Wow, finally the type of controversy ‘Ironic Blog’ has been looking for. I’m sure by now you’ve all checked one of your online media sources and come across this controversial battle between a 22 year old woman and a blog/social media influencer hating, hotel in Dublin. If not, here’s one of a thousand links to their battle: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Irish-Hotel-Publicly-Shames-Social-Media-12510477.php

 

I’ll let you do your own digging and make your own opinions, but I was struck by the typical over-reactionary type of comments that either praise or further bash this young lady. There is no middle ground, so allow me to take that stance:

 

I’ll take the bold stand and say they both have legit arguments to make here, and both their responses were childish and accomplished nothing but promotion for each other. It’s worth delving into the hotel’s FB page’s slew of malicious comments, and our young lady’s 17 MINUTE video (wow!) but if that’s out of your attention span, allow me to sum up what was right and wrong about them both.

 

HER

RIGHT: Proposed a business offer via e-mail to exchange her posts, videos, and promotion in exchange for a free stay in the hotel.

WRONG: Poorly worded request, badly pitched and research not properly done. Had she taken the time to dig around their social media pages, she’d have noticed they have more followers than her and rather than merely reaching out to collaborate, she came off as entitled, no matter what her intentions may have been.

 

RIGHT: Pursuing her dreams and making a living doing something she loves every day. Strong stance against bullying and gives it back to those meanies who roasted her to the rest of the world.

WRONG: Calling out all the haters who are 30+ or stuck in meaningless 9 to 5 jobs. She’s trying to take a positive stance against trolling, haters, bullies, etc. but very specifically draws a connection to anyone over the age of 30 that doesn’t understand the ‘legit business,’ of blogging or ‘social media influencing.’ Damn girl, I’m in that category. What did I ever do to you? The hotel owners are TOOLS, no doubt, but again, try not to generalize or old farts like me will never understand your feelings.

THE HOTEL OWNER

RIGHT: Absolutely their prerogatives to reject her offer – not worth their financial benefit for her level of social influence

WRONG: Every way they went about it. All they had to do was respond privately to her e-mail, even be snarky back if you want, but it’s kept private and she knows your contempt toward bloggers and will leave you alone. Blasting out her e-mail with your asshole comments in order to boost your own ‘negative press,’ to bring yourself more traffic…shame on you, you greedy deuchbag, and shame on all you trolls for following suit and making a young woman cry!

In brief, this is stupid and shouldn’t be news at all. I feel dumber having wasted my and your time debating about it. Yet, it is sadly a conversation society needs to address moving forward. My take, which is merely my meaningless opinion, and is undoubtedly wrong on many accounts, is this:

 

Bloggers are here to stay (hello, look how well I’m doing!) and both they and the general public need to acknowledge there are varying degrees of successes and failures out there. If you think 80,000 followers is a lot, your opinions make a difference in other people’s lives and you’ve found purpose and meaning for yourself, then bravo, keep at it, but also be aware when you look entitled, arrogant, or cocky by parading all the glamorous aspects of your life publicly. Also, it’s all relative, at what point are you a ‘big deal?’ 1,000 or 1,000,000 followers?  The answer is never, stay humble.

 

Haters gonna hate, trolls gonna troll. It’s sad, but also, here to stay. Fortunately, these morons still have failed to grasp that everything they say and do online is also 100% public. If people need to find happiness online by saying something mean, or funny (or both) about a complete stranger, then Jesus, get a life! For anyone posting or influencing online, you’re trying to make a living out of getting strangers to like you, your interests, your opinions, etc. then accept the necessary backlash of people that hate or resent what you do as well. Remember, like your yin of friends and followers, they’re your yang of enemies or haters…and no matter what you post, or how personal you get, they don’t really know you, so don’t take it so personally.

Overall, we’re all wading into uncharted water of the future. Technology and society is changing, and as we all get more connected and less private, a new code of ethics and morality (with no blueprint) is forming. General rule of thumb, don’t be a dick, no matter who you are and maybe spend a little more ‘me time,’ reflecting on your own choices and actions rather than hating or complaining about others.