The iMonk, Michael Spencer, says the blogosphere is boring.
"I’m looking for some diversity in the blogosphere. Instead of reading more Bible commentary, academic ruminations, analyses of the church, condemnations of people who don’t do it our way, barkings about politics or insights into the adventures of homeschool mothers, I’d like to read something completely different"Some of his suggestions:
"I’d like to read blogs written by pastors and church leaders in the third world...I’d like to read a blog by a working anthropologist dealing with issues of religion as a human phenomenon...I’d like to read a blog by someone who is an exceptional teacher of cooking, and relates their cooking to lessons about life and Christian faith...I’d like to read a blog by someone with a lot of money who is giving it away for the Kingdom."These thoughts from the iMonk led me into some thoughts of my own.
Is it true? Are we boring? I think yes. As I am relatively new and have just started really feeling as though I have a "circle" of blog friends; and as one who has just recently begun to feel a sense of belonging, I think I'm not so tired of reading so much of the same thing in the blog world.
But it is true - Almost every blog I read is of the same perspective - mine.
I need that, I need to be validated, I need to hear other voices who echo my struggles, my pain...but I, too, crave diversity.
How about you? Are you boring?
no, i am not boring, and neither or you. restless maybe, but boring, no.
ReplyDeletestart blogging about hot topic issues, controversy,gritty stuff, like sex workers (what's the dif between a porn star and a hooker, and how come porn stars get paid but hookers get arrested?)
On my sitemeter I can tell sometimes how people find me but what they have googled. This is a fascinating peek into the secret lives of cybersurfers, and it is sometimes sordid. Because I've blogged about same-sex stuff I get hits on my site from people looking for porno. I know this because I can see their hit list from their search. Imagine the person browsing through xxx site after xxx site and then they stumble into mine.
That's not boring.
I don't contact them, but I do wonder about them, especially when they're from another country like Dubai or Indonesia. (yes, some of my "sex" hits are from overseas)
I did just join a listserv for dialog between christians an pagans...as a result of contacting the Phil guy.
I hear ya, though. I've noticed the same thing actually. It's human nature to want to talk together with people who are like you.
If you want diversity, if you want to talk to people who go to Burning Man, find out what they are talking about and blog about it; visit other blogs and COMMENT, you lurking queen, you...
go out on a limb. that's where the fruit is anyway (Mark Twain)
{hug!}
we are soooooooo on the same page!!!
Oh, my blog is definately boring. I do that purposely so some great thinker like Michael Spencer doesn't pop in and read it. The expectations would just be too much for me to take. Personally I am glad there are other "boring" bloggers like us. :)
ReplyDeleteI know I'm not boring! :-) I think my point was when we read nothing that is different from our own point of view, we can get boring.
ReplyDeleteI have all kinds of freaky stuff rolling around in my mind right now - not sure where it's all going. And good question! (about the hookers and porn stars)
I'm glad you joined Phils listserv, glad to hook you up there, thought it night interest you. I have been catching up on the archives of his blogs because it's fascinating to me. And especially because of the denom. of the church that booted him.
I have been coming out of my cage, as it were on commenting lately. Thanks for the advice. It's been like I haven't known why I've been blogging all this time, only knew that I had to. Now a "vision" is starting to takes shape for me, just vaguely, but I'm beginning to feel a purpose to all this nonsense.
I'm glad we're on the same page - maybe one day we'll be on the same cover of a book!
Dan - Wow, you're still reading here even after I crossed you? I'm honored ;).
ReplyDeleteAnd your blog is anything but boring...
"Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies....forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes...dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria."
You never know what's going to happen at Dan's blog!
You crossed me? See, I'm so boring I didn't even notice (or else it's some computer term that I'm not familiar with).
ReplyDeleteDan - Sorry - I was kidding about having "crossed you" - although I did sort-of disagree with you on a recent post.
ReplyDeleteSo no, it's not some secret slang terminology.
yup- boring as charged.
ReplyDeleteCindy - I don't think you're boring!
ReplyDelete