Jessa, Ben and Their Brood: Making a (Diaper) Mountain out of a Mold House

[GEML]

I find it odd that they have x thousand followers but only follow 15 people (or so) on Twitter. That means it's about getting a message out. Not engaging.

[Churchhoney]

I find it odd that they have x thousand followers but only follow 15 people (or so) on Twitter. That means it's about getting a message out. Not engaging.

 

Nice metaphor for the overall Duggar lifestyle and philosophy, I'd say.

[Bella]

I find it odd that they have x thousand followers but only follow 15 people (or so) on Twitter. That means it's about getting a message out. Not engaging.

 

I find it consistent with everything I know about these people. They are not open to the outside world, they lack curiosity, they think they have all the answers, and they don't care about anyone other than themselves.

[yogi2014L]

I am in awe (and not in a god way) that People can manage to crap out a 297-word article that basically says "Jessa posted a photo on instagram". 

Seriously! The headline was misleading as hell too , I thought she had the baby and was like OOHHHH SCANDAL knocked up before marriage 

but no, its a stupid ultrasound picture.

I dont get the posting of ultrasounds. Nobody cares unless you are directly involved in making the child or made the parents of said child!

Edited June 11, 2015 by yogi2014L

[trimthatfat]

I don't think it's weird Jessa only follows a handful of people. Most public figures only follow those they actually know. That makes it less likely to follow someone who posts problematic items on social media.

 

I hope Jessa's pregnancy is going well.

[graefin]

I find it consistent with everything I know about these people. They are not open to the outside world, they lack curiosity, they think they have all the answers, and they don't care about anyone other than themselves.

I want to "like" this 500 times. It's brilliant in its simplicity.

[humbleopinion]

People Magazine can do a 5 page pictorial of a celebrity fart.

A very special fart.

[GEML]

I don't know anyone else on Twitter that only follows 15-20 people. Almost no one's world is THAT small, or else they have no use for Twitter as a means of communication. (If you communicate by seeing most of your friends and family, for instance.)

Social media is a tool for them to tell us things, but I've always been skeptical that they read any media whatsoever. Even about themselves. The family is astonishingly non-curious.

[CherryMalotte]

Bella, you and I are sharing a brain.  I was just thinking that the other day and remarked to the Mini Malotte that it's so sad that Jessa, as well as her siblings, lack curiosity.  In their world they already think they know it all, there's nothing else out there.  It was probably very easy for her to help homeschool the younger kids if the numbers start at one and end at ten.  

 

I can't say what her stress levels are - but no matter how else I feel about her I do hope she has a uneventful pregnancy.

Edited June 11, 2015 by CherryMalotte

[BitterApple]

I find it consistent with everything I know about these people. They are not open to the outside world, they lack curiosity, they think they have all the answers, and they don't care about anyone other than themselves.

It's all about me, me, Me! I have no interest in getting to know you, but hey, can you spring for that thousand dollar MacBook on my wedding registry? 'kay thanks!

[poopchute]

Do any of the Duggars have friends? I'm wondering who they would follow or interact with on social media. What a sad life, to basically have zero friends. I mean real friends not Facebook "friends." They didn't go to high school or college and they don't work. I'm thinking that if I eliminated all those things from my life I guess I wouldn't have anyone to talk to either.

[bluebonnet]

Public people aren't really using their social media accounts in the same way most people do.  It's all about branding.  They are very conscious of what they put on there and who they follow, especially who they follow.  The media has the most ridiculous articles sometimes about who is following whom on twitter.  I remember seeing a cover story in the grocery checkout about how Jessa stopped following Jill on twitter and how this must mean they were feuding, and I think there was even speculation that it was because Jessa had an affair with Derrick or some such nonsense.  And really, social media is hardly ever an honest reflection of anyone.  But that's even more true for public persons.  

 

That's not to say that Jessa or any of the Duggars have robust social lives that exist beyond their families and random 'fellowshipping' with people who think and live exactly like them.  Because they probably don't.  I just don't think that their 15 followers should be used as a measurement for that.  If it were, then we'd have to assume that someone like Caitlyn Jenner has zero friends or support because she's following no one.  

