October 15, 2006

Bloggy Life Question 25 — Would You Blog as the Opposite Sex?

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:04 pm

Mr. um, I mean Ms. er, Sir, Ma’am?

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life question. . .


You’ve been approached by a well-financed enterprised to blog for them on a high-end blog, called Views. The blogging team will be you and one other person, someone of the opposite sex. Each of you will be paid US$60,000/year to post at least six times a week about your opinions on any topic– from music to arithmetic.

The blog will be launched with a massive media blitz, and you’ll have access to the resources of an entire media library for photos and content.

The catch? Each of you must blog under the guise of a member of the opposite sex — in other words, you’d be switching roles — and your contract binds you to keep your true identity secret.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Bloggy Life Question 24 — Hello, Blogger, I’m Her Parent!
Bloggy Question 23 — Would You Live Blog the Wedding?
Bloggy Question 20 — A Significant Other Says “No Blog”
Bloggy Question 19 — A Blogging Life of Fiction


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80 Comments to “Bloggy Life Question 25 — Would You Blog as the Opposite Sex?”

  1. October 15th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
    Martin said

    I’d say were do I sign and let the games begin. ;)

  2. October 15th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
    ME Strauss said

    It does sound a bit like fun, doesn’t it, Norelle?

  3. October 15th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
    Martin said

    Yeah it does, Bruce.

  4. October 15th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
    ME Strauss said

    How did I know you were going to say that?

    So what is your view on the footies this year, Norelle? :)

  5. October 15th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
    Martin said

    You knew because it’s The Bruce & Norelle Show.

    Now Bruce … I’m not really that interested in the footie, unless by footie you’re talking about pedicures … Now, the secret to a good …

  6. October 15th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh here we go, this is harder to do than folk might think it is. . . .

    What not shoes???

  7. October 15th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
    Martin said

    It’s not that hard Liz Bruce - just go with the most basic sterotypes and be creative, have some fun - sheesh, do I gotta tell you men everything.

  8. October 15th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Yes, dear.

  9. October 15th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
    Martin said

    BTW, that “Liz” should have had a line through it - just so we don’t scare readers away.

  10. October 15th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey, that’s right. I think you just blew my 60K contract in like 10 minutes flat. Darn.

  11. October 15th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
    Martin said

    Damn right it’s “Yes, dear”.

    Yep, that didn’t last long - do we get to keep some of the 60K? I want to go shopping … saw these new pair of shoes and …

  12. October 15th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Well, I suppose, you floosie, you get to keep on going with the gig. No one knows who you are.

  13. October 15th, 2006 at 8:21 pm
    Martin said

    Bruce … that’s very sexist of you to say that. I thought we were past those days (insert a few nag lines here, and here and … here).

    You wouldn’t want us to start burning our bras again? (Ah man, now I’m confused - can I be Bruce for a sec and say “Burn the Bra! Burn the Bra!)

  14. October 15th, 2006 at 8:23 pm
    ME Strauss said

    You’re not fooling me. I know what you’re doing. You’re aiming for the whole $120K. I got you’re number, Charlie.

  15. October 15th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
    Norelle said

    Charlie’s my middle name. And yep, you got me. I can switch it on and off just like that. Who needs men!

  16. October 15th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Norelle,
    You’re way too clever!

  17. October 15th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
    Norelle said

    Sorry Bruce, you’re out of the picture. I’ve taken over both contracts and merged them together … I am Woman, Hear me Roar!

  18. October 15th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Could I have both of your autographs.

  19. October 15th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
    Norelle said

    Sorry, I’ve lost the art of handwriting ever since this computer thingy came about.

    BTW, does that mean I have to pay double to get into Chartreuse’s new hangout?

  20. October 15th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Did you get in? I think that means you have to take the quiz twice and get two passwords for sure.

  21. October 15th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
    Caryn said

    That’s a tough one. Since it would be a more personal blog, I think that would make the entries more challenging, because voice would be so important, and men & women often have different voices. Plus, if you can’t reveal your identity then you can’t use it as a reference if something better (i.e. where the blogger has more freedom) comes along. Yes, tempting as it is, I think I would probably have to turn the offer down.

  22. October 15th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
    Martin said

    Nah, I must be one of the 90% and I’m too lazy to study for the quiz.

    Goodnight Norelle/Charlie/Bruce - take a bow.

    We’re scaring away any potential readers/commenters and I’m starting to feel like a character out of Hemingway’s “Garden of Eden”.

