A Thinking Blog?

Posted: Saturday, March 24, 2007 by Travis Cody in
44

WARNING: This post evolved into a bit of a rant.

Terra Shield at The Secret Back Up Blog says that my blog is one of five that makes her think. I'm truly honored.

Along with that designation comes The Thinking Meme. I've seen this interesting meme making the rounds at some blogs I visit.

So now I'm supposed to follow the rules, the first of which is to post the rules:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2.Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme
The Thinking Blogger Award.
3. Optional rule is to display the 'Thinking Blogger Award', which you can get by checking out the link in rule #2.

I went back and read the original post, just to get an idea what this is all about. The first thing I noticed was that this blogger is blogging for a reason completely different than the reason I started blogging. Another thing I noticed is that the blogger requests donations. That's fine, but it's not why I blog.

The next thing I noticed was what I hoped was an unintentional insult to folks who blog because they choose to share their thoughts, or their writings, or their photography, or their funny stories, or their musical likes, or their forays into dating, or their adventures in child raising. There seems to be a dig at memes in general, and a suggestion that memes somehow are not "worthy" blog topics.

Then there was this quote, "Please, remember to tag blogs with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all - blogs that really get you thinking!" OK. But then there was this quote from the meme originator in the comments section, "I hope this meme will encourage, even if a tiny little bit, for better content among other blogs."

"Better content"? I beg your pardon?

Got some news for you - there's nothing wrong with the content of my blog. It suits me, and it's full of things I felt like posting when I posted them. If I want to post three days worth of videos from groups that recorded 30-40 years ago, well then I damn well will! And if I want to write a treatise on what I think is wrong with the government, then I'll do that too. And if I want to post a string of silly words, then no one is going to tell me that my content is inferior.

I'll post a full recap of Dancing With the Stars and I'll post my thoughts on American Idol. And you know what? I'll read blogs that do that too. And enjoy them and post encouraging comments.

I'll also read military blogs. And blogs from college students trying to get through the day. And blogs from story writers and poets. And blogs from comedians. And sometimes I'll read a blog for information or for discussion or to see what the "other" side might be thinking.

The point is this - when I go cruising through the bloggosphere, I have no particular intent in mind. I enjoy stumbling across something funny or profound or socially relevant or just plain silly. I don't need to read an "important" post all the time. Sometimes I just want someone to make me relax.

I visit an assortment of blogs that cover the bases for me. And I participate in memes.

As for my own blog, if something I write makes a visitor think, well that's a happy by-product. I don't set out to write posts that will change the world. Or change anyone's mind. That's not my gig y'all.

I'm a writer. I'm a music lover. I enjoy American Idol and Dancing With the Stars. I have a goofy cat. I'm in love with a beautiful woman. I really enjoy classic cars. I like to read. I'm buying a new condo. Sometimes my job sucks. I like CAKE. That's my life and that's what I'll write.

If that content isn't good enough for you, then click the Next Blog button at the top and move along. There are plenty of blogs out there that have what you want. There's no need to denigrate a whole class of bloggers, even if it was unintentional.

Terra, I'm grateful to you for listing Trav's Thoughts as a blog that makes you think sometimes. This isn't a rant against that. It's a rant against someone who would have the audacity to suggest that "better content" is needed in the bloggosphere. I say there's room for all types of posts and all types of bloggers.

There's no right way to blog y'all. It is what each individual blogger makes of it.

Every blog listed in my sidebar has made me think at one time or another, and they've made me laugh and relax and feel like a member of a community. There are many other blogs that are not in my links yet that do the same.

To all of you, I say thank you.

End of rant.

44 comments:

  1. Tisha! says:

    You said it sweetness!

    My blog is first and foremost for ME, yeah that's right. It helps me to clear my head and get rid of excess energy. It's a personal blog gosh darn it and I won't be held hostage by anyone. It's one of the reasons I don't do memes or PayPerPost.

    Sure I want to make the world a better place but some days I just don't feel like a "Super Hero" LOL by the way I am waiting for your creation to substitute the baby oil Professor!

    I don't need anyone creating pressure...that which I started the blog in the first place to escape!

    I share your sentiments!

    BRAVO!

    Hugz
    Tisha

  1. Wow... that was err... fierce?

    Anyway, your blog encourages the brain cells to move about (well, mine anyway) because of the variety of content it offers...

    And...I actually thought that original post was kinda posted by a blog snob of sorts... :D

  1. tiggerprr says:

    Hi there!

    You said this very well! I always wonder about those people out there who judge other blogs as if they aren't worthy of space on the internet. I think bloggers are for the most part, brave souls that put at least part of what would go in their personal diaries out there for all to see.