[cereality]

It's odd to be on Twitter and following 12 people (just looked at Jessa's), most of whom are your family. I'm not suggesting that it's never been done, but it's odd and does suggest a lack of social life and a lack of interest in known anything beyond their family's world. What about their "best" friends the Bates or the Querys or whatever other mega families they fellowship with? Most of the older Bates kids are on Twitter -- suggests to me there's not even one real friendship there and they get together when their parents load up everyone on the bus and say "let's drop in on Gil." I realize "celebrities" can't follow anyone controversial -- but there's not a single real celebrity, brand, or company they're curious about and would want to know more? How about the local news station or Fox News -- too controversial? How about the Weather Channel -- might be good to have another means of finding out weather during tornado season, no?

[Vaysh]

I don't know... If they look at Twitter simply as a marketing tool, why would they feel the need to follow anyone? There are other ways to keep up.

 

And I don't know how odd it is to be on twitter and only follow 12 people. I'm on twitter and I only follow a handful. I don't post much either and I don't really use it as a personal social vehicle. I drop in now and then to get updates on people I'm interested in and I do a search when there's a particular tag (like #duggarinterview) or anything else that I want to know more about. For me, twitter is more about keeping an eye on the zeitgeist than it is about socialising.

[allonsyalice]

I follow 415 people on twitter. I'm not famous, but I am a third year journalism student, so I like to have multiple perspectives. and I like to follow celebrities. (To keep it in perspective, I have about 12K tweets, too. My feed is simply fascinating. I tweet basically anything that comes into my head.) 

being said

there are a ton of famousish people who only follow a few people, but in the with the Duggars they think they only see it as a new way to minister and to get the word out there. Which is true, but they don't see it as a way to connect with people. just a way to get their word out. But I'm honestly not sure if JUST getting your word out and not truely connecting works. (do they reply to ANYONE?)

[Happyfatchick]

Re Twitter: still, Jessa is very young, and they know several families with tribes of kids about her age, and they DO mingle with other fundie families, such as the Big Sandy conference. It does seem like she'd be keeping up with more people. Having said that, I don't think there's a Twitter account in my whole family (and there are kids in that age bracket). What about Instagram? Does she follow anyone there, or is that all outgoing as well? (Or can you "follow" people on Instagram, asked the grandma sheepishly...)

[Sew Sumi]

What I find odd is that all of the Duggars, male and female, all follow the exact.same.people. Down to President Obama. I just find the level of lockstep rather appalling. Even the Bates kids, who also appear on TV, follow more people. Not a LOT more, but they at least show some diversity with their "follows."

[Churchhoney]

Public people aren't really using their social media accounts in the same way most people do.  It's all about branding.  They are very conscious of what they put on there and who they follow, especially who they follow.  The media has the most ridiculous articles sometimes about who is following whom on twitter.  I remember seeing a cover story in the grocery checkout about how Jessa stopped following Jill on twitter and how this must mean they were feuding, and I think there was even speculation that it was because Jessa had an affair with Derrick or some such nonsense.  And really, social media is hardly ever an honest reflection of anyone.  But that's even more true for public persons.  

 

That's not to say that Jessa or any of the Duggars have robust social lives that exist beyond their families and random 'fellowshipping' with people who think and live exactly like them.  Because they probably don't.  I just don't think that their 15 followers should be used as a measurement for that.  If it were, then we'd have to assume that someone like Caitlyn Jenner has zero friends or support because she's following no one.  

 

Yes, this is absolutely true. But I follow a few celebs and they all follow more than 20 people. They follow friends and people they've worked with, charities they're interested in, a few news sites or Twitter jokesters and so on. It's a small number compared with those following them, of course, but they're still following somebody. For one thing, most like getting something in their Twitter feeds too, I think -- and they like forwarding stuff that people they know are sending out. This is why the Duggar number seems paltry to me -- if you follow so few and they're all family, you're really not picking up anything you didn't already know, and you don't seem to be interested in passing things on and curating the knowledge and ideas that come your way. It suggests that you aren't interested in a friend caring about some charity and sending along a message about it, for example. And that's really what Twitter and Instagram are about for most people, I think, including many celebrities.

