Comments on: Looking At A Dead Guy’s Online Life

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:11:18 +0000

Ya I was going to say- when I read that on your blog I was thinking, omg what if somebody took over your blog? How would it feel to take over a dead person’s blog?

By: Suburban Sweetheart

Suburban Sweetheart — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:08:34 +0000

My ex-boyfriend passed away four & a half years ago & I still sometimes read & comment on his Xanga journal. It’s both eerie & a relief, to be able to read his own words from happier times, before he got sick, to remember who he was & how he “sounded.” I’m pretty OK with my blog staying up, untouched, if I should die (though ironically, I blogged differently this afternoon!) so that others can do the same – come back, I hope, to be comforted by my “voice” & memories of me. Part of the beauty of being a writer, especially in the Internet age, is that your words have a life of their own – in some cases, a life longer than your own.

Nice post, Patrick.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:35:27 +0000

huge online party? How would we do the stanky legg for you? I’d rather not pour one out over my laptop…

By: Maxie

Maxie — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:57:29 +0000

y’all better have a hug online party for me when i croak. that’s all.

By: Metblogs Round-Up: 5-11-09 | The Definitive Dmbosstone

Metblogs Round-Up: 5-11-09 | The Definitive Dmbosstone — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:53:54 +0000

[...] Last week Metblogs lost a former author, writing the post made me think about what would happen to our online lives if we died. [...]

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:02:58 +0000

Our online lives are as complicated as our real ones- I applaud you for being able to round everything up like that…

By: Washington "I Dream of Ghosts Like Lincoln" Cube

Washington "I Dream of Ghosts Like Lincoln" Cube — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:33:46 +0000

I’ve actually shown someone where I keep my various online identities and passwords so if I “do” die, they can go to the source and deal with all of it…thinking ahead. The bizzare thing is, I think I have “everything” rounded up, then something new pops up…Don’t I have a Flickr account? How many gmail names? It’s appalling how much there is.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:00:37 +0000

Cyndy that’s a real interesting way to think about it- I was nervous writing this post but I realize these are real thoughts I had after respecting a writer that’s passed away. I feel that it’s a topic that becomes more relevant in today’s world.

By: Cyndy

Cyndy — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:35:45 +0000

This is an interesting topic. I feel very sorry for his family and friends to have lost him at such a young age. I wonder how it must feel for them to know that a part of him is just as alive as ever out on the internet, via his posts and photography. Is it comforting to them? It might not be just yet.

A few of my friends have passed away in recent years and I’ve mentioned them by name on my blog. I remember feeling a little angry when I’d get hits from someone searching their name right after they’d died, but I was probably just dealing with my own personal grief.

These days when someone visits my blog via a search for one of them, I’ve noticed that I feel comforted and a little bit pleased to know that there are still other people out there thinking about them too. For me that is one of the very beautiful things about the internet in general, and blogging in particular.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:18:12 +0000

I’m sorry Katie, I don’t mean to be a creep. I do hope you liked the last lecture. I watched it on an airplane ride and it was very touching.