In which I wonder if blogging has jumped the sharkApril 1st, 2008 @ 7:01 am
A few months ago, while having dinner with some friends, they informed us of the latest trend for Mormon mothers, “they’re called blogs and all the Mormon mom’s have them!” I responded, trying to sound both confused and interested; “oh, this is the first I’ve heard of this. I must get me one of those blogs.”
A few days later these same friends sent us an e-mail with a link to their very own blog. Their blog was full of pictures of their kids and funny antidotes and stories about play dates, meal planning, and funny things that happened at church.
A few weeks ago I got a call from my dad. He wanted to discuss the plans for his trip to visit in a few weeks. We talked about maybe taking Babboo to the zoo, we talked about my parents helping to get the new house ready to move into. And then he threw in; “and while we’re there I’d like you to help me set up my own blog. I want you to show me everything you know about blogging so that I can run my own.”
My dad wants a blog where he can showcase his 4-wheelin’ trips with my mom. Pretty much it will be full of pictures like this:
(Why does this pictures crack me up so much? Is it the fact that my mom’s helmet is so huge, or is it my brother lounging across the entire 4-wheeler that makes me lose my shiz?)
Last week, with the help of Heidikins, I figured out better methods of Facebook stalking. While perusing Facebook, with my new methods, I found the younger sister of an old boyfriend. Her married name was very unusual, and also very googleable. And so I googled. Lo and behold, she had a blog. With a link to her older sister’s, who was in my grade, blog. Looking over her link’s lead me to even more blogs of people I knew in high school.
Becky and I spent most of yesterday morning reading all of these awesomely horrible blogs and e-mailing back and forth with our own bitter and jaded comments about all of these ladies from high school. Becky pointed out that “reading these blogs is like running your tongue over a canker sore over and over; it’s painful, but you just have to keep doing it.”
This last Saturday I got a text message from one of my bestest friends from my hometown. She was very excited about the fact that she just started her very own blog(!) and wanted to share the URL with the entire universe.
Seeing how many new blogs out there made me think. I thought back to what my friend told me months ago about the latest Mormon mommy trend of blogging. I thought about how my dad wants to start his own blog. I thought about all the e-mails from friends I’m getting that say “hey, check out my new blog!”
And this is when I realized that maybe, just maybe, blogging had jumped the shark.
Crap.
Is blogging no longer for the few of us that get it? I mean, really get it? Can the blogging community support all of the new blogs out there? Does the world actually need more blogs documenting our kid’s pooping habits and our 4-wheeling excursions?
Do we, as blog writers and blog readers, embrace this ever growing trend?
Or do we just secretly lurk on the blogs of all the girls from high school, and thank our lucky stars that they have blogs for us to read and remind ourselves that we’re glad we’re not in high school anymore?
They're just my family · Blog addiction · They're just my friends · Back in the day
janet
said,
April 1, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I think you’re probably right. Blogs are definitely way more common now. But I also think that most people give up their new blog within a few months, so maybe it will be out again soon and we can go back to being cool again? Or just extra-extra-nerdy.
She Likes Purple
said,
April 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Oh, tough/good question. I think it’s trendy, sure, and I think a lot of blogs are created and then get dusty from lack of content and updates because the appeal is lost soon after it’s found. Within the community there’s a million little communities and my favorite one consists of all the people who are passionate about the art of writing and the joy of the community, and they think up fresh ways to look at the mundane and they challenge and inspire. Not all blogs do this, obviously, but there’s room for each and every one regardless.
Nic
said,
April 1, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I figured that once I jumped on the bandwagon it MUST have jumped the shark. I hope it doesn’t go away…
janssen
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I think STARTING a blog is super popular. I think maintaining a blog is less popular.
Viviane
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I do agree that blogging has become so very common. As for jumping the shark? As long as I enjoy it, I will keep blogging. I started doing it not because I thought it was cool or special but because it was fun to me and as long as it stays that, I’ll keep doing it. As for all the people who started doing it to be cool, well, they will probably turn out to either really enjoy it (potentially producing a few good blogs) or they will get bored soon enough.
Marriage-101
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I noticed it too. But, just because some of us were early adopters, doesn’t mean we’re any more entitled to it than they are, or that there aren’t some newcomers that aren’t better at it, frankly. So honestly? I like it. I’ve seen WAY too many bloggers who have been blogging for years, develop a following and then let their egos get out of control. (not you of course!) Some are “popular” and are part of one clique or another, just like high school. It’s pretty annoying actually, since I always viewed the blogosphere as anyone’s territory. Where everyone could own their own little piece of the Internet and no one is excluded. But instead we just brought our old bad offline habits back online with us.
