I keep a blog. And my blog takes the time to identify spam comments and drops them into a spam folder for me. I don’t know how my blog does this, but I do appreciate her efforts nonetheless.
But I never just blindly delete all of the spam folder’s contents. Quite the contrary, in fact. I let them collect until I’ve had a particularly unpleasant day. Then, and only then, will I treat myself to its contents.
The feeling I get from reading my spam comments is akin to the feeling I have when receiving a love letter from a secret admirer (I only ever had one, and he wasn’t really my type, and it wasn’t really a secret since my whole grade eight class knew … but still).
It’s such a sweet emotion. To have someone pick you out especially and decide that you are special, that you are worthy.
And that’s why my spam comments are so cherished. These are carefully crafted messages from strangers who took the time out of their busy day to write me a little note. Here are but two examples:
“This is a good approach to what, for some, may be a controversial topic. Very well thought out post.”
– received in response to my positive review of a popular child’s toy
“I agree! Just marvelous! Your writing manner is pleasing and the way you treated the subject with grace is commendable. I am intrigued, I presume you are an master on this subject. I am signing up for your upcoming updates from now on.”
– received in response to a ticket giveaway announcement for a Disney on Ice show
“Your video is great! So is the concept with song! Thank you, Michael! LOVE”
– okay, so my name’s not Michael, but it was probably just a little typo
So please don’t be so quick to dismiss spammers as “robots.” Clearly, these are highly attuned humans who appreciate me for being a brilliant writer who they can turn to in their time of need.
Besides, a girl just needs a love letter every now and then. Is that so wrong?
Photo Credit
“Love bug nestled in a tin of spam” dogbomb @ flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.
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Rarely do I find such insightful commentry on this topic. You have obvoiusly spent quite an amount of time researching this issue and I am delighted to have read it. It will be my pleasure to read further posts on this matter at some point in the future. By the way I evol you. (;
Also, spam is much less creepy than real live strangers sending love letters. I once got a reply to an article via my editor that was all but a proposal for marriage. I’d rather be adored by robots than stalked by humans.