If you're down and hip with all the cool blogs, I'm sure you've heard about Emily Gould's ridiculously long essay in The New York Times Magazine. I'm sure you've heard what everyone else thinks about it, what everyone else hates about it and why there are plenty of people out there who just don't like the girl. However, I'm wondering how many people have actually stopped to read Emily's "Exposed" essay, instead of just reading what everyone else has to say about it. I think if you actually stop, and take the time to read what she has to say, you'll be amazed by her honesty.
There are a lot of high profile bloggers out there, but I think it's rare that bloggers, especially women bloggers who aren't mothers, are featured in mainstream media. While it seems the theme of her essay is "oversharing", I agree with Violet Blue who points out that: "My deep concern is that it'll foster attitudes that "men blog; women overshare". Know what I mean?"
While everyone appears to have really harsh criticisms of Emily, it seems that it's beacuse they have worked for Gawker at one point or another, or know people who know what she's *really* like. Or, they think that there are bigger, more important problems in the world that they should be caring about, and don't even give a shit about "wtf gawker even is". Granted, I've never met Emily and didn't even know who she was before her cover story in New York Magazine - but I feel like this is a very relevant story.
When you try to imagine the "bigger picture", I can understand why people don't see how bloggers and their personal stories are as important as the presidential election or the fact that the economy is absolute shit at the moment. But they are important. They are a huge part of our culture, and our future culture. There are a lot of bloggers, and a lot of female bloggers out there who still have one hell of a time getting people to take them seriously, or even understand what the hell it is we even do. So, having a fellow female blogger tell her story in a ten page essay in New York Magazine, complete with the cover shot, it's a big deal.
Does it suck that a lot of the interest surrounding her story had to do with "over-sharing", narcissism and her ex boyfriends? Yes. But I think at the heart of Emil's story is a really raw, honest account of what it's like to be a successful blogger. They make mistakes. They fuck up. They offend people, They piss off our boyfriends. And, some times, they make a complete twat out of themselves on live television.
So, with that, I ask you before decide that Emily Gould is a self obsessed narcissist blogger...just take the time to actually read her essay. Then judge. Okay?