Welcome to Book Blogger Confessions is a meme that posts the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about topics that are unique to us. Feel free to share, vent and offer solutions.
Just keep it respectful - no bashing authors or other bloggers! If you want to participate just grab our button and include it in your post with a link to either Midnyte Reader or For What It's Worth. We will be providing a linky at the end of our posts so people can "hop" to see all the participants answers.
Question: Should bloggers & authors discuss politics? Does that turn you off to a blogger or an authors books if they tweet/post about their political positions or do you appreciate their passionate point of view?
It doesn’t really bother me very much. Most bloggers have strong opinions – that’s why most of us blog – so I appreciate that they may be just as passionate about politics since it effects all of us.
I know it gets tricky with bloggers and authors speaking out on Twitter/Facebook etc. I suppose we could all have different profiles for that “private” side of us but that would be a pain.
Having said that……I HATE when anyone tweets (I’m a tweeter so that’s what I’ll talk about) about the SAME thing 9000 times. Even books. So if any author/blogger/friend starts tweeting/ranting about the same topic over and over I unfollow. I want conversation and fun when I’m on Twitter. A little debating is fine but all out war – not cool and honestly….are you going to change someone's mind with a tweet? Nope!
Another deal breaker for me is slamming the opposing side. I don’t like when it gets personal.
And for authors I would add trying to pimp their books when they’re getting attention from their political tweets. I’ve seen that and I dropped that author like a hot potato. Even though I happened to agree with their political views. Sharing your views in fine….saying ”hey! If you like my stance on *insert topic* then buy my book” which has nothing to do with the topic is a big no no.
I rarely tweet and never blog about politics because it gives me angina. I don’t think people are looking to talk about anything anymore. It just ends up in a fight so unless I’m so mad about something and I’m about to explode (which has happened once or twice) I shut up and talk off line with friends.
No matter what your politics are VOTE!
It’s almost over!!!! YAY No. More. Commercials.
Question for November 19th: Giving thanks: Is there a book that you are thankful you have read? Maybe it has changed your life in a small or even a large way, or made you see things in a different perspective.
Topics for the remainder of 2012 can be found here! Link up your post!
I'd prefer if politics stay far away from the book blogging world. I understand it's important for people to be aware of what's going on in the world and that a lot of people are ignorant but I'd like to keep them separate.
ReplyDeleteI say this because I'm one that is insanely aware of politics and I'd prefer if they didn't mix.
I don't think I would ever discuss politics on my blog. I don't mind tweeting/facebook etc as long as it doesn't get preachy or overdone.
DeleteI mostly skim over it though.
Agreed! :)
DeleteI never talked about politics, but then politics here are over quickly, commercials, ha, no and it does not take over
ReplyDeleteDoes it bother you to read US bloggers talk politics? Since it doesn't really effect you do you get annoyed?
DeletePolitics, in my opinion, should never be discussed. That is your political stance however there are some things that needs to be kept personal. Even outside blogging I never like talking about politics, just creates too much friction if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteThe environment is so toxic right now so it makes it difficult to discuss things.
DeleteIt would be difficult for me to not discuss it ever though. I'm too opinionated lol
Honestly, I don't think we should have to hide that side of us! If respect were more of a common thread in society, all would be well...
ReplyDeleteOh respect....where have you gone?? lol
DeleteI see how blogging and politics wouldn't' mix but I also think blogging is a hobby so why wouldn't' you have other sides to your personality? I think the key is to not bludgeon someone over the head with your beliefs.
Love this hop! I'm going to join up next week, I think. :)
ReplyDeleteI run away like crazy when I see someone getting political. I can't even discuss it with my own family without it turning into a shouting match with one of my brothers so I definitely am not interested in talking about my views with a stranger. I've heard so much wild rhetoric from my brother that bothered me that if I heard it coming from a favorite author, I don't know how I'd feel about that (and I know that's petty, believe me).
I've seen it on Twitter, and even when it's about a candidate I support, it makes my stomach hurt.
I'm glad you enjoy it & hope you join in!
DeleteIt's so much easier when everyone agrees with you! lol
I don't mind an author disagreeing with me. I can keep that separate unless it's something particularly hateful.
As long as it's not a non stop thread of politics and preaching.
Yes, I hate when someone Tweets an opinion or message or political joke over and over. To me it's the same thing as someone coming up to me and kind of shaking me until I respond. I don't like it when people bash the opponents either.
ReplyDeleteYes I hate when its overkill with tweets. Almost over with commercials etc
ReplyDeleteI expect that bloggers and authors all have political opinions, causes, etc. I just don't think tweeting snarky political stuff accomplishes anything.
ReplyDeletePeople's political beliefs are usually deeply rooted in their upbringing and their personal experience. I don't think a person is going to read a political tweet and smack their head and realize they've been wrong all along. The best thing an author or blogger can do to promote causes they believe in is to write (or blog about) books that might actually change someone's mind.
I agree Jen.
DeleteI have never changed my entire viewpoint based on a tweet. I expect people to stand up for what they believe in of course and I don't mind at all if they talk about it but there is a way to do it that gets your point across without being annoying.
I don't mind when an author tweets their respectful, political opinion, especially when it's an opinion I agree w/. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI feel that just b/c a person is an author does not mean fhey don't deserve a political opinion. I'm much more bothered by the authors who repeatedly bash other authors/books.
I kept my mouth shut during all the political stuff. I actually was reading on election night and put my book down quite late. I logged on to mark my book as read and happened to glance at my facebook wall and people were saying stuff about laws passed and that Obama was still president and that actually got me dying to know more about how everything turned out. I ended up being WAY happy about the outcome of things in my state (Washington) and I kind of wanted to squeal and tell everyone how proud I was to be a Washingtonian, but a lot of my friends were talking about how they were praying for our nation and how we're doomed and all that, and I just felt like I might cause problems. Which is ridiculous, because I have a right to be happy, even if they aren't, but I guess it's easier to not rock the boat, I guess. Personally, I don't mind people stating their opinion, but going on and on and on about things, like you said, is just annoying.
ReplyDeleteAnd authors did that?! That is INSANE!