooging is the numero uno hobby for uninspired housewives. Well Hell I say. Hell! What's the matter with that?
Posted 11/25/2009 at 03:42:02 PMI got me a neighbor out in the wanky Hawaiian named suburb where I live, who can't even do that because she's on her damn twitter box all day. Some people say she has her own "I Ain't Nobody's Mommy" blog , but she can't even attend to that, she's so stuck on her twitter machine.
I'd bet my last vintage Reno shot glass my neighbor would give anything to be as dedicated to something as some of these funny as shit and smart as a whip Mommy Bloggers are. Anything aside from sucking on her little birdie feeder 24/7, and going nowhere in a big hurry. Hell if I wouldn't bet she'd almost give a prayer to a tumbleweed, just to be able to finish her own boring scrapbook, but looks like she's way too far gone to blog anymore. Mommy or no.
what is going on in this comment thread??!! Somebody called someone "Mr. Sensitive ponytail guy".....were they being serious? Was it like an actual, meant to be hurtful insult? Buuuuuuurrrrrrnnnnn!
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