I like getting comments on my blog posts. It’s an ego thing.
Today, I got one from a fine individual named “Idetrorce.” He (for lack of clearer gender knowledge) replied to my post about the difference between fiction and travel writing with the comment
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
I innocently replied, but then I felt a little suspicious. I checked the reply for spam links, but there were none. There were no links at all, which seems odd to me. One of the primary reasons for commenting on other people’s blogs is to get them to link back to YOUR blog, so I searched to see if Idetrorce has a blog.
Nope, at least, not a normal blog. But I did find THIS. And I found him registered at a large number of forums and other blogs (apnea support, snowboarding, online money-making) having made the exact same comment.
So who are you, Idetrorce the Mystery Commenter? What is your goal? Are you out there trying to start debates? It’s an interesting theory! I find it somehow attractive – trying to start arguments without knowing anything about the subjects you are starting arguments about. It’s a bit like picking fights in a bar just because you have nothing better to do.
Or are you out there with the intention of making people like me, people with easily polished egos, feel like people who care are reading their blogs?
Or do you just want to leave your mark on the world? Say “Idetrorce was here?”
I don’t mind waving back at you. Hello, Idetrorce! Seen, acknowledged, and publicized. Now, return the favor!
Hi, I was the one who broke the story on Idetrorce after seeing his commenting spree early on. I’ve said this a lot in the last few days but I am still amazed how viral the Idetrorce thing got.
Don’t feel bad about replying thinking he or she was real. A lot of people did this hehe.
It was a good tactic! I learned right away that comments who said “I really like your blog!” were just spammers in disguise. But disagreeing with me? Sneaky. Except there’s no attached spam. Well, I suppose Idetrorce is getting a good laugh out of his/her minor fame. That’s just fine with me. As long as there are no viruses or prescription drugs involved. :p
[...] Siapapun dia, Idetrorce punya cara yang unik untuk menarik perhatian orang. Cara-cara yang konvensional untuk spamming adalah dengan bilang, “hey, nice sites! Thanks!” lalu sekonyong-konyong memberikan segambreng taut-taut yang tak berguna. Akismet dengan mudah akan mengenali komentar-komentar semacam ini sebagai spam dan tidak akan memuat komentar tersebut. Idetrorce caranya lain. Dia tidak memberikan taut apapun, dan justru memposisikan diri sebagai seseorang yang tidak setuju. Seolah-olah dia telah membaca post kita dengan seksama lalu memprovokasi kita untuk diskusi (Jujur, aku sempat terprovokasi untuk komentar balik). Laura yang senang menerima komentar pada blognya (persoalan ego katanya, sama seperti aku, hehehehe…) berkomentar bahwa sikap Idetrorce yang selalui tak setuju ini kayak orang ngajak berantem di bar karena dia lagi gak a…. [...]
Woo! Cool. Thanks for the ping, Monsieur Don Kontjreto de Djambrong. I’d reply to your own post about our good friend Idetrorce if only my Bahasa Indonesia was a little better.
Maybe one of these days I’ll translate it into English
Very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Sorry Anonymous… someone beat you to the punch. :p