    I write for me, and if I make y'all laugh or think or say, "Awwww!" from time to time, then I'm happy. :) (I'm even happy when you guys disagree with me on Melinda's song choice! ;) LOL)

  1. and there you go, Travis, you made us think, see, Terra knew what she was talking about. That was the point. An excellent rant with valid points in it. Great job. Now back to our regularly scheduled Trav's thoughts.

  1. Mags says:

    Trav, I could write forever about this topic. I agree with you 100%. While I am excited when other people like my blog and when I get good reviews, it's not why I blog.

    I blog for me. And some days I blog about nothing. Simply because I can say things here that won't make my IRL friends roll their eyes. And sometimes it's boring stuff. But it's real, and it's my life, and therefore, I take offense to some telling me it's not good content.

    Oh...so much more to say. I'll stop though. I'm glad that you posted this.

    Thanks.

  1. trav i like cake too! ha ha ha ha ha.....

    smiles, bee

  1. Gail says:

    Rant away, honey. Rant away...

    Well said.

  1. TopChamp says:

    Nice one Travis!

  1. Tisha my sweet,

    Creation pressure...yes! That's an excellent expression. The one over-riding characteristic of a blog and the act of blogging is choice. We choose what we write, and we choose whether to write.

    I refuse to appeal to any "powers that be" in the bloggosphere. I get enough of that at my job.

    BTW - I have a team of diabolical scientists working on the baby oil alternative. Muaaahahahahahhaah!

  1. Terra,

    Yes...I did get a little excited by this. I truly was honored that you chose me as a blog that makes you think.

    But when I read that original post I just couldn't get over the arrogance. That original blogger really touched a nerve.

    Thanks again!!

  1. Tiggerprr,

    Agreed. I get in all kinds of moods when I'm roaming about in the bloggosphere.

    Sometimes I want things that make me go hmmmm. Other times I want to laugh. Other times I'm humbled by the stories I read. It's just a wide range of emotions and mindsets, which is what makes this entire exercise so addictive and interesting.

    BTW - I really enjoy your weekly reviews of Idol.

  1. Dub,

    Thanks Sarge. In this particular case, my intent was to make readers think.

    You represent our freedoms - the basic ones outlined in the Bill of Rights as well as the ones we infer for ourselves. We are free to speak, and free to choose, because of men and women like you.

    I'd like for the original poster who started this Thinking Blog meme to understand and appreciate that. And that there are several ways a blogger makes you think - whether the post is a weighty one on issues or just a simple story of a person's day.

    Take care and be safe.

  1. Mags,

    I had so many more things to say too. But I also realized that the original poster is blogging for a completely different reason. And the person's point, within that context, was probably valid.

    I took exception to painting the entire blogging population with that brush, which is what the OP seemed to be doing.

    And now I'm thinking about CAKE again!!

    Cheers!

  1. Bee,

    I have a huge bear hug for you my dear!! You are so charming and Sarge is a lucky man!

  1. Gail,

    Thanks doll. But I think I'm done for the moment.

    Big hug!

  1. TopChamp,

    Well hello there and welcome back!

    Thanks for the encouragement.

  1. All of the reasons you blog is why I visit you, Trav. Your thoughts are your own, and while there might be days I don't share those thoughts, there are other days when a visit here is just what I need.

    Your blog IS your own; it's for you. It's your world where others join you and are free to come and go.

    Thanks for being who you are.

  1. Hello, have travelled over here for the first time; nice to find someone who likes cake and American Idol. People find it hard to understand how/why I can love Dickens, Shakespeare and American Idol, so I like what you are saying...

    Great rant, think there is an odd meme emerging along the lines of 'all bloggers are equal, but some are more equal than others'. Big fat bogey to that - whose blogs are they anyway...

  1. TopChamp says:

    You juggled me leprechauns! I'm so happy x x

  1. umm Travis... for this post you made us all think...

    I have seen this meme and I thought it was very cool... but after reading your "rant" I went over, for the first time to the original site and felt, as you did that his seems to me to be more of a diabolical plot to make people feel good while the originator giggles and snickers....

  1. Songbird,

    That point, about being free to come and go as we choose, is such a key issue.

    If the content of a blog you visit doesn't work for you, it's your choice to return or not. But no one gets to say all content must be one thing or another.

    Thanks for the support!

  1. Miss-cellany,

    Thanks for stopping by. I find no issue with passions for Shakespeare and Idol. They are vastly different entertainments, but an appreciation for one shouldn't disqualify enjoyment of the other.

    And you've hit upon the exclusive attidue in that meme, which is another thing that rubbed my last nerve raw.

  1. TopChamp,

    Heehee!! You are most welcome.

  1. V,

    I thought it was cool too, the first time I saw it. But as you say, upon further review it seems off.

    I'm developing a certain attitude about blogging. There's no right way to do it. I'm enjoying many different kinds of blogs and learning a lot about people.