  23. October 15th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
    Mike said

    I don’t want to interrupt you two girly-guys, but my answer would be:

    Yes.

    And I’d take all the insults now that my blog posts tells you how to deal with ‘em.

    And I’d do product placement, which I’ll deal with tomorrow nite around 6 PM CST, USA.

    Yes, those are hints.

  24. October 15th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Caryn,
    Just with the playing we were doing right there I was finding very hard to figure ou exactly what to say. Maybe if I hung around with guys more, it would be different for me. Or maybe if no one knew, I wouldn’t feel self-conscious.

    But I think you’re on to something about the voices being different. I’d love to think I could try it — but there would also be that conflict of screwing with the readers. I don’t like that either.

  25. October 15th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Good night Martin and the gang!
    It was nice trying out the new blog with you. Enjoy the cash American!

  26. October 15th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
    Martin said

    Spot on - if no one knew you’d be less self-conscious, but I’d ask for more money as you really have to be on the ball.

    And you found it hard! Is it a good or bad thing that I actually found it easy?

  27. October 15th, 2006 at 9:16 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Maybe it’s easier for a guy to fake being a woman than the other way around. :)

  28. October 15th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
    Martin said

    Maybe it’s also because we’re always thinking about women.

    Well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it. :)

  29. October 15th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
    ME Strauss said

    And here I thought it was because, we just couldn’t get that base . . . er basic. Yeah, that’s what I meant, basic. :)

  30. October 15th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
    Martin said

    I know what what you meant… give us more credit than that or … Nahrr:

    That’s just our basic instincts - “I am Man, Hear me Roar”.

  31. October 15th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
    Martin said

    It’s Monday. It’s midday. It’s sunny out. I’m outta here.

    I don’t know, but for some unknown reason I have this desire to hire out the film “Basic Instinct”.

    arrivederci fellow thespians

  32. October 15th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
    ME Strauss said

    You get plenty of credit, I think. :)
    Roar away oh great lions!

  33. October 15th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Go think up your Blog Column, you’re going to have to write it sooner than you know . . . Good night, Martin!

  34. October 15th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
    DOLL said

    Count me in. You know who I am?

  35. October 15th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Yes, DOLL, I know who you are. You’re in. Could you share some of the money? :)

  36. October 16th, 2006 at 2:14 am
    Vincent said

    My immediate reaction was to go for it, the money was good, exploring my feminine side is good. However I don’t think I could watch and blog on chick flicks and TV shows (Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, the Glimore Girls).

  37. October 16th, 2006 at 2:43 am
    Renée said

    At a first glance, I say no. But after doing the math, it’s 192.30 per post. That’s another ball game here. All I need is hang around with guys more. Get personal. Get into their pants heads, if the subject matter calls for it. It’s a win-win situation……Oh bummer, I can’t I forget I’m already into one pants. Maybe, next life. ;-)

  38. October 16th, 2006 at 5:40 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Vincent,
    When I wrote the situation, I wrote attempting to put in convflict for myself about how I would answer. My first response was like yours, I would go for it and consider it an adventure.

    Then I started to realize what it would cost in personal investment and how it would rub against my natural need to be forthright with people. That’s when I wasn’t so sure that I could do it.

    By the way, if watching chick flicks and TV shows (Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, the Glimore Girls), is the criteria for any job, I’m not the candidate either. :)

  39. October 16th, 2006 at 5:51 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey, Renée, I am so laughing at your comment. I made the money just high enough that it would be enticing, after six posts a week is hardly a full=time job, unless you’re commenting back every minute.

    Then I started thinking about what you wrote and now I’m laughing about this . . . Let’s say you took the position (*giggle*) to blog as a guy for the new VIew Blog. Then you started hanging with guys to *get personal, * let’s say you were single and you did get in their pants. Would that make you a straight woman in the 3-D world, but a gay man on the blog?

  40. October 16th, 2006 at 6:46 am
    katiebird said

    I’d like to think I could do it, but I don’t think I could. Writing as myself is difficult enough, channelling my brother everyday would be too much for me, I think.

    And (going back to our virtual community honesty conversation) what about comments. All the chit-chat would have to be in the false-voice also?

    And (if the switch is a secret) what, exactly is the point? Why would the writers be asked to do this? The bloggers are keeping the whole deal a secret. But will it be revealed later?

  41. October 16th, 2006 at 6:50 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Katied,
    Well, yes all of the chitchat in the comments would have to be in character too. I guess the reason for the secret is some sort of an experiment. Maybe the backers want to come out with a big splash at the point at which the blog starts its final decline in order to revive it.

