In the almost-five years of this blog’s existence I’ve gone from knowing (in a meat-space sense) exactly zero of my readers to knowing dozens upon dozens of them. This is a good thing for everyone as it increases trust; those who know me in the flesh can vouch that I am, as stated, a perfectly average forty-ish woman and not a leering old man. Or a twenty-something sexbot. Alas that I am not the latter, for that sounds like loads of fun.
But it comes with a negative side as well. Many, many times I want to say things that I simply cannot for fear that I would hurt, discomfort or annoy a reader who knows me in “real” life. How many times have I wished for the anonymity of Autumn 2005, when not a soul knew my name, face or friends! I know this feeling is anything but unique. Bloggers without number of the sexy variety and otherwise have shared with me the same complaint: As readership goes up, so does the fear that one’s words could inadvertently hurt someone who might read them.
With this in mind I propose a solution. I’m calling it AAG’s Home for Wayward Bloggers, or The Blogger Anonymity Project. Got a rant you can’t post on your own site because of possible repercussions? Want to sound off without sharing your name? Need the freedom to express sadness or some other difficult emotion without setting every tongue awag? Or would you simply like to avoid your mom reading about what you stuck up your ass last Saturday night?
Here’s what you do: Fire off an email to me with “Wayward Blogger” in the subject line.1 I’ll preview your work and give you a platform right here on aagblog.com. You get the benefit of anonymous venting as well as the always thoughtful feedback from my smart and insightful readers. People, we all win.
Now who will do the same for me when the need arises? Can I get a volunteer?
——
This site turns five years old on Saturday. Did you know that I’m having a contest for the big event with $200 worth of gift cards to Fascinations to give away? You didn’t know, you say? Read about how to submit an entry right now!
- You don’t even have to be a blogger to take advantage of this offer. All you need is an email account and something to say. [↩]
At your service, ma’am. You can rant anonymously at my spot anytime at all!
I’ve been blogging now for a little over 4 and have known you (blogatively speaking) just about as long…
Love this idea for a blogger anonymous…
Kisses and Stuff….
-The Savage
I love the idea of letting others vent on your blog :) Right now my blog is so small and anonymous that I can post all my own rants there ^^
Brilliant idea!
(Not that I’d ever… you know.)
Heh. I know.
great idea and yes, you can rant on our blog anytime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TJkxf4qPRI
cheers,
sss
This sounds like a great idea! I’ve had a rant perculating in my head for a few days now, so once I get in typing, I’ll send it right away :)
You can rant at my place anytime. I may have a rant for you if I can actually compose it with some clarity.
> Now who will do the same for me when the need arises?
Once there are a few dozen Wayward Blog posts,
you can add your own to the stack,
and who’s to know it’s you?
You can’t just pick up where you left off on your identified posts,
with the same names and topics and idioms,
or anyone who follows your blog will know it’s you,
but that’s an issue even if you post elsewhere anonymously.
(cf. Dan Foster, Author Unknown–On the Trail of Anonymous)
However, if you’re reasonably circumspect,
you should be able to post without drawing undue attention to yourself.
And if someone does guess, you have plausible deniability.
(Remember, the magic words are not “I didn’t write that”.
The magic words are “I can neither confirm nor deny…”.
Or, less officiously, “I don’t comment on Wayward Blogger posts.”)
This is, by far, one of the best blog services I’ve come across.
Please let me say that you can come on by any-ol-time and vent to your heart’s content!
I may well use this…
And, I’d love to have you post any kind of rant you like on my website. I’m all set up for it, too: I have weekly anonymous sex confessions on what I like to call ConTuesday. There’s a “Sex Confessional” link on the top bar that takes you to a little anonymous form. Sure, I mostly get sex secrets, but sex blogging secrets so totally count.
Not to suggest that you aren’t busy enough already, aag, but why don’t you do a whole site for this purpose? Since you’re going to be doing the work here anyway…and in this way, you would also have a forum for posting anonymously.
Interesting. Perhaps I will!
Of course, you could blog something yourself but credit it to an ‘anonymous blogger’.
SHH DON’T TELL THE SEKRIT!
I’d do the same for you anytime, AAG. Just say the word, and presto!
Oh yes.