I don’t even know how to feel or what to say about the path that blogging is slipping, falling and sliding down.
It sucks. Donkey balls.
Integrity?
Transparency?
Seems those are just words thrown at us. They are nice enough words. Important sounding. But ones without true weighted meaning. Preached enough that bloggers are supposed to blindly subscribe to them. Or gasp, run the risk of not being taken seriously.
Some of us do, full of wanting to do the right thing. Some take the various pledges but keep their fingers crossed behind their backs.
Ha.
It’s insulting.
It’s heartbreaking.
Those that play by their own rules. Those that manipulate and use their blog and the community for their own greater good. They are the ones that get the attention. And like a petulant child, even negative attention is better than none at all.
Blogging. Writing. They are my passions.
Like the air I breathe, it’s something I need to do.
Except the oxygen is tainted. Rancid.
Slowly seeping its way through every corner of the blogosphere. Leaving in its wake, something indescribable, permeated with remnants of foulness.
And we are left dry heaving.
But the gossip. Constant twitter about all the horrible stunts that bloggers are pulling.
It’s a feeding frenzy. When in reality, these bloggers should be left to starve to death. Well, their blogs. Not them.
We pay so much attention to things like the Balloon boy, Jon and Kate and every blogger drama that comes along.
Why?
Are we that bored? Do we not want to be left out of the loop? Just in case of a trickle down effect?
Can’t it just be like it used to? Bloggers writing blogs. Blogs getting comments. Comments leading to emails. Emails leading to friendships.
Or has blogging evolved from a docile creature into a gnarly, mouth foaming, green eyed beast?
ps. to those of you who don’t blog, there is all sorts of drama that goes along with blogging. and with each episode, it becomes more momentous.
I am new to blogging and as wonderful as it is to write and express for yourself, it feels even better when readers comment on it.
I clicked this post because of the tweets you had made leading up to the actual entry. In a sense, that is marketing yourself, no?
BUT……Like you, I “market” myself in the sense that I want readers. But I want readers to read ME and not because I want to win some kind of popularity or publicity. Yes it”s great to win awards. Yes it’s great to make $1.25 a year in ad clicks. Hey, it keeps things interesting.
I think, like you it rubs me the wrong way because is “commercializing” and manipulative writing. I get what you mean.
“Or has blogging evolved from a docile creature into a gnarly, mouth foaming, green eyed beast?”
And you think you’re not a great writer.
HA!
Yeah, I’m with you. I’ve decided NOT to go with marketing on my blog. It’s not my reason for blogging, you know?
A friend sarcastically said the other day “blogging is so 2005” and it cracked me up. I agree with what you say here. I have made a few really good friends blogging. I try not to get involved in the drama and to be quite honest, my circle of blog friends isn’t that big. It is kind of shocking to read though about some of the stories. I have my personal blog and I drank the kool aid and started a review blog, because I think they are helpful and useful, but what I don’t do is market myself really. I figure if people read my blog that’s great. If not, how would I ever know?
This is why I sort of hang out in my little blog corner. I do expand it frequently, but I don’t venture into Drama Land. I like to read about it sometimes, but you won’t find me in the thick of it. That’s not why I blog. I blog for enjoyment, and drama gives me NO enjoyment. It gives me stress and I have kids who do that job quite well, thank you!
I don’t think it’s evolution.
I think it’s growing awareness.
“Blogging” has a huge scope, huge. I think as “mommy bloggers” we forget how many other types of blogs are out there. These issues have been issues for a long time. I mean if you think about it, humans have been lying and swindling sort of, forever. Blogs are just another place to do that, for some people.
This issue has just spread awareness, especially for mom bloggers who may not have been exposed to this kind of crap in the past. It’s a shitty lesson to learn, especially from a friend.
I do my blog as a way to remember things about my kids at certain times and sure I love comments since it’s the only time I talk to other adults in my day that get what my day is like and how I feel about things. I’m not a big well known blogger and I never will be ,I don’t give tons and tons of stuff away all the time and that’s ok with me . I look forward to seeing who stopped by each day and going to their blogs and seeing what’s new in their life. If it wasn’t for the blog and twitter ,I be crazy alone with kids all day in a place where I don’t know anyone in real life . So if you like me you do and if not …oh well there are plenty of other blogs for you to visit !
I don’t blame you for not liking the drama,there is no need of stuff like that we are adults !
Some people should stop acting like they are still in high school it’s so foolish ! I’ll be back to read each time you post and I come in peace ! haha
I’ve had a blog for a few years (but I consider it a writer’s blog… ’cause no one really reads it). Nonetheless…
I think this begs a bigger question of human nature and our morbid curiosity when it comes to train wrecks and car accidents. It’s like we’re drawn to the negative spectacles and feed off them until they consume us (paradox, anyone?).
The problem with the internet is that there is no real accountability. No one *really* owes anyone anything ’cause there are no consequences, per se. It’s a weird dynamic and the social investment is completely different than in real life.
Integrity and transparecy are interpreted differently – bloggers created online personas that don’t necessarily reflect who they are offline. There is the freedom to be who you want to be, but might be afaid to be in real life. It’s an outlet.
Some people use that outlet for creativity, attention, revenue… etc.
When someone manipulates online relationships and situations, it’s about that individual. It isn’t about the community, or other bloggers.
You would think that since we are all grown women (and men) that we would have left the drama, the snitting, and the cat fighting back in the halls of our Jr. High Schools. But, given recent events and what I have heard thru the grape vine – this is not the case. I think its sad – and I tend to feel pity and ashamed for the person that is creating the drama. What is so wrong in their life that they need to spread their negativity and rotten attitude in our community like a flesh eating virus?
Maybe I’m clueless about all of this, since I can hardly be considered a “blogger,” but how much drama occurs just because you decide to let it affect you?
You have a choice to be distracted by balloons, bad television, and the meme-of-the-week. You can give it a lot of your attention, thereby increasing your personal drama, or you can just notice it, acknowledge it, and file it away as one more bit of trivia to defuse awkward moments standing in line at the grocery store.
To hell with the naysayers. Blog for your own reasons.
I had this long winded not so nice comment about this whole shiz and then my laptop battery died- like the online gods were keeping me from sticking my foot in my mouth. Not mean towards you or what you wrote because I agree with you.
Instead I will say this.
My mom was a pathological liar, as a young kid I would sit and listen to her weave these tall tales to suit her needs to weave stories to suit her favor. I would sit there and be like “WTF” It would embarrass the shiz out of me. Now I have no relationship with my mom (and other reason I have shared with you of course.) I can’t trust her. I know she is a sick person but if I continue to support that behavior I would be supporting her actions.
That is why I have taken a step back from this whole blogging nightmare. We all have to decide how we are going to react, I am only responsible for my actions. I am responsible for what I say and write.
I think if this is a so-called “community” I’d rather live way out in the country… I mean way out in a cabin in the middle of nowhere that still gets cable. Or we can just start our own commune. Not one where you piss in a bucket, but one where we sit around drink wine and enjoy the pleasure of each others company.
I was just thinking to myself yesterday that the one thing I didn’t even realize I didn’t miss about blogging is all the drama. Some people thrive on it, I’ve never been one of those people.
people like drama, it’s weird. Look at TV. We are fascinated with train wrecks that are NOT us because then it makes our lives seem not quite as crappy.
As far as the bloggy drama- there may be deeper things going on there, IMO.
I’m like you, I love to write and I will do it for me regardless- truthfully, whether it gets attention or not because I need that creative release.
Maybe other’s motives are different, but I know why I’m here.
I think people are just craving attention for various reasons… as obvious as publicity or as deeply rooted as needing a sense of importance or belonging.
Unfortunately, the media also put fuel to the fire, giving too much coverage to matters that are not even newsworthy but will create buzz and revenue.
This sort of discussion takes place in every blogging community. I have spent most of my 5.5 years blogging in the Jewish/Israeli blogosphere. About every 18 months someone writes a post about how good it used to be.
I’m not discounting what you said ‘cuz that’s your opinion and your experience.
I just think that some of this a bit cyclical. The only people who truly last in this game are those who enjoy writing and interacting with others.
I totally hear you … although, much like in high school … I’ve managed to be recognized in the blog world by truly wonderful people … who have a genuine interest in following my tepid, little life.
I’m happy to have “met” those, really great ppl … the other’s can suck it! 🙂
I haven’t seen so much drama since high school. It is sad really. When you think about it, we are women, bloggers, and most of us mothers too. Is this really the best example to set for our children and future generations? I think not. Can’t we all just get along?
@RantRaveRoll
The ONLY blog you have any control over is the one YOU write – so how could you possible expect people, overall, to be any different in the blogosphere than they are in real life?
The idea here, for me anyway, is to be as real as possible – warts and all. Fortunately, I think I am empathetic and compassionate – but that’s just me. I read people I want to read and I avoid people I think are disingenuous. That’s all I can do – all anyone can do – to ‘clean up’ the blogosphere. Just take care of what you can control – let those who prove to be idiots talk to themselves.
My therapist told me once that as human beings we are designed to want to cheer for one side or the other. We are either cheering for someone to do well or, in some cases, cheering for them to fail – so that we can watch the train wreck.
I actually think blogging has evolved into something more real.
When I first started blogging 4 years ago, almost NO ONE used their real name. Everyone used pseudonyms for themselves and their friends and family. People thought I was crazy for using my husband and my children’s names.
Now, more people use their real names than not.
I’m ALL about the connections and friendships. It’s my favorite part of blogging. I spend hours every day reading blogs and commenting.
I guess I try not to get sucked into the weirdness and drama. That said, I did manage to hear ALL about the TSA.
Ah the drama. I grab popcorn and watch from the sidelines and try not to get involved too much. because if I do, I’ll get so disgusted that I’ll stop blogging myself because a select few ruin it for me. And that’s stupid.
I read this earlier and wondered: What drama? So I didn’t comment.
Then … after engaging in what I thought was a friendly little exchange over the blogosphere, I realized was being dissed by a fellow blogger for being “anonymous” and that I basically have no right to be here, promote myself, or engage in anything since I don’t feel the need to identify myself.
Aaargh!
So, there you have it: blogger bitchiness at its lowest.
I try to avoid the drama at all costs. This is supposed to be about sharing and community and learning. I think it’s time to do a little housecleaning and hit the delete button with some folks.
Great post. I just enjoy writing and seriously do not understand the need for the drama. I wish people knew how to let things rest. Some claim they want your feedback and opinions, yet they really don’t and dis you if you don’t agree with them. What is that all about?
There are so many different communities out there, which is great , but it seems that you can only choose one or you are the bad guy. I am tired of high school crap and I will read the blogs I enjoy. Period.
.-= Crazy Housewife´s last blog ..I don’t get men! Do they ever listen? =-.