Edited June 12, 2015 by Churchhoney

[wanderwoman]

Maybe they are just trying to live life like normal people and that means social media

Except that her life, and the lives of her siblings, were devoid of social media until they started collecting a separate paycheck from TLC. Remember, this is the family that restricts their access to the web and net nannies them to death. Where is Jana or John David's social media presence? They're normal adults...Except, not.

[Readalot]

Could it be that they have another Twitter accoubt that is private that they use to connect to "friends"?

[Absolom]

Perhaps they connect with friends and family in a different way.  I'm the only member of our family with a Twitter account and I'm Grandma.  :)  Yet, we manage to all stay in touch and in a manner that our business isn't open to the public. 

[Sew Sumi]

Could it be that they have another Twitter accoubt that is private that they use to connect to "friends"?

Only if they are under family nicknames that no one knows. Otherwise, someone would have found all of the private Twitter accounts by now. 

[JoanArc]

Only if they are under family nicknames that no one knows. Otherwise, someone would have found all of the private Twitter accounts by now. 

Sarah Palin did this. The Duggars likely do too.

[realityfan26]

I think it's terrible they're not following more Twitter accounts. I don't follow any family, I do follow a lot of photo, travel & national park accounts just to see what's out there in this world! Also college sports!

[Churchhoney]

Sarah Palin did this. The Duggars likely do too.

 

Or they're just quite isolated. Controlling families isolate. That's pretty much the first and main thing they do. And this is a controlling family.

[GEML]

I don't think they are necessarily as isolated as we think, but they don't use social media as a way of communicating. For instance, news about Jessa's baby has already been texted to her actual friends in a private way a week ago. But she's on an official time table to post certain things at a certain time, and occasionally (with mixed results) posts something she actually thinks about. But I doubt she even reads the comments. I've thought for awhile they hire someone to do that. The mail too. You know people send them some nasty stuff. No way is Jim Bob going to have his family going through that.

[Twopper]

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/26/duggar-relative-anyone-would-molest-kids-given-opportunity-and-no-consequences/

 

I apologize if this was posted before; I think I have read all the posts, but I probably have missed some.  This is Ben Seewald's dad opinion of the Duggar scandal. At least he didn't seem to blame the victims. 

[springtime]

I think it's terrible they're not following more Twitter accounts. I don't follow any family, I do follow a lot of photo, travel & national park accounts just to see what's out there in this world! Also college sports!

I don't have a Twitter account- but my adult children do- I "follow' their tweets (luckily their accounts are public)

They live apart from me and aren't the best at letting me know all is well.

Edited June 14, 2015 by springtime

[Sew Sumi]

I knew she wouldn't let the 20 week milestone pass without a selfie. 

 

https://instagram.com/p/36xF8zDfm6/?taken-by=jessaseewald

[CofCinci]

Where is she? Duggar house closet?

[Sew Sumi]

That was my guess. The Mold House doesn't have such sloping ceilings. 

[Absolom]

I think perhaps the storage area off the girls' room.  The main closet downstairs doesn't have sloping ceilings either, does it?

[ChocolateAddict]

Not trying to be rude but I don't think it is the nicest photo of her.  The half-smile looks a bit strange, she looks much nicer when she smiles properly.  I hope that she is alright with this whole Josh mess, her pregnancy and the possible loss of her livelihood.  Even if you don't feel sorry for the Duggars, Jill and Jessa wouldn't be in the best headspace right now.  

Edited June 14, 2015 by ChocolateAddict

[JoanArc]

She looks (understandably) depressed.

[mbutterfly]

I think perhaps the storage area off the girls' room.  The main closet downstairs doesn't have sloping ceilings either, does it?

Oh, I was just thinking, "look at all the cute clothes she has." But maybe that isn't her personal closet. But why would you take a selfie in someone else's closet?

[Vaysh]

It is a little strange how her latest selfies all seem to be taken in the Duggar home. She must be spending an awful lot of time there. I would've thought she'd like to spend as much time alone with her new husband or in her new home as possible. Isn't that what newly married people do?

[Fuzzysox]

Maybe Josh and family are living in the mold house til their's is done and Jessa and Bin are living in the TTH.

[GeeGolly]

I would guess they are all hunkered down and avoiding the press. The whole gang is probably hanging at the TTH.