    This is still a very enjoyable experience for me, and I'm not letting this kind of attitude ruin it for me.

    I respect those who do PayPerPost and other things with their blogs. But as long as Blogger allows me do to this without the pressure to advertise, then I will continue to do my thing in my way.

  1. Unknown says:

    You're so cute when you're thinking!

    :snog snog snog:

  1. Janna says:

    Never apologize for a good rant. I agree with you 100%. Thanks for being here, thanks for writing, and thanks for helping to take my mind off what has been a very bad day.
    Love ya.

  1. Amen, brother, amen!

    I blog because I enjoy it. Sometimes I want to think, sometimes I want to write about something stupid, sometimes I want to write an ad to make me money, but whatever I write about is what I want to write about, not what I feel I should write about or worry about what others will think...will my blog make you think? Maybe sometimes, others times probably not. Blogging has become a source of relaxation for me, a way for me to make new friends, a way for me to get some of my writing out there...but in the end a way for me to enjoy myself, not to have to worry about what someone else is thinking about me. Ok, let me stop here or I'll end up with a rant...eh, maybe I already did...sorry...you already said it....

  1. Sandee says:

    Well said. There are some very irrogant folks out here who think what they do is appropriate blogging, and the rest of us should just hit the delete button on our blog.

    I'm with you. You have to love what you are doing and others that enjoy the same with show up. It's all about having some fun and meeting some really nice people. Period. I applaude you.

  1. Dana,

    Snogs back atcha darlin.

  1. Janna,

    Sorry you had a bad day darlin. Glad I could give you a little brightness.

    Be of good cheer because tomorrow is another day when all things are possible.

  1. John,

    Rant away my friend. That's part of what this post was for.

    So many of us are in agreement. I hope that the word gets out to those other bloggers that it still takes all kinds to make the world go round.

    They should leave us to do our thing, and we will leave them to do ours. And if ever the twain shall meet, we can do so with respect and consideration.

  1. Comedy,

    Welcome to my place and thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your thoughts.

    I'll be by your blog the next chance I get.

  1. Anonymous says:

    i hadn't really read the original blog when i linked it just kinda grazed through it. I did notice some of the snobiness of it and what some other bloggers were linking to which is why i choose some of the blogs i did. They make you think only in a not so political factual way. I like them for that. I like what you had to say. Im not one of those fancy bloggers myself;)

  1. Julie says:

    **sits back and observes the man in action**

    Okay dear....did you say something about wanting someone to make you relax?

    **giggles and raises hand**

    Pick me, pick me!!

  1. Anndi says:

    Some awards and tags come with a ransom that I'm not willing to pay.

    Well said dear... but then, you know my feelings on people feeling superior or blogging because it's Wednesday and on Wednesday "they (the readership) expect me to"... it's pretty liberating to leave a blog alone for a few days...

    HSGRs

  1. Wolfbaby,

    I applaud your decision to select blogs that make you think based on your own interests, and not following someone else's edict for what makes a "thinking" blog.

    Well done.

  1. Julie,

    That's right baby. Right up on my soapbox I did climb. Didn't even hurt myself when I got down.

    Of course, my soapbox is only 2 inches high.

    Heehee!!

  1. Ann,

    It most certainly is liberating. And you have spoken eloquently on this issue.

  1. Tisha! says:

    Total R-E-F-U-S-A-L!!!

    sounds like a movie flick!!

    diabolical scientists ooooooo!

  1. Liz Hill says:

    This is why I love you my friend --so exquisitely put---and my thoughts exactly

    *It's my blog and I'll play if I want to... play if I want to...*

    That's the POINT of a frickin blog!!!

    You inspire me sugar--thank you so much for all of the help and support you have given me

    Smooch

  1. I'm going back right now to re-read the original blogger's intent. I remember blinking at it when I first read it myself (Dr. Anonymous tagged me for the award).....Re-reading now.
    Thanks for making me think about it again and by the way, I loved this rant!

  1. cathy says:

    may this blog snob be doomed to wander the blogsphere finding blogs about nothing but fundamental religion and how to darn woolly socks:)
    You see Travis I'm much crueller than you (evil laughter).

  1. I'm a little late coming to this 'rant' party, but hey, I'm so with you and the others! This thinking blog meme is making me irp...tried my best to ignore it...tried to pretend this wasn't junior high school again in the blogosphere...but this morning, I decided to google and see if there was anyone else out there feeling the way I do! Lo and behold, one of my favorites, Tisha!, was the first to weigh-in with her thoughts. I really don't have it in for 'memes' in general..it's the stupid tagging part which is dumber than dumb, and the gushing thank-you's from those that have been tagged! Puhlllease, someone stop this madness~

  1. Here to read this from Janna's. Now I don't feel so good about my Thinking Blogger Award. Good post though.