Monday, October 26, 2009

Blogging as a form of giving back to bloggers?

I ran across a blog that went on a mission of photographing a stranger everyday for an entire year that actually did it. Do you see this as a way of giving back by being an example of someone actually doing what they set out to do as a blogger?

iheartstrangers is the name of the blog.

Is this a way of giving back?
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26 comments:

  1. Just telling it like it isOctober 26, 2009 at 5:17 PM

    I believe living our lives by example teaches more than tell any one person about our good deeds

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  2. SenoritaOctober 26, 2009 at 5:39 PM

    I wouldn't say this is a way of giving back to the blogging community, because we don't know if these people are bloggers or not. Actually, all of us blogging are giving back by sharing a piece of ourselves.

    I love this guy's project, and would think it is meaninful for him, and may inspire some of us. It inspires me to put myself out there more.

    But honestly, I wouldn't classify it in the same category as something like community service.

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  3. Sharon K. MayhewOctober 26, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Tom,
    I'm thinking it's more of a personal goal than a giving back thing. If this person is doing something charitable or something to benefit society then it's giving back. I haven't gone to their blog....had a hard day...but wanted to let you know I appreciated your words of advice. You sound very much like my husband...Bottom line orientated. I wish the institute had exact statistics of their previous students' successes. Thanks for visiting my blog and weighing in.

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  4. THE DASH!October 26, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    Hey there, Tom
    First up, thanks for commenting on my blog - I have only just starting having comments from the lone bloke, so to get another from you was just great :)

    I love iheartstrangers. His name is Josh and I was following him for the longest time.. it was an interesting concept.

    I also love your blog - you have some really interesting and pointed things to say.
    I am terribly hooked on this blogging deal lol and find it helps me enormously in my quest to get this 'job' done (the losing weight concept!!). Check in a see me again soon, and I will do the same with you
    Have a lovely day
    Cara

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  5. The Daily ConnoisseurOctober 26, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    I think every blog that is thoughtfully kept is a way of giving back. A good blog creates a forum for learning, sharing, thought... it can be the carrier of good energy and enlightenment. Kind of like yours! :)

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  6. AnonymousOctober 26, 2009 at 10:54 PM

    .... I don't know if I would want someone random to be taking pictures of me..

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  7. ValOctober 27, 2009 at 1:26 AM

    Hi Tom, thanks for commenting on my blog. Much appreciated as I am new to blogging and it's great to find someone else out there. I found the iheartstrangers blog some while ago and find it interesting in that something of the subjects' lives is revealed to the viewer, in addition to what can be deduced from the pic itself. I also like how Joshua photographs people of all ages and backgrounds. I believe that any means of discovering the similarities between people in distant countries (as well as our own) is worthwhile.

    I see from your blog that you are concerned about the whole issue of charity which, in one of its forms, the form of donor aid, is a topic of intense debate in Africa (Cape Town is my city).

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  8. ShadowOctober 27, 2009 at 1:48 AM

    i don't know... i believe a blog is a personal platform, for the owner to project, say or show the subject of their choice. is that giving back? probably to those with the same interests, yes.

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  9. Stephanie FarisOctober 27, 2009 at 4:37 AM

    I wouldn't think of that as giving back. Just entertaining other bloggers. Giving back to other bloggers, I think, is all in reading their blogs and commenting. To read someone else's hard work and leave feedback is the best gift you can give.

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  10. Dulçe ♥October 27, 2009 at 6:00 AM

    Giving back? Yes, to yourself while others enjoy your self as well...

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  11. UnknownOctober 27, 2009 at 8:25 AM

    The curiosity that we feel about a stranger's face is somewhat satisfied by finding out some of their personal story. In this digital age of a virtual online world I believe this does give back to all of us. It left me with the feeling of a small town community with "real" people. We all benefit from connection.

    BTW, thanks for visiting!

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography
    Blog of Note

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  12. Shanti Harvell October 27, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    Thank you Tom for commenting on my blog.. Nice to meet a fellow OC person! Love your blog! I do think this is both. As when we share a bit of ourselves, ideas, creativity, and soul then it is always giving back. To let someone know us, and be a part of a bigger picture, community, connection and being as one!
    Blissings Tom! :)

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  13. AnonymousOctober 27, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    Thank you for visiting my blog today. When you get time please visit my family's mission blog.


    http://afiveoh4uplifting.org

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  14. Jo Jo on the radioOctober 27, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    I LOVE IT! It often drives me crazy that there are so many people on this earth that I will not have the opportunity to meet and/or understand. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories so in my opinion iheartstrangers is a beautiful thing that I can take a lot away from.

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  15. Boozy ToothOctober 27, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    Hi Tom!

    Thanks so much for swinging by Casa Hice and leaving a comment. I'll tell you what, no matter how many times that happens, it always thrills and humbles me. You sorta caught me on a whiney self-pitying day though. Sometimes I'm actually interesting. Please come back sometime and I'll try to have something groovy for you.

    Off to check out iheartstrangers. Could it be as good as PeopleOfWalMart.com?

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  16. Sharon McPhersonOctober 27, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    Talking about bloggers giving ... I have presented you with an award. Come pick it up from my blog.

    iheartstrangers ... wow I was seriously impressed: the effort, the technical expertise, the dedication and working with people from all walks of life is no easy, yet his photographs are outstanding. Thanks for linking this site :)

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  17. Elizabeth BradleyOctober 27, 2009 at 2:43 PM

    I'm not saying this to offend anyone, but I don't understand the term "giving back".

    I think it's a great idea for a blog and I'm gonna go check it out.

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  18. GeosominOctober 27, 2009 at 2:45 PM

    I don't know about giving back, but I think it's a really interesting way of contributing. A lot of people don't take the time to do things they enjoy and that other people will get joy from. This is a nice way to do this...

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  19. SOOPRcowOctober 28, 2009 at 6:03 AM

    hhhmmmmmmmm

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  20. AnneOctober 28, 2009 at 1:24 PM

    I suppose he's giving back in that he's showcasing ordinary people and providing them a platform and a means of touching and being touched by others. It's definitely an interesting project, especially if these are complete strangers he must first convince to open up to him.

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  21. Tom BaileyOctober 28, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    Thank you for all the comments they were very, very helpful in forming my viewpoint. I really like the detailed thoughtful answers.

    I will be posting something new on Friday.

    Thanks again for your help!

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  22. a visualizing lurkerOctober 28, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    wow. i like that. amazing!

    btw, thanks for the comment :)

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  23. AnonymousOctober 29, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Hey, I was just thinking of starting a project photographing strangers.

    Thanks for visiting.

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  24. SPEAKING FROM THE CRIBOctober 29, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    hmmm. that's a good one. i've always said you're only as good as your word. so i guess that blogger proved to the rest of us that he/she is as good as their word. and i guess that gives us some hope that not everyone out there is an unreliable type. so in a sense, yes, i guess it is giving us something back. i like blogs that make me think a little :) found you from steph in the city

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  25. GiovannaOctober 29, 2009 at 10:45 AM

    Hey, thanks for commenting on my blog! I appreciate you took the time to visit it. About your post, well I think this person's blog is interesting, I don't know if I can label it as "giving back"; however, if his purpose is to put a smile on his readers' face or make their days with his posts, then blogging is worth it; perhaps that's his goal, I don't know.
    By the way, I checked out his blog and he has nice photos.
    Have a great day!
    Giovanna

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  26. PhoenixOctober 29, 2009 at 1:20 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I wouldn't say this is a way of giving back, per se, but it's certainly a way that this blogger tries to connect with others, which is exactly what blogging is all about :)

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