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January 27, 2007
No one owns the watercooler
Jason Kottke is a super-popular blogger, but he doesn't allow readers to comment on his posts.
So an industrious reader named Ben Brown built a site that sucks in Kottke's RSS feed and creates a forum for comments.
What does Kottke think of it? He linked to the new blog with nary a comment.
[Thanks for the heads up, Shelley.]
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Ben Brown and Jason Kottke are part of the original, old school, last century A-list. I'm pretty sure the left hand knew what the right hand was doing before the public at large did.
But the point still stands: we'll talk about you, no matter what.
I'm not exactly sure which side of the line you're standing on here, but last I checked, Kottke.org was owned by Jason Kottke, therefore giving him the right to do whatever he wants with the site. Ben Brown is essentially leeching off Jason's content. Jason linked back to him to play the game, but there is nothing in the rulebook that says he has to say a damn thing. If he chooses not to accept comments, that's his perogative.
Dave,
People can do whatever they want with their blogs. I am not making a judgement on Jason.
My commentary is about this idea that if you don't want to talk with your readers, your readers now have the ability (with the help of a little technology) to get together and talk about you....without you.
Jackie, I find it surprising that you didn't mention that this kottkekomments.com requires registration through TypeKey, albeit a free registration...
The watercooler may not be owned, but it still has a lock.
