Singing the blogroll blues
You may or may not have noