Thin King Bloggers II
Ok, so this whole Thinking Blogger meme thingy is just another chain letter ... and it generates traffic for the originator and John Baker is a bit miffed about it (thanks to Aunty Caroline for the link).
But ... the thing is - I've paid a lot more in hard cash to feel as warm and fuzzy as I did writing my post and choosing my nominations last night. And I genuinely do feel that my attitude to the world today is all the better for it (thanks Ms. M, you truly are a great psychotherapist for prescribing it) and I have been reminded of just how much I appreciate the people who share themselves in blogland in such generous ways. Plus I had the added and truly therapeutic realisation that Blogging about the detail has made me more present in my life without having to attend a yoga class, chant or read any self-improvement books (which are surely just a distraction from being present in your life).
So, don't go spoiling my buzz please John. Ta.
But ... the thing is - I've paid a lot more in hard cash to feel as warm and fuzzy as I did writing my post and choosing my nominations last night. And I genuinely do feel that my attitude to the world today is all the better for it (thanks Ms. M, you truly are a great psychotherapist for prescribing it) and I have been reminded of just how much I appreciate the people who share themselves in blogland in such generous ways. Plus I had the added and truly therapeutic realisation that Blogging about the detail has made me more present in my life without having to attend a yoga class, chant or read any self-improvement books (which are surely just a distraction from being present in your life).
So, don't go spoiling my buzz please John. Ta.
Labels: blogging, meme, thinking bloggers
posted by Stray at 9:07 AM
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13 Comments:
You go girl. Fuzzy and warm is a good state to be in.
x
Thank you Aunty Caroline. Fuzzy, warm and wet can indicate a problem, but just fuzzy and warm is lovely :)
Stray, your fuzzy warmth was worth it and giving recognition to fellow bloggers who inspire us is always worth it.
I do agree with objections to tricky means of generating more traffic to one's site, especially if that site is not one that I would have chosen to link to in the first place.Yet,if someone was to suggest a legitimate (ie: "my blog really is thought-provoking and you would all benefit from linking to me") method of bringing in more visitors, I might give it serious consideration. :)
Well, I must confess I did enjoy reading what John Baker had to say about it all - he does make good points and I have a soft spot for the "grumpy old man" take on things. The irony is that I wouldn't have come across it had Ms M not tagged us and then I came noseing around here to have a look as a consequence. I would have posted something in his comments but you have to sign in with your email address etc. which always puts me off a bit for some reason. But to sum up (what? you may ask), my head's with Mr. Baker and my heart's with Ms Melancholy whose impulse to tag was grounded in warmth and generosity.
RTS! So nice to meet you :) I have been round to your place and I'm seriously impressed by your spoon making credentials. And the preferences poem ... which has my head all mixed up now about what I might prefer.
You make a very valid point. Mr Barker wouldn't have the hits he has if he wasn't band wagon surfing himself.
Perhaps it's a big conspiracy and they're all in it together ...
I guess my over riding feeling is that if a meme is worth doing, does it matter if somebody, somewhere makes a dime? And if Ms M thinks it's good for us, who are we to argue?
Natalie my dear, if only the rest of the blogiverse was as straightforward as you are :) Telling the truth? Asking for what we want? Are you insane?
I'm with John Baker on this one. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it feels so base to use your blog simply to make money through advertising. Am I being too high minded about this? Despite this, I think we have all bypassed the shit and I am quite enjoying the recommendations. There is always a fissure through which something good will emerge.
Hello Ms M :) Nice to see you today :)
Interesting. I guess I see a blog as a channel like any other.
This is my 'for fun and friends' blog. It's just for me to play in, and connect with others, and it has massively exceeded my expectations in terms of both teaching me things about myself and connecting me to amazing, talented, loving and interesting Others. I have made real friends through my blog, people I now visit in the offline world. How cool is that?
But ... here's a dirty secret ... I have a commercial blog! Actually, it's not mine, but I'm hired to write for it and generally run it. And it's not the only one - I'm starting on another one soon. Pays the bills and all that jazz. They are both for small print mags, not for tobacco companies, animal testing labs or oil barons ... before you ask!
I think where I feel uncomfortable is with the lack of clear division between pro and amateur blogging. I sometimes don't know what I am stumbling into, and if I'm going to be commercially engaged in something then I suppose I want to know upfront that it's a financial transaction, because otherwise I can feel a bit cheated.
Also, I think Mr Thinking Blog is not very warm or fuzzy. And that's rubbish!
As you said though Ms M, the goodness is shining through :) Yey for the fissure!
It feels underhand. And cynical. I suspect the other blogs you write are clear about their commercial intentions, which feels quite different to me. That is an open form of advertising. The Thinking Blog thing implies that he is interested in raising the quality of blogs in general, and that is clearly manipulative toss. Excuse my language. I feel a rant coming on. I need to lay down in a warm bath.
Yes - you're spot on. It's about the transparency, or lack of.
And yes, the blogs I write are explicitly those of commercial publishers.
Your language is excused. My own is far worse :)
I will turn the hot tap on for you Ms M. Radox?
Hi Stray. I really hope I didn't spoil your buzz in any way. Buzz is as important to me as anyone else.
I would like to congratulate you, though, on conducting a lively and civilized debate on your site. There's a really great community feel around here; it was my first port of call this morning, and, as a result the day looks a whole lot better.
Hey John!
I actually was quite impressed with your post in terms of logic and principles and stuff. As you say, there's a lovely bunch of people here, having a very worthwhile conversation - it's almost like a forum but nobody is being rude! I'd like to thank you for stimulating the debate.
I'm glad we brightened your day - I hope it continued in a positive way :)
Sx
Interesting line of conversation but have to say I laughed out loud when I got to your comment with these words in
"I think where I feel uncomfortable is with the lack of clear division between pro and amateur blogging. I sometimes don't know what I am stumbling into,"
As I thought of you visiting my blog and knowing within a second it is absolutely amateur but you'd still be rubbing your head trying to work out what you'd stumbled into after trying to decipher D-W speak:0)
Though there again could be like those experiences in the woods ... when you've not been really watching where the dogs have been pootling and sunddenly stumble/step into something that makes you lift up a foot with that squelching sinking feeling and the undeniable sense that smell is a wonderful gift but not right that minute.
Glad you are back, maybe I might be too... well if I can remember to take the pain killers:0)
Good to see you DW!
Now, I think stumbling into your place was much more like the other day (see the post called 'returning') when I deliberately got lost in the woods with Ruby so that I could make the space to find something else instead :)
I am thrilled to see you back too! Please do try to keep those appointments with the tablets, yes. I hope you are bouncing back from your recent bouncing!
Sx
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