It's an age old question as long as blogs have been around. Is a blog really a blog if the readers cannot comment on posts?
Famous marketer Seth Godin has decided to turn off the comments on his blog. Looks like the commenting its taking too much toll on his writing. Seth, however, is taking TrackBacks so that all of us can read about what other people think about his decision. Read the TrackBacks. It is all fascinating.
In my opinion, there is the essence of blogging and then there is the blog format.
The essence of blogging is getting to know one another which occurs because of reciprocal dialog. It's a two-way experience that is:
- expressive
- bonding
- speaking from your heart
- sharing
- collaborative
- uniting
- openness
- what I think matters (the blogger and the reader)
- feeling the pulse of your readers, community
The blog format is how you physically set-up your blog using tools like TypePad, WordPress, Movable Type, Blogger, or any of the blogs on social sites like MySpace, MSNSpaces, etc. Blog format is the mechanics of how you go about formatting and letting other subscribe to your content online. The mechanics for blogs are the same for a website. The fundamental feature, however, that differentiates a website from a blog, or forum for that matter, is the conversation part, the reciprocal dialog.
Therefore, when you turn off the ability for readers to comment, what you have then is a website in blog format. When you turn off the comments to your blog, you are turning off the essence of blogging.
As a metaphor, it's like going out on a date with a new cutie, and all they do is talk about themselves, their opinions, and their life. They don't leave any room for you to talk about yourself, to share your stories, your pain, your laughter, your opinion. We've all been on dates like that and it is no fun. Even worse, why would you see them again? The essence of dating is the joy of getting to know each other. When it's one way, you simply have date format, two people meeting.
Blogs are no different. We blog because it is the joy of getting to know other people and ourselves through their eyes.
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