    Who knows? I just make these things up. :)

  42. October 16th, 2006 at 6:57 am
    katiebird said

    (Good Morning Liz!)

    Ah, you just make these things up? I knew it sounded too interesting. I guess now there’s no point in wondering if my favorite blogger has switched genders on me?

  43. October 16th, 2006 at 7:01 am
    ME Strauss said

    Good morning, Katie!
    It’s hard too — making up good ones, finding a conflict that doesn’t sound hokey that will get folks of all kinds interested.

    I’m not planning to blog as a guy, nor am I planning to become one. End of story. :)

  44. October 16th, 2006 at 7:06 am
    katiebird said

    And that raises another question. Would they post photos — only switch the labels?

    It’s so complicated…

  45. October 16th, 2006 at 7:09 am
    ME Strauss said

    That’s a good question, because then you’re getting into the realm of outright lying.

    As the producer of the show, I’d change the title to “Inside Their Heads” and say it wasn’t in keeping to show how they look, because the blog is about how they think. ;)

  46. October 16th, 2006 at 8:12 am
    Sabine said

    LOL, Liz and Martin (aka Bruce and Norelle)!

    That is a tough question — take the money and run, or as Caryn says, think about the long term.

    Well, I used to know a ghost writer who made big bucks. So I guess his long-term was fine, even though he couldn’t admit in public which books he wrote.

    If it’s ok for books (although it always bugs me when I find out that a book was ghost-written) should it be ok for blogs?

    Not to mention the whole question of could I write as a guy?

  47. October 16th, 2006 at 8:15 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Sabine,
    I love to hear we made you laugh!
    Yeah, those last two questions are the ones that stop me too. I need the money, but could I do it. I think my gut woulc say “no.”

  48. October 16th, 2006 at 9:07 am
    Whimspiration said

    It sounds like a huge lot of fun, but I wouldn’t be able to keep my trap shut. *laugh* Everyone I know (and some I don’t)know I’m a secret shopper. I’d be kicked from the contract in days.

    But I’d definitely give it a try. Sounds like a fun adventure.

  49. October 16th, 2006 at 9:09 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Whims,
    The problem that seems to keep coming out is that most of us bloggers don’t believe we can put our personalities in the backseat long enough to make it work. :)

  50. October 16th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
    Marti said

    Oh gawd yes, I think that’d be a hoot! Wait, a guy would probably say, “Hell yeah!” (then scratch the groin)
    *giggle*
    Dang, guys don’t giggle….I’m gonna have to work on this…

  51. October 16th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
    ME Strauss said

    I think we all need to go out drinking to practice. :)

  52. October 16th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
    Scorpia said

    No. Keep the money. Sounds like fun, eh?

    There’s also trust. No way I could trust anyone pulling a trick like that. Even if “just for fun”.

    We can’t see each other online, All we have to go by is the written word. If you’re faking one part of yourself (gender, in this case), you may just as well be faking the rest. There’s no way anyone could tell otherwise.

    Integrity is too important to comprise. Online or off.

  53. October 16th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Scorpia,
    Much as I need the cash, I end up where you are over and over.

  54. October 16th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
    katiebird said

    Scorpia, yes. The trust. If there’s a blogger’s code, this assignment goes against everything it stands for.

  55. October 16th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Katie,
    That Blogger’s Code of Ethics is very cool. Thanks for leaving the link here. :)

  56. October 16th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
    katiebird said

    It was a lucky find. I’d already typed the phrase and then thought — you can’t just make something up as if it really exists.

    Well I could — but then I’d have to define it. Which seemed a little out of the scope of a comment.

    Since there’s nothing worse than backing out of a comment, I was very glad to find someone who had a Blogger’s Code all typed out for me.

    And I thought it was a good start. It’s a little heavy on the journalism perspective. But that’s addressed in the comments.

    And it’s just one guy’s idea….

  57. October 16th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
    ME Strauss said

    well, Katie, I think thats probably how some of the most famous news stories have gotten their start. At least that’s what I bet. :)

  58. October 16th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
    Scorpia said

    Gosh, and I misspelled “compromise” back there. How embarrassing.

    Anyway, I just looked over that “code of ethics”. The guy does come on pretty strong and I see he raised a few backs with it.

    The most important things to me are honesty and fairness. Bias is impossible to avoid, but it can be balanced.

    There is so much misinformation and disinformation on the net, sometimes getting to the truth is difficult. Outright falsity only makes things worse.

