grumpyFloggen der bloggen
February 5th 2008 21:35
Knuckle draggers and illiterates aside, how we write and what we write about reflects our psychic predisposition. Even those “pro-active” bloggers who play the hype game and churn out nothing but regurgitated news items or crap about celebrities, the latest cars, business deals or hi-tech gadgetry show their flag simply by doing just what they do.
I admit I don’t play the hype game. I refuse to trade my quality time in on a quest for Google dollars, regardless of the notion implied in the stream of advice for bloggers, ie, that this is the quest of quests; that we are all here frantically scratching for ways to increase the chances we might have to make a quick – but sadly illusory - buck from compiling these never ending commentaries. Mind you, it didn’t start that way. Blogs existed long before the five minute attention span gene became active in the human nervous system; long before Adsense converted blogging into an endless roll of virtual toilet paper.
Outside the hype game there are the soapbox warriors, the diarists, the humorists, the political commentators, the educators, the analysts, and, of course, the mentally challenged majority, whose self indulgent and self referent outpourings lap like a turgid sea about the blessed isle of blog success.
To be honest, I find it more interesting to dive into this morass of ignominy than read the so called popular posts (many of which I wish had a “vote downwards” button attached thereto) for here the psyche is plain to read, the honesty obvious and the feelings not blurred in some attempt to hypostatize what is merely personal and often pointless opinion.
Nature is aristocratic. Outside the aberration of democratic systems government, most human endeavor is characterized by a naturally occurring aristocratic structure. Unfortunately, where this process is not merely natural but shaped by adding onto the process some narrow focus of endeavor, the particular group most apt to this focus will rise to control, manipulate or dominate the rest, regardless of whether they are representative of true natural aristocratic process or not. This is seen at the roots of political parties for instance, in a system which extols democracy the elective process is controlled and manipulated by a party political aristocracy which predetermines that only certain types of people can ever be elected as party representatives. The very same process applies here, simply by default of the way the system works and within it’s applied, or merely implied, notions of best practice.
But, I digress. That the shit always rises to the top is simply a fact of life in the real world, and it is a sad reflection of our current collective psychic condition that the same now occurs in human pursuits where once only excellence and quality of craftsmanship ruled. So I read to analyse, to gain information – not from the manifest content of most posts, but from the latent insight they give into the mind and motivations of the writer. What I read there would have bothered me once, but I am getting old, nothing I say could now shake the world or change the direction of our self destructive culture.
But I might blog upon it; I might prick the conscience or spark the imagination of a few fellow travelers. Sad hope, but, in truth, is that not writing’s most lofty purpose?
I admit I don’t play the hype game. I refuse to trade my quality time in on a quest for Google dollars, regardless of the notion implied in the stream of advice for bloggers, ie, that this is the quest of quests; that we are all here frantically scratching for ways to increase the chances we might have to make a quick – but sadly illusory - buck from compiling these never ending commentaries. Mind you, it didn’t start that way. Blogs existed long before the five minute attention span gene became active in the human nervous system; long before Adsense converted blogging into an endless roll of virtual toilet paper.
To be honest, I find it more interesting to dive into this morass of ignominy than read the so called popular posts (many of which I wish had a “vote downwards” button attached thereto) for here the psyche is plain to read, the honesty obvious and the feelings not blurred in some attempt to hypostatize what is merely personal and often pointless opinion.
Nature is aristocratic. Outside the aberration of democratic systems government, most human endeavor is characterized by a naturally occurring aristocratic structure. Unfortunately, where this process is not merely natural but shaped by adding onto the process some narrow focus of endeavor, the particular group most apt to this focus will rise to control, manipulate or dominate the rest, regardless of whether they are representative of true natural aristocratic process or not. This is seen at the roots of political parties for instance, in a system which extols democracy the elective process is controlled and manipulated by a party political aristocracy which predetermines that only certain types of people can ever be elected as party representatives. The very same process applies here, simply by default of the way the system works and within it’s applied, or merely implied, notions of best practice.
But I might blog upon it; I might prick the conscience or spark the imagination of a few fellow travelers. Sad hope, but, in truth, is that not writing’s most lofty purpose?
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Comment by Joanne Fedler
Secret Writers Business
Jo
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
I always thought writing had another aim other than to make people click on the ads.
Great post, grumpy.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
GREAT to see you here ...and to be able to read your really ((hilarious)) rant. Well said Sir, you certainly stimulated a few synaptic sparks in this mind, even if you do end up the one on top... its a crazy old world alright ... and i look forward to more of your insights of it.
Lilla ...
Comment by grumpy
Psyche Science
Grumpys Blog
Photography Craft
Dear Norm, thank you for your accolade and
Dear Cib,
I don't even remember what I did yesterday...
I have now reached the age of mental congruence: that final frontier of mind where creative genius and dementia collide. IE, I can now get up each morning serene in the knowledge that what I do today will be without question totally original and better than anything I have ever done before.
Comment by grumpy
Psyche Science
Grumpys Blog
Photography Craft
I have to admit, I don't try to be humorous - I guess its just my naturally sardonic nature coming through. On top? No I don't mind being on the bottom either. The view is the same.
Thanks for being there..
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Who is getting money for this?
I find that 90% of people are pretty good folks who happen to blog.
You learn pretty fast who is doing it for notice; who is looking for a quick buck; who has unrealistic expectations; who wants to make converts and who are just ordinary people using blogging as a form of communication.
Many people say that it is the comments that make their blogs special, much more than the original post. I am constantly surprised by what people write in response and the references that they use. When I joined Orble there was about 400 people posting. Now there is over 3500. Yet the ones that standout and are thought provoking are consistently so.
One thing I have found to be true is that the Internet is not high culture. It is cultural chewing gum. Fun to consume but should never be swallowed.
However I do like this post.
Comment by grumpy
Psyche Science
Grumpys Blog
Photography Craft
I don't believe I suggested anyone was getting money - just the opposite in fact. You will note that I did not suggest that any of the people here were not "good folk". Some are idiots, certainly, and some are without doubt trawling for the quick response, but I am sure they are for the most part good people. At least, I will believe this until it is proven otherwise.
I am also glad you find some consistency here in the "thought provoking" department. Certainly, it's obvious that some members here provoke your thoughts with unusual regularity.
I'm glad you liked this one.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Anonymous
DID UNDERSTAND THE BEGINING ABOUT THE TOP SHITEY BLOGS THOUGH.
SO IT IS TRUE THAT SOME ARE IN IT FOR THE MONEY AND WHY THE HELL NOT
LIVE AND LET LIVE I SAY,IT IS BECOMING A DOG EAT DOG WORLD AND LETS FACE IT IF YOU COULD MAKE A BUCK OR TWO THEN GRAB IT WITH TEN FINGERS AND ELEVEN TOES IN MY CASE. KEEP BLOGGIN MISTER X