[Sew Sumi]

I'm sure Benessa are still at the Mold House. She just spends a ton of time at the TTH. I agree with Vaysh; she spends TOO MUCH time there for someone who is a newlywed. I guess I can understand it since Joshgate, because they're closing ranks, but she was there an inordinately large amount of time before that. I guess that goes along with the fact that these girls really don't have friends outside of the family unit. I wonder when the last time Jessa saw any of her bridesmaids was. 

 

As for her expression, I personally think she is smirking. She looks unusually smug. MMV, of course. :D

[Joe Jitsu913]

Jessa thinks she's hot shit (much like Michelle). I don't think getting married and having babies will fulfill her.

[riverblue22]

Jessa probably spends the day at the TTH while Ben works for JB cleaning toilets and such.

[Churchhoney]

Jessa probably spends the day at the TTH while Ben works for JB cleaning toilets and such.

Hey, ho, the glamorous life!

[Mariva]

I think Jessa has been at the TTH much more than Jill when she got married when many thought it would be the opposite. I was surprised to hear one of the siblings (Joy?) say that they only saw Jill about once a week or so. Her and Derick do seem to miss a lot of family gatherings whereas Jessa and Ben are over at the house almost every day.  If Ben is still "working" (and I use that word very lightly) for Jim Bob, there hasn't been much evidence of it. I'm still waiting to see if they'll ever address Ben's mysterious employment because there's been a lot of conflicting reports. One day he's a real estate agent, the next a construction worker, no wait, a lawn mower, no, he works at the towing business and so on. I get the feeling that he and Jessa are embarrassed that he doesn't have a real job so there's been a lot of downplaying and cover-ups going on. Reality TV was probably their one source of income and now they (likely) won't have that anymore. 

[CofCinci]

Jessa definitely spends more time at the TTH than Jill did post-wedding, most likely because Jill is so codependent that she had to drive Derick Dillard his lunch every day.

 

What's the commuting distance between Mold House and TTH?

[Mariva]

Jessa definitely spends more time at the TTH than Jill did post-wedding, most likely because Jill is so codependent that she had to drive Derick Dillard his lunch every day.

 

What's the commuting distance between Mold House and TTH?

Except Ben doesn't really work so Jessa already spends all her time with him, lol. Pretty much every time I see a photo of these two they're either hanging out at the TTH or traveling with her family to yet another book signing or conference.

 

I think the distance between the Mold House/TTH/McMansion are all about 20-30 minutes each way. 

[dillpickles]

I like to think Jessa hangs out at the TTH more than Jill because at the end of the day Jinger is still her partner in fundie crime.

[bluebonnet]

I imagine it's difficult to go from a house of 20+ to a house of only 2.  I remember when I first moved into my own apartment without even roommates, the silence was deafening and I was always going to visit other people.  I mean, I also assume Jessa still does her child care duties, but outside of that, just being around familiar things seems normal, especially since they live nearby.  

[Sew Sumi]

The Mold House is about 5 miles from the TTH, IIRC. StoneyBrook (Jill's McMansion) is in Rogers, which is about 20-30 minutes away. 

[Albanyguy]

Jessa definitely spends more time at the TTH than Jill did post-wedding, most likely because Jill is so codependent that she had to drive Derick Dillard his lunch every day.

 

 

Or maybe Jill gets along better with Derick than Jessa does with Ben. It's possible that Jessa hangs out at the TTH a lot because she's decided that she doesn't like Ben as much as she thought she would.

[Mariva]

I imagine it's difficult to go from a house of 20+ to a house of only 2.  I remember when I first moved into my own apartment without even roommates, the silence was deafening and I was always going to visit other people.  I mean, I also assume Jessa still does her child care duties, but outside of that, just being around familiar things seems normal, especially since they live nearby.  

Heh. I think the whole point of Jessa getting married was so she could escape her duties. This is a girl who the second she got engaged couldn't be bothered to help Jana and Jinger get the little girls dressed in the morning while she sat in the background doing her nails. She checked out a long, long time ago IMO. I seriously doubt that she's hosting sleepover parties for her buddies like Jill did. 

 

The Mold House is about 5 miles from the TTH, IIRC. StoneyBrook (Jill's McMansion) is in Rogers, which is about 20-30 minutes away. 

I thought Ben and Jessa's house was in Fayetteville which is more than 5 miles from the TTH?