I think it is interesting that you can "Join", "Follow", or even "Friend" people on Blogger. You are able to set your own title of intimacy with fellow Web Loggers which is great, it's nice to have choices. But does anyone else feel strange now that we are all "Followers?"
When I think of "Followers,"I have to admit that the first things that pop into my mind are negative. The first time I logged on and saw that people who followed other peoples' blogs are called followers, I immediately thought "Wow, how big would David Koresh have been if he had this means to communicate?" Probably not a popular example, but really, it was the first thought I had.
If you take the word follower and its synonyms, you get a list if words. Take the list and swap it out for follower and imagine your reaction to it if you logged on and saw it on Blogger.
| follower | |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | person who believes or has great interest |
| Synonyms: | addict, adherent, admirer, advocate, apostle,attendant, backer, believer, bootlicker, buff,client, cohort, companion, convert, copycat,devotee, disciple, fan, fancier, freak*, habitué, hanger-on, helper, imitator, lackey, member,minion, parasite, participant, partisan, patron, promoter, proselyte, protégé, pupil,representative, satellite, sectary, servant,sidekick, stooge, supporter, sycophant, toady,vassal, votary, worshiper, zealot Addict and worshiper are a little too strong. Bootlicker, copycat, freak, hanger-on, imitator, lackey, servant and stooge are associated with put downs. Some that I do like are minion, cohort, sidekick, admirer, sidekick and vassal. To me these words are not too strong and a little fun but to someone else, they may find some of these words offensive. Maybe offensive isn't the word. They may find the word choice strange based on how they have seen the word used in the past. I was not offended by the word follower, it's usage matches its definition and for all intents and purposes it is a good word. But my experience with watching the Branch Davidian's standoff and ultimate demise in Waco, Texas at the impressionable age of 18, and the repeated use of the word "follower" in the newscasts to refer to people that were associated with "the charismatic" David Koresh resulted in my initial response to seeing the word "follower" in Blogger to be negative. Does that ever happen to you? |
Matt,
ReplyDeleteYou make an interesting point about semantics here...based on life experiences/ideals people will have differing views and opinions about the very same thing. For instance, you thought minion was a more fun alternative, but (to me) this has a more "evil" connation...I think of mindless servants carrying out the dastardly deeds of evil doers - maybe I've read too many Anne Rice vampire novels????
In my English 9 class, this idea of what it is to be a leader or a follower comes up very often throughout the year - especially during our To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of The Flies units (for obvious reasons).
Makes you think about how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us...
Wow...
ReplyDeleteThis posting was a very interesting read. I've always known that semantics are important which is why I choose what I say carefully. On the other hand, sometimes you just need to say, what you need to say and people who arent overly sensitive will give you the oppertunity to clean it up after its all said. Following the group has been interesting for me too. This blogging thing is new to most of us but I embrace it and am already comming up with ways to use it in the classroom. Getting used to strangers commenting on my thoughts and feelings is very intersting and to me, it makes this experience more fun. I get to just be me. No filter, no chaser, just plain ole me.
Very interesting to read! I am new to blogging but certainly not new to posting personal things on the internet for the public to read. If you are considering using this as your revision paper here are my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI look at my "followers" as followers of my writing...not followers of me personally. It really is a funny word choice. I swapped it out for the word "fan". That's my personal favorite. I know how you feel about having followers now how do you feel about being a follower of Monique, Gina, and myself? I am interested to hear your opinion from this perspective.
I must say your blogs are very unique and I enjoy reading them!