  59. October 16th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
    ME Strauss said

    I’ve been tricked in that way, and I agree. It’s an ugly and mean thing to do. It’s easy to play around with the idea, but it’s not a game when real people enter the picture.

  60. October 16th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
    katiebird said

    Liz, What you say about some of the most famous stories reminds me of all the times people get tricked by stories that start at The Onion. Even the news services have been fooled on occasion.

    Scorpia, it was an interesting set of comments, I thought.

  61. October 16th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh, you can’t get me to say a bad word about the Onion. I love them. They’re all over Chicago. :)

    Now the rumors on http://www.snopes.com
    they make me a little crazy.

  62. October 16th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
    katiebird said

    Oh, I didn’t mean to say anything bad about them. I just think it’s funny when a news service passes along one of their stories because they were too lazy to research it for themselves.

    I think they’re very funny.

  63. October 16th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh THAT! I love it when news media don’t pay attention and latch onto an Onion story as if it’s real. Now you’ve got think about another one of my favorites. I’m going to have bring it over here this weekend . . . It’s so funny.

  64. October 16th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
    Renée said

    Hi Liz,

    Would that make you a straight woman in the 3-D world, but a gay man on the blog?

    Sorry for the delay… timezone thing! Here’s my answer.

    There’s this book “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man” by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman.

    Put a little twist on the blog’s tagline, it might just work. Gay men are more attune to their feminie side yet function (mentally) like any men in a straight (majority) society.

    Two for the price of one….Gay man’s POV. Best of all, I don’t need to change my name. Just René! ;-)

  65. October 16th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Renée!
    I love how you think! You are charming and mathematical at the same time. It’s lovely. I can hear your voice when you talk. :)

  66. October 16th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
    Scorpia said

    Ah, Snopes. Been reading that site for quite awhile now. Great place for debunking any number of rumors, myths, urban legends and such. Anytime you get an email with a rumor, check there first.

  67. October 16th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Yeah, I’ve been reading Snopes for years too. It’s a hoot if you’re looking for something weird to write about. It’s strange what some people will believe.

  68. October 16th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
    Jessica Doyle said

    I would write the way I write if i signed that contract for 60K. I am still the same person whether I write by a masculine pseudonym or not, that is all I know.

    Liz? are you da man? ;)

    he he

  69. October 16th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Am I da man? I’m not sure I’d pass on that one, but don’t you dare say that I throw like a girl!!

  70. October 16th, 2006 at 9:43 pm
    Jessica Doyle said

    LOL- liz he he he.

    My boyfriend is teased everyday humourously at work because they (all the men) say he throws like a woman. He works as a carpeneter doing framing for various sized apartment complexes and townhouses. I’ve been bugging him to get the video one of them shot when they were all throwing like woman on the construction site one day poking fun at his throwing.

  71. October 16th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Canada’s silliest construction site videos — film at 11 tonight only on YouTube!!!

  72. October 17th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
      Would You Blog as the Opposite Sex? by Blogging Pro said

    [...] Liz asks a very interesting question on Successful Blog, and I can’t help but take a stab at it. You’ve been approached by a well-financed enterprised to blog for them on a high-end blog, called Views. The blogging team will be you and one other person, someone of the opposite sex. Each of you will be paid US$60,000/year to post at least six times a week about your opinions on any topic– from music to arithmetic. [...]

  73. October 17th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
    April said

    Would I blog as a man? Hell yeah, for 60,000 on any topic. No problemo.

  74. October 17th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey April,
    Welcome.
    Yeah 60K is pretty tempting. :)

  75. October 17th, 2006 at 11:56 pm
    whoa said

    60k a year could probably let you show yourself on blogging conferences… i mean if you really care for your work here you could always change your appearance via cosmetic surgery… you would still be yourself, but now others would perceive you as that blogger.

  76. October 18th, 2006 at 5:07 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Whoa!
    Are you saying that you would have plastic surgery to change your appearance for a 60K/year blogging job?

    No way. No knife to my face for a blog. Thank you very much. :)

  77. October 18th, 2006 at 6:47 am
    whoa said

    no, i’m just saying that if it’s about going to conventions to get recognition as this person then some alterations (minimal) could be the answer for those who want recognition.
    Me? Naah, I am one of those who prefer to remain unknown (kinda shy), so if i would accept and remain … errr … unseen, lol.

  78. October 18th, 2006 at 7:02 am
    ME Strauss said

    Oh OK, Whoa!

    Glad to hear you’re safe. :)

  79. October 22nd, 2006 at 6:10 pm
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  80. November 5th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
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