Is blogging passé? I've read a couple of pieces recently suggesting it is and I can't say I agree.
I'm certainly writing less posts than I did previously but that's purely circumstantial.
For the life of me I can't tweet and don't want to. I browse Facebook on my phone whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. Therefore, if I want to write about something trivial or post a photo of my dinner I come here. It's solid, it's personal and it's free. There is no viable alternative.
I wrote some time back about sensing a shift in blogging, about it becoming more community based. It's here and I've just noticed that it generated more comments than any other post. That's because there are a thousand different reasons why an individual keeps a blog and each one of them is valid. The reasons for not blogging are just as valid but they don't form the basis of an argument that blogging has declined. They just mean the person doesn't have the time or the inclination which is absolutely fine.
We each have a blogging circle and all our circles overlap. So - I know some of your readers and you may know some of mine. It's like a giant Venn diagram. Sometimes we go wandering and step outside our circles and so it grows. Many of the people I knew when I started blogging have slowed or stopped. That's inevitable, but things evolve, they go quiet, they speed up, they plod along. I've always said, as and when, as and when. There is no job description apart from be polite and reciprocate when you can.
Blogging affords interaction. It creates communication which the social networks provide only in bite-sized pieces. For a writer (or anybody) it offers an instant platform. For a reader it offers ease of movement around the globe. You can stop by here and read a smidgen of nonsense from a tiny life, comment or not and then waft on. I do the same. I drop by to see what you're up to and you drop by here and see photos of Peg in a rubber ring or hear how the writing's going (or not going). It's a pressureless pass time. Yes, it can be time consuming but visiting other blogs can be easily done in one intensive swoop or leisurely over coffee - whatever - as long as it's not stealing work time. We're adults. We know the score.
I think boredom is to blame as much as anything. I have the boredom threshold of the teeniest tiniest gnat. Gnat-ettes I think they're called. I give up projects, I put down books, I turn off films. Sometimes I'm so boring that my small attention span bores even me. But I'm not bored with blogging yet. Slower yes, but certainly not stopping. And I have no ambitions to grow the blog, or any desire to shrink it. It is what it is. A pleasant diversion.
What do you think? Has blogging run its course for you? Do you prefer the instant communication of the tweet or the status? And if you're still blogging, what is your core reason?
44 comments:
I feel as though I'm only just getting going! I started off slowly, about a year ago; but have written a lot more since my accident in June and have increased the number of blogs I read.
I write to get feelings off my chest, to share things, or just to chat. It is not a replacement for Facebook, as you say FB is bite-sized. And interestingly most of my facebook friends would not 'get' my blogs, or would come up with some 'hilarious' comments about non-funny posts. I know what they are like.
I don't always find the time to read as many blogs as I did, especially in Nov when people are doing this 2,000 words a day thing, it's too much. I flit and pick and choose the ones that fit into the time I have.
~Juniper
This is my second blogging incarnation. Blogging is far more interactive now than it was a few years ago. This is a surprise to me, but a very pleasant one.
It will never be ‘finished’. It’s a bit like Rubik’s Cube or Monopoly – it will amuse for many years to come.
Re, “I have no ambitions to grow the blog, or any desire to shrink it. It is, what it is”: I think that this is the key to enjoying it. If you become precious or ambitious about it, that’s probably the time to stop.
Have a nice day, Boonie
I was first pulled up when you said you "keep" a blog, as if it was a journal. Of course that's how it all started and, to be honest, I find that now that I blog my journal entries have lessened. But although for me it does fill that purpose, more and more blogging is about building a worldwide community, reaching people and being reached by people I could otherwise never get to know. From a marketing perspective (hurray that I have something to market)it is invaluable. But from a personal standpoint, it is just as important. I have become friends, real friends, with many of the bloggers I follow. And I find it so very much more satisfying than twitter, which to me is so superficial it hardly has any meaning at all.
Ah Ms Lane, I take my hat off to those Nuns of yours(!), they taught you so well m'dear by giving you the wonderful gift in putting your point across so very eloquently :) I agree with you 100%. Long live the blog (banter), I say!
Let's give a two finger salute to the tweet, facebook and those ruddy pink plimsolls of yours! ;-)
TFxx
Oh crap I laughed when you admitted you even bore yourself! Too funny Lane!
