Comments on: The Downside Of Transparency

By: Monica O'Brien

Monica O'Brien — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:35:33 +0000

But don’t we love to watch those train wrecks. The question is, do you want to sell out as a train wreck for more subscribers/traffic/etc?

By: Lela

Lela — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:03:16 +0000

Hi Carlos,
Thanks for following on Twitter. Otherwise I never would have found this post, which has sparked a great dialogue. I’m especially interested in this right now as I’m trying to define how to use my social media outlets (especially Facebook). This discussion has helped. I think it’s so important to have a clearly defined goal for everything you’re putting out there. Great blog. I’ll back.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:09:50 +0000

That I can agree with…as I watch The Soup on E and see stuff about the pregnant Playboy bunny and Jon & Kate’s guy’s new girlfriend in drunken “without pants” video. Do you think she realized she’d be THAT transparent when she was on camera phone?!

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:00:06 +0000

She tells you just what you need to know for you to get her message. Not additional info to scandalize people.

In that respect, AMEN. I agree completely and you said what has bothered me about this sort of transparency far better than I could.

By: Carlos Miceli

Carlos Miceli — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:55:09 +0000

The line is drawn in the way you use your “transparency”. I don’t agree with being controversial for the sake of it, with consciously being a “reality show”, like you well put it. Mainly, when you give (what I consider) harmful advice under your transparency label.
Maybe you’re right though, maybe since I like Holly more I’m not being objective. But nevertheless, she has always been “conservatively” transparent. She tells you just what you need to know for you to get her message. Not additional info to scandalize people.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:29 +0000

Elisa – I would venture to say that a lot of people don’t actually enjoy Penelope’s posts because they are uplifting, but more because she’s like that reality show you watch because it’s so ridiculous. You watch just to be able to go, “OMG, SERIOUSLY!? That’s insane. Who does that!?”

I’m pretty sure the same applies to Penelope… you want to look away, but jesus, you just can’t.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Follow up: Why do you agree with Holly Hoffman’s amount of transparency, but not Penelope Trunk’s?

Is it because you like Holly more? Or, you feel like you know her more, she’s more accessible? I don’t understand how anyone can draw a line with transparency, since it’s all a matter of taste.

Where do you draw the line?

By: Carlos Miceli

Carlos Miceli — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:23:04 +0000

Justin, what about me? There’s now way anyway could possibly know what’s going on in my personal life, but I’m being as transparent as I can be. I’m sticking with my statement, it’s just about not lying.

If you want to make friends, you can, it’s ok to share everything you want. Besides, there are many ways to take a relationship outside the blogosphere or Twitter and be honest and connect in a personal level. I know I have with many readers and followers.

Again, it’s all about your goals. Do you want friends or just talk to feel better, then there are no rules. But you can be transparent without ever being personal. Keep it straight, and you’re on your way.

By: Carlos Miceli

Carlos Miceli — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:16:56 +0000

Thanks for the kind words Ryan. That’s a great quote, thank you for sharing.

Whatever the reason for your transparency is, you’re still talking about you. It’s all about your goals. There’s nothing wrong with talking about you, just know that results may change.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:15:06 +0000

I am so excited to discover more and more than I am not the only person in the blogosphere that does not enjoy Penelope Trunk’s posts. I keep trying to like them cause everyone else seems to be so interested, but truthfully I don’t care what 21 year old she is hooking up with or how her children are growing up “understanding” that they occasionally might not have electricity. Throw in her emulation of women “as leaders” based on her these frivolous agendas and I really have lost most of the shreds of respect I had.