Here in blog HQ, our attention was caught by this article discussing the connotations of the word 'blogger'. Most of them, to us, seem rather unsuitable - a quick perousal of the BCUK community shows that.
It appears to be a rather cynical attempt to tie the concept of making money to blogging, failing to bear in mind the human aspect of the experience.
- -A nobody that always wanted to write and thinks people will finally notice their talent online
- -A lonely geek looking for attention
- -A marketer that publishes promotional fluff as an attraction strategy for a product
- -A depressed 9-to-5er that desperately wants to quit and work from home
- -A get-rich-quick schemer that thinks blogging is the key to making millions online
- -A lazy homebody looking for a source of passive income so they never have to work again
- -An author that can’t get published
- -A CEO that wants the board to think he’s on the cutting edge
- -A techy tag along that starts a blog because everyone else has one
So, what is a blogger really? Are we all really pathetic losers? Or does the BCUK community really make a difference to the people who take part in it, laugh in it, cry in it, bare their souls in it?
We think so. We are just people who are willing to reach out to other people in whatever way we can. And we make a difference.
As always, feel free to share your thoughts on this.
Comments (18)
A blog is hopefully anything you want it to be - and the less commercial, the better, I reckon.
Personally, it's my attempt to entertain - and it's fun!
My thoughts were recorded here:
http://mypoetry.blog.co.uk/2007/06/01/the_queen_and_i~2373710
It's my place to vent.
When I know there is no one who wants to listen in the real world, I can vent in the virtual world and it's out of my head even if no one reads it.
It's a sounding board for ideas.
It's my bit of space where I can write anything and no one can stop me.
You mean people don't listen to you in real life?
My darling you sound surprised. No one listens to me here, what makes you think they do in real life?
I'm so ashamed of myself... I nearly typed IRL... but didn't!
Thanks for the link. Did you notice my follow-up post? I elaborated a little bit more.
Here's a snippet:
Some people would argue that blogs are just a means of self-expression. And that’s fine. If you find happiness from writing down your thoughts and posting them to the Internet, regardless of whether anyone reads them, then stop reading this post. You don’t need it.
Would love to hear your thoughts. :-)
I think that is a more accurate representation of many of the bloggers in blogworld.
Of course, you are right, many people do see it as a way to make money, and the blogtypes you mentioned in '11 Meanings for Blogger You May Never Have Noticed' certainly do exsit.
But I feel that they are not the ones that are the heartbeat of the blog community - most of them, I feel, give up after a meagre effort due to not seeing quick results. Bloggers with soul (excuse my terminology, I don't mean to imply that money-orientated blogs are soulless, not by a long shot), however, are the ones that stick around to make blogging an important part of people's lives.
a blog should be a personal expression...a diary, an outlet for creative writing (that's me!), a vehicle for communicating with others, and for learning from others, too.
i don't like blogs for commercial purposes.
but it's a fine line between doing that and competitive blogging to move up the rankings, i think.
and i think blog.co.uk is a great site full of great blogs!
Personal expression, escapism stroke procrastination, mucking around with words, venting, confiding, banter and communication.
Just a snapshot.
A blog is what you make it. To share your tales of woe and wonderment with those who may find it interesting. Blogs can be entertaining, delightful, heart breaking and completely annoying. Blogs should remain free from advertising where the blogger can not profit financially as then it is difficult to ascertain whether the blogger is genuine or plain fluff.
Oh. And, who gives a rat's behind if some folks don't like blogs or bloggers?
*bends over to expose her Canadian butt*
They can just kiss me right here.
I go with everything everyone's expressed here. Everything goes on here, it's the most entertaining, spontaneous, interactive magazine show going. News, music, comedy, pathos, art, cookery, health, religion, public warnings, anything and everything! Most intention I have of posting gets waylaid by reading and commenting on other peoples' posts, it's like being down the pub with your mates and having a nice afternoon round a friend's house all at the same time, what more could one want? Thanks BCUK and all bloggers!
BLOGGERS world-wide are enabled by the power of the Internet to express views and opinions,some serious,some hilarious,some insidious,some extraordinary expressed with a view to "focus" attention.
Good post Rampage
So my blog is one with a soul
Hugs2u,
xx
Kiki
even if nobody reads it here, its somewhere to write how i feel. because then i dont feel like its just building up inside me, its out in the open.
and if any people are nice enough to read it and help me then thats great. and if not then thats fine too!
I think a blogger is somebody who writes down their thoughts, hopes, dreams, worries and frustrations and hopes they'll find other people out their who share at least some of these expressed things...and I have found just that here so am more than happy to be here...and thanks to BCUK for giving us this outlet, which is a very friendly and pleasant place to be for much of the time...big hugs to you all..
Very sorry to have taken so long to find this...smack hand for not reading your news more often...HLOL...
first time blog reader. wow you lot are really intense.
I've only been writing blogs for a couple of months but i find it fun and kinda cool when someone publishes my articles, or i make page one in google. I don't know what to expect but if someone takes something i've written and it helps them to see life differently i think i've succeeded in what i set out to do.
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