For me at present I am far too busy to blog about the deep personal stuff that made up my blog for a couple of years.
Summertime takes me away from blogging and I know I lose a lot of readers because of that. But that is what it is.
These days as you well know I am just posting pics of the jewelry I have made and am selling.
I sat down one day and spent nearly the entire day posting pics and writing a few comments. That in itself was hard work! And - it took almost an entire day away from making jewelry.
Thinking I was losing the use of my hands for a while I was in a panic to get things done but I didn't want to entirely stop blogging - again. So this was my answer.
Now that I have exactly one month before I leave again for New Orleans - well - eeeeek!
My name is Aims - and I'm a blogger.
I have read of individuals who are growing less enamoured with blogging, but at least on of these had solid reasons for slowing dow; in a word, a stalker.
I presume there must be stats that indicate whether or not the numbers of bloggers are declining. I don't suppose they are globally.
I enjoy blogging. It gives me the opportunity to tease my girls, to write of my interests, in fact, just to write.
And as you say, there are communities that build, mutate, fall away.
I do very little tweeting - don't really get it but then I don't do texting either unless forced. FaceBook further confuses me. I am very suspicious of the commercial targetting that comes with the account. I have one 'cos the girls and their friends do and I can tell them remotely when it's bedtime.
I do very little Tweeting and rarely venture near Facebook. No reason for that, it's just the way it is.
I do enjoy blogging though. It's like sitting down and having a nice chat with 'friends' - even if you've never met most of these 'friends'. I love hopping from blog to blog with a cup of coffee to hand.
My posts are pretty erratic these days. Some weeks, I blog on a daily basis. The next week, I can forget the blog exists. :)
I'm glad to see you are still here, Lane. I've been away for awhile myself... I started a blog because I had something to say; these days I haven't been blogging much at all. because I needed to involve myself in other aspects of my life. I haven't changed my mind about blogging though. I still see it as a wonderful way to connect, to share, and to express.
In a way, it's run it's course for me, at least that course that I was on then when I had such an overwhelming desire to be heard. My life has changed, I expressed what I had to express, I've gone from point A to point C, and I think my blogging helped me to get there. But that doesn't mean that I'm finished with blogging... It just will be different from now on, and I'm not sure yet how it will be.
Lovely post.
Blogging hasn't run it's course as far as I'm concerned. Like you, I post a little less often than I used to, but I still prefer it to Facebooking or Tweeting. It's more time consuming and maybe that's why some people are moving away from it, but for me it's more intimate; like chatting with good friends I've taken time to get to know and who have got to know me, and right now I can't imagine wanting to give it up.
I'm glad you're not going to either :o)
I love reading your posts so I'm glad you don't think it's going out of fashion. i blogged more when i had a broken arm and couldn't do much gardening.
A few months ago I heard the siren call of Facebook. Don't need to give blow by blow accounts of life in the retired lane. It's just a way to build community. I don't want 500 friends, just a select group that I'd love to have dinner with or see a movie--all ages, all interests.
Blogging is ever so much more satisfying. First there's the writng. When a post turns out pretty well, I feel proud. More than that it's connections with so many interesting and amusing people. I've never written more than 2-3 posts per week. That gives me time to read and comment on other blogs which is just as satisfying.
Blogging has definitely slowed in the circles I frequent. My personal blog has pretty much ground to a halt because the group blog which I help to coordinate takes up my blogging time. This doesn't mean I've given up on my blog; it's just in semi-retreat for the while. And I still enjoy reading all the blogs on my roll - though I don't get around as much as I did when I didn't have a full time day job.
I use Facebook as an addendum to the blogs; there's no way it can replace the blog imo - far too random and superficial. As for Twitter - I shudder at the mere thought of tweeting.
I blog simply to get my feelings down 'on paper.' With the added result that I get feedback from people who have become dear to me and who's opinions I have come to value.I have a great need to expose the complexities of my life and through writing about them, gain insights into them.
I do Facebook to keep track of my only child and I don't Twitter, I don't see the point.
Blogging is more intimate and valuable as a way to communicate. Of course, you can get as involved as you want, but a lot of people do end up becoming your friends, which is strange, because you may never meet them in real life.
