In a recent article we did dealing with a business that (perhaps jokingly) exhorted its facebook “fans” to “flame” a local blogger, commenter Generic asked, “How is sending traffic to someone else’s blog anything but a favor?” I asked our own Beth Spotswood, who has been the victim of many a (far less organized) flame on her column at SF Gate for her thoughts.
I originally asked Beth “can you explain to Generic why getting flamed sucks and is not worth the traffic?” But then I realized that this was kind of a bullshit thing to ask her! After all, it’s certainly worth the traffic to *me*, why am I assuming she’s such a delicate flower that it’s not worth it to her? So let’s hear what Beth has to say:
A few years ago, I would’ve said that traffic is so not worth it. But a few years ago, I cried when someone sent me an email telling me I rambled.
I’ve been writing my SFGate column for 3 years and uh, calling me a rambler is nothing. Just last week, someone suggested I get shot. Someone else called me a “fat cow east coast carpet bagger.” I was born on California at Cherry, but whatever. When I start to see a lot of comments on one of my posts, I emotionally prepare and remind myself, “It’s traffic. Lots and lots of traffic.” Because really, since I love writing and I want people to read it, I want traffic. Even if the crazy ones want me dead.
If I were KevMo from Mission Mission (which I’m not because I don’t adore Benders or jean shorts), I’d be fine with being “flamed” by members of a nightclub’s facebook page. And then I’d take every opportunity to rip on said nightclub until the end of time. Mission Mission is a great site. I bet a lot of those “nightclubbing douchebags” will stay and read some shit.
Thank you douchey nightclub for all of the traffic.
What I do not do if “flamed” (God, I hate that word) is respond in the comments. I guess it depends on the “flame” (still cringing), but for the most part, I don’t participate in comment wars. Why? Because I get to say whatever I want in a whole column. What’s up?
Also, can we please go back to using the word “flaming” as it was meant to be used? It’s supposed describe really great gay people. It’s a good thing.
