Why No Comments?

First let me say I have nothing against comments on other people’s blogs. I am perfectly happy to chime in when I have something productive to say about what I’m reading. And I try to adhere to that old chestnut, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing.” (Though my silence should not be interpreted automatically as disapproval. I could just be making a sandwich or trying to balance my budget.)

I decided against comments on my own blog for two reasons. First, I have had many an enjoyable, thought-provoking blog-reading experience ruined by scrolling down too far. There are an awful lot of people who use the comments section as some kind of anonymous outlet for anger and hatred. And it seems, more often than not, to be completely pointless. Just pot shots for the sake of it. I’m not into anger and hatred even when I understand it, so I am doubly repulsed when it makes no sense. (Claimdisser:: What I’ve seen of the WordPress community so far seems blissfully devoid of that kind of nonsense. See reason number two.)

Second, when I see a movie or read a book, there are no comments at the bottom. I am free to ruminate upon what I have just experienced without input from total strangers. It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it. In fact, one of my favorite things to do in the whole world is talk about art with my husband. But I’d rather have a little time to explore my own opinions with people I trust before I participate in an open discussion. So I’ve decided to make that possible for you, too.

I hope you see things in my blog that you want to think about. Then, if you feel like sharing with your friends and family, there are those cool sharing buttons!

If you really, really wanted to say something directly to me about what I’ve written, then I am truly flattered and I’m sorry to have frustrated that desire. Thank you for reading.