Blogging gone wild

While blogs offer writers a viable avenue to let others know what they think and feel, they also have their darker side.

In an essay in Sunday's New York Times magazine, writer Emily Gould talks about how blogging can open a window to one's personal life that can be hard to shut. Although her personal blog earned her a shot at writing for the popular Gawker site, she later found that blogging about her own life -- and writing gossip about the lives of others -- soon made her the target.

Everyone seemingly wants to be heard, but sometimes the response can be unkind. In a simpler age, people would have to actually take the time to write letters to the editor or talk to someone over the phone. However, in today's Internet world, hurtful comments can be delivered quickly and anonymously.

I don't know much about Gould, but she appears to be a lightning rod for online blogs and comments. When I searched for her photo, I found that this story itself put her further in the crosshairs -- although her detractors say she has earned it.

Either way, it's sad.