So while I may not comment - or even read - the blogs of people I used to know, I think it’s great that they’re out there. The more the merrier, I say. Besides, to Janet’s point, I think the bloggers that truly “get it” will be the ones that continue with it or move on to the next big thing. The rest will die a peaceful death in cyberspace.
sarah
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:35 pm
gah! now i’m freaking out that i don’t really get it and i have one of the horrible blogs. i suppose since i’ve been blogging for years it doesn’t count as one of the trendy blogs, so at least i have that.
:)
Isabel: I was trying so hard not to offend anyone with this post. Seriously, blogging is meant to be fun. And as long as you enjoy what you are doing, then that is what matters.
I’m just a bitter and jaded person. And seeing the blogs of the “popular girls” from high school kind of set me off.
Kim
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I agree with the comment that starting a blog is cooler than keeping up with it. Those who want to do it will do it well. And those are the ones I keep up with.
I’m just happy I have people reading my blog.
Brittany
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Firstly, I have way too many pictures like that of my own family members sprawled across four-wheelers. I love it, and I’m laughing my head off. Welcome to Utah!
Secondly, did you go to high school with Becky?? She practically lives up the street from me (a few miles up the street, but still freakishly close for a person I know from the internet but not in real life). Small world.
Thirdly, yep, blogging is getting too common. I no longer feel like I’m part of a secret club, but I do feel like an old pro (except for the part where I still don’t know what I’m doing-even after three years of doing it).
Rhi
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:50 pm
It’s true. My mother wants to start a blog. If it’s anything like our phone calls, it will be painful. Very painful.
Becky
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I think some of it has to do with the writer. I’ve stumbled on many blogs of complete strangers and their “mommy blog” or whatever doesn’t bug me or not bug me. I think that the little (or maybe big, which may be my case) things we carry with us from our high school years make these blogs ultimately unappealing to us. Maybe others would go to the blogs in question and see no difference in their blog than any other in the blogosphere. Maybe there would be annoyance to you no matter what “category” their blog fit into just because you know the source of the information. I know it’s hard for me to drop my bitterness at the door when I find someone like that.
I know to me, if their blog had been really good, it may have been just as annoying. I’ll admit I’ve had blog envy a time or two, and to know such-and-such had a huge following would inspire just as much bitterness (though less laughter.) Sorry, I’m a bitter, bitter person.
Laurel
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Blogging is becoming more, uh, common. It feels like everyone I know is blogging about their wedding planning / pregnancy / travels / big move. That’s cool, I love to read them, but I worry that Real Life friends will now have an easier time finding Secret Sass Attack blog!
Rachel
said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Blogging has definitely become more common, but there are still plenty of people out there that still don’t know what a blog is and there are plenty that could care less about blogging. I think there is room for new bloggers. Everyone finds their niche in blogland.
Stephanie
said,
April 1, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I like that there are new ways to stalk people, but I feel like blogging is better than places like Facebook or the awful Myspace. I do think that blogging has come much more mainstream but agree with Janet whole heartedly, a lot people fade after a short time of posting.
And your brother? made. my. day.
Christine
said,
April 1, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I also feel blogging is becoming more trendy. I’m afraid if I started a blog it would turn out to be a total flop. I’m not all that creative and I think I would end up posting something like once a month. I just enjoy reading well maintained blogs.
I’ve become disappointed with facebook. I liked facebook when only people with .edu email addresses could create an account. I think it has become too much like myspace.
Stephanie
said,
April 1, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I have thought about starting one… but like you said EVERYONE has them these days… what would I have to offer that might make mine different and readable… if only to family, wait, woudl I want family to read mine??
Joyful Mama
said,
April 1, 2008 at 6:53 pm
As a new blogger (tomorrow will be my one week “anniversary”), I’m officially freaked-out by your post today. I started a blog, not because it was cool/trendy, but becuase I wanted a place to meet new people, dust of my much-loved (but under-utilized) writing skills, and have a creative outlet. Plus I heard it was tons of fun. I hope this doesn’t mean that I will be rejected just because it took me a while to: a: find out there was such a thing. b: get up the courage to start one. (Can you tell your post totally played on the part of me that feels vastly inferior?) I still hope you’ll check out my blog sometime!
Abbie
said,
April 1, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Not wanting to sound like this is HS…whatever.
I don’t understand what you mean by “the ones that truly get it”
Who the heck cares what people blog about and how long they blog or if their blogs would make people slit wrists. This is the internet.
That’s why we have choices.
Sorry Isable: You know I like you, but this post sounded like the “popular girls” from HS kinda talk and a blogging clique.
Virginia Gal
said,
April 1, 2008 at 7:52 pm
If someone I know IRL sends me an “I started a blog” email, does that mean I have to read it and comment on a regular basis? Or can I read it once, comment, and then forget about it for whatever reason (poorly written, ideological differences, or whatever I don’t like about it)?
kristen
said,
April 1, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Everyonem has a blog. I love reading high school friends’ blogs…… its like haha, I know about your life!
Unfortunately, mine is a boring blog. We have funny stories, but it is still mostly family updates. And dumb things that I do. I started mainly because I haven’t written in ages, but now I have so many people (that I feel obligated to stick on my blogroll) who NEVER update their blogs. Ever. Come on people, what do you think I do… WORK for a living??
Keri
said,
April 2, 2008 at 1:29 am
The funny thing is that my friends dont really have blogs. Or if they do, they havent told me about them… Only one of my friends, but she doesnt update it much. Maybe I should start searching for them…
You know how I love to read others blogs but only blogged myself for about a week 2 years ago. I felt like I had nothing to say, but really I must since I comment on everyone elses…
Eve
said,
April 2, 2008 at 2:08 am
Reading this post kind of freaked me out. I always hated being mainstream. It makes me happy though that I started blogging the right way. As secretly as I could. That way hopefully people won’t be able to find me so easily…I live too close to the highschool I graduated from, and wouldn’t like to be visited from any of those people, on my blog, or in real life.
I have to say I don’t see the craze dying. It’s a new age we live in. Though quality blogs like yours will probably be harder and harder to find.
Sizzle
said,
April 2, 2008 at 2:52 am
In a way now that blogging is becoming more common I don’t feel like such a freak for having one. Also, a plus is that you can spy on people better. (You know it!) BUT will the influx of so many blogs make it more difficult to find a niche or a solid readership (if that is what you are after)?
SJ
said,
April 2, 2008 at 3:22 am
I started a blog to keep in touch with out of state family. The more I blogged the more I realized that I enjoyed it and then I started making online friends. And then I started to realize that maybe I wanted to do something more with it. It’s kind of been a re-birth of creativity for me and an outlet that I so badly needed. I do think it’s becoming more popular to have a blog these days but I enjoy finding new blogs to read all the time. If it’s someone I know, even better.
Fairly Odd Mother
said,
April 2, 2008 at 11:55 am
That photo will make me smile all day long. It almost looks like your mom is waiting for the 4-wheeler to start up again so she can begin running alongside—I mean, where did she sit????
Just wait until all our KIDS have blogs. Then, I will need to reconsider this endeavor.
The Bug
said,
April 2, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I’d like to know your searching techniques for Facebook!
HollowSquirrel
said,
April 2, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I’m with The Bug… now I’m curious about some of the nasty girls from h.s. who thought they were hott sh*t. Hmmm…
Ohp, I have to go. My toddler is acting out to get my attention. Snap. Bad blogging mommy.
Angella
said,
April 2, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I have found that two years ago, everyone I know (and their dogs) had a blog. They were updated pretty frequently with photos of their kids and such. A tad boring, but a good way for everyone to keep in touch.
Ever since Facebook hit the scene last year, almost everyone of those people have either abandoned their blog entirely, or update about once every six months or so. I am sure that will happen to a bunch of the people that you came across.
While I have a Facebook account, I mainly use it for email. Blogging is time-consuming enough. Though I must admit I am curious about the technique you discovered…
Loralee
said,
April 2, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I think that blogging is so unique that I’m fine with it. The more the merrier. Oversaturation does create sets of challenges, though. I feel sorry for bloggers just starting, simply because I think it will be tougher to get a toehold in the community (I have had a struggle with it and I felt like I was a very late starter in 2005!)
As for Facebook, I have the lamest high school class of all time, I swear. NO ONE is on there for me to stalk, dang it!!!
(I would LOVE to lurk on the blogs of former classmates!)
Christar
said,
April 2, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Blogging has become way too trendy. I have lost my own funk when it comes to my blog. I was doing so well for the longest time, and for some reason, I’ve lost my spark. I don’t know what to do to get it back or light a new one, and I’m not even sure if I want to. I love having my awesome blog friends and feeling like I’m part of a community, but I just don’t know where my blog fits anymore. I’m not a mom, I’m not a wife, I have nothing special to talk about on my blog. Ugh.
Niihaus
said,
April 2, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I’ve been writing and rewriting a post about this. Back 2 years ago it was easy to find the cool group, get involved, and even chat on the phone. Now, more people are writing for bigger magazine style blogs, and those are way harder to break through.
I don’t get Facebook at all and I wish people would stop doing stuff to my wall!
suzannah
said,
April 3, 2008 at 6:18 pm
as a newcomer myself, perhaps i’m contributing to the general shark jumping…anyways, just wanted to say that your photos made me almost pee my pants. so funny!