Your commenters are your support system. They keep you honest and on track and wipe your virtual tears. A comment can make your day.They are by unwritten rule, all kind and thoughtful.
I do think blogging has changed somehow but there's definitely still a place for it - for one thing, it reaches a completely different 'audience' than Facebook.
I'm looking forward to a new blogging incarnation - blogging keeps us writing and necessitates 'proper' writing if we want to keep our readers. I love that overlappy readership thing and, I have to say, blog friends who have become friends in Real Life are absolutely some of my fave people in the world.
Long live the blog!
I love reading blogs, and that hasn't slowed for me, but I never really got going with writing mine. Evenings seem short and I just wasn't getting around to writing things down, even though I had things I planned to say. I use facebook and twitter more, just because I can do that via my phone whilst skiving at work!
I've joined Twitter and Facebook, but frequent them far less than I think I probably should. I much prefer blogging and enjoy visiting other's blog posts too.
Brilliant post, Lane. I'm still blogging - well I'm not because I'm picking up a meal deal from Sainsbury's - but I'm still here - if you know what I mean!
x
I'm definitely one of the people whose blog has slowed down. A lot. But I still travel around the world peeking into people's lives, that's what I love about reading blogs.
But I admit I spend a lot more time on FB and Twitter. Twitter took a while to grow on me. Now I really love it - like mini blogs from all over the globe!
It won't replace blogging I think. Not for me or for other people I know. But times change and people change (or circumstances do anyway) and I love having different options at my disposal.
Blog on I say,Blog on in the face of adversity,twitbook,boredom,pink things,dots,dark nights and bright days,irritations,frustrations,laughter and happiness and all the other seemingly trivial things that between them make up a life.
Very interesting post, Lane. I love blogging and the interaction it allows, but I too have slowed these days. You summed it up well for me...I'm not bored either, but also have no desire to grow or shrink.
All in all, I love the community of bloggers, which is what keeps me coming back.
xx
No I don't think blogging's run its course - not yet. I do facebook but never got hte hang of Twitter - just another distraction!
I just can't get the hang of twitter...it just seems a bit meaningless!
I love blogging, just dont have a lot of time to do it at the moment...once things quieten down at Uni my posts will increase again...sometimes life just kind of gets in the way!
C x
Oh, I hope blogging isn't dying - I still enjoy both reading and writing, although I have to admit I'm really up against it timewise, but aren't we all? Let's all carry on so it's not just you, me and Peggy in a rubber ring, because then our Venn diagrams will be teeny-tiny. Although Pegs and Teas will still look cute in anything.
I'm glad I dropped by for another of your excellent posts. Blogging has changed indeed in the almost 6 years I've been at it, the medium, the messages and the messenger have all moved on. For my part, I'm still having difficulty getting focussed enough, although I've been a little more consistent recently thanfully :-)
Twitter and Facebook have different uses at different times, I dislike the byte-size self-profiling somehow which passes for human interaction but for sharing less contentious stuff amongst friends they're OK.
I suspect blogging has matured in some way, a lot of the silly "look at me" stuff has been buried, the quality has improved.
Thanks for this timely posting.
Cheers,
Bart
Blogging seems a more female than male pastime from looking at my own followers, the list of blogs I follow and just now reading through the responses to your blog posting. Don't know why that is. I certainly enjoy blogging but find myself posting less and less.
But I enjoy reading other people's blogs and certainly missed your musings when you had a quiet spell.
Sorry for such a tardy response. My excuse is that I've been a bit ill. No, 'ill' is too strong - under the weather is more fitting, so there's been a fair amount of Lemsip and lounging going on.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I'm glad to see that the general consensus is that blogging reaches the parts social networking can't. It's not dead on its feet yet and that, my friends, is very cheering.
Two words, Lane: Hot whiskey.
I love Boonie's analogy with the Rubik's Cube. That keeps on reappearing.
Oh Lane, I had an inarticulate rant about these just a few days ago. I should've just pointed people in the direction of your blog. You said it so well. Thanks.
babaloo - I like those two words:-)
Jenny - It's a great analogy isn't it. And thank you.
Look after yourself Ms Lane :) TFxx
Hate Facebook.
Hate MySpace.
Hate Tweeting.
Love blogging!
