Is your blog controversial?
It cracks me up to read some of the blogs (both here locally and nationally) that try so hard to be controversial. Most of these bloggers are so interested in getting readers, pageviews, and comments that they’ll make ridiculous entries/statements that will stir the pot in the community.
This type of blogger will look for anything and everything to criticize because they know that it will attract readers to their blog. I’m not saying that it’s wrong to be critical in your blog. In fact, I should probably be a little more candid in my entries, but I guess that my motivations for blogging are different from their motivations. What I’m saying is that it gets a little old to read a blog that is always cynical and tries so hard to be controversial.
I’m 100% positive that a lot of those same people believe that my blog is boring. I hardly write about controversial topics. In fact, I love to write about good news, learning experiences, and topics on entrepreneurship.
This entry brings up a good question — why do you write/read blog entries?
This would have been a very interesting (controversial) post if you had only named names. How can I know who to hate if you don’t point ‘em out to me?
I guess I’ll just have to hate everybody for now. (Wait a minute, that sounds like a good blog post!) Or maybe I should head over to Chris Knudsen’s blog… He’s bound to tell me who to hate.
In all seriousness though, I like a little flame as long as it’s infrequent and spot on. I generally like Chris’ blog, BTW. (Just throwing him some heat because I know he can take it.) Vote Ron Paul!
Speaking of flaming, enough with the Ron Paul! Utah and Digg is the home base of this guy and I’m beginning to feel like people are trying to shove him down our collective throats. Sorry Jordy, had to call you out.
I haven’t even blogged about that yet. Soon though.
@Jordy:
I agree. Hey, Brock how about naming names
As far as your question goes - I have been struggling with this very thing. Frankly, I’ve cut back on posting because it takes a lot of time out of my busy schedule and then I have deal with people complaining about my posts - so what’s the point anymore? I guess I ought to hang it up.
@Chris:
My intention in writing this post was not to point to be a hypocrite and point out names. The reality is that I had taken a break from reading the blogosphere and when I returned to get caught up, it seemed that all I could find were controversial/negative posts.
To me, it just seemed like people were trying really hard to get pageviews, comments, etc. by being controversial. In reality, that’s fine if that’s your goal — it’s just not mine. It was this thought process that stirred up the question/blog entry.
@Jordy:
I like a little flame too; however, it’d be my preference to read about positive news and great things that are happening — not a constant barrage of negativism and criticism.
Brock
@ Brock:
Its all good and I agree with you - some guys will say some things just to get pageviews. I say who cares. I really couldn’t care less if people read my blog. Since I’ve slowed down posting, my traffic has really dropped off and that’s fine.
One problem I see lately is some people are trying to make a point and others are calling it “link-baiting” or whatever and then they miss the point. I’d like to find a way to make pertinent comments about topics and not have other feel like I’m just trying to grab eyeballs. I guess that’s something I need to work on.
@ Brock
I couldn’t agree more, in case you didn’t get that from my sarcastic tone. It’s obvious (and annoying) when people are just trying to get eyeballs through mudslinging –and I’m definitely not a mudslinger myself. (I have a very ‘white personality’, if you give any credence to that “Color Code” garbage.) That said, I like it when people who have a legitimate beef bring it up, although it’s rarely necessary to name names. My mention of Chris was in good fun to point out how ironic it would be if you had singled anyone out.