I am most definitely still blogging! I much prefer it to Twitter, Facebook and all the other singing and dancing social networking sites. Blogging has opened doors for me I never knew existed; I've made tons of friends, even met some of 'em. I don't ever want to stop blogging. I might not get as much time to read blogs as I used to but that's because of writing books, which blogging has helped me with.
So it's a large toast to the blogging world as far as I'm concerned. May it live on for generations.
CJ xx
I've stopped blogging because I just don't have the time any more - being a family man now and not a long distance love affair man. There is so much to do and sadly blogging takes time.
Monday nights is getting wee Robin to do his homework night and help improve his reading.
Tuesday nights is take an interest in wee Hamish's latest project night (animations, toy soldiers, his latest fact-based book)
Wednesday night is seeing clients
Thursday night is either clients or sofa time.
And every Friday night is our Wedding anniversary.
So you can see. A rich and full life, though Facebooking fills some of the void, with it's snappy one liners.
Hullaballoo, by the way, has started blogging again. I wonder where she finds the time?
A thought provoking question Lane.
I think I am more aware of people reading my blog than I was a couple of years ago.
And although they may be small in number (because I don't visit many other bloggers myself), I don't want to witter on as I would do if they'd popped round for coffee.
It depends why you blog. I have been writing mine for nearly five years now and sometimes it is hard to keep up the momentum, we all need to take a break from time to time, but I don't think I could live without it now.
I still enjoy blogging and I've been at it for three year or so (Ooooer, missus!)
I see you've redecorated chez toi. I've kept the same old template but keep thinking about updating. I might one day.
Although I'm a professional journalist - and have been well paid for many years - I like being able to publish instantly on any subject that crosses my mind. No money but I've "met" so many nice fellow bloggers. Are we saddos for living in this geeky world? I don't think so: most of us are married with children or have jobs or dogs or funny hobbies or whatever. All fascinating to me.
And it's free! (For now).
Like you, twittering hasn't appealed to me although I'm a recent convert to Facebook, which is great for posting pix for my friends and family back home.
I only do it when i feel the need these days.
And blogging :)
blogging isn't passe but i do think that people's attention spans are dwindling at a high rate of speed. and scrolling through long blog posts, perhaps, is tedious for some these days when they have become accustomed to one or two snappy lines on facebook.
i've been blogging less but that's been fatigue and grief. i'm coming out of both and getting back to my blogroll. glad to see you (and dumdad, and others) are still at it.
Phew! What a relief to read so many opinions, or situations just like my own! I have been blogging for years, but in the past few months drastically cut down on my posts as I became busy in another venture; drawing and selling artwork online. Many of my original blogging circle have packed up and gone.
I knew I could never stop completely; I think finding a happy medium is the key. You are absolutely right about no longer caring to "build it up". If someone reads, great. If not, that's okay too. I'm just no longer stressing if I have a post up for the sake of putting something up. Yes, blogging for me has changed, but not run its course.
BTW, so glad I wandered over from Nora's and expanded my circle ;)
Maureen - hi and welcome. You're right - it's definitely all about a 'happy medium'.
Glad you've expanded your circle:-)
Bit late to comment but I like blogging too. Helps me to remember what I've read, where I've been, and I like catching up with my blogger friends though I'm not doing as much blog visiting as I did. Perhaps because am trying to concentrate on writing or perhaps, to be truthful, because I'm watching too much reality tv.
I think I am allergic to Facebook, I joined but soon gave up visiting very much, it's all too open and instant and brief. I prefer to blog and to read other blogs - the ones that I love. Writing one doesn't have to be a daily thing and sadly I don't get enough time to read blogs as much as I would like.
I have been doing it for a few years now, have met some wonderful people and feel honoured to be able to see into other lives, all over the world. I will keep on blogging......
I only blog now and again. This is mainly due to lack of time, lack of desire and generally feeling either tired or rushed off my feet. I get fed up also when I don't have lots of positive things to say. Doing it occ has worked better for me.
It hasn't run its course...it's as you describe it with a loose job description and guarentees no stress or deadlines. I love writing my blog and as I have said before I guess many write to be read and the blog has been a perfect place to free up old notes and ideas...your blog is lovely and I hope you dont ever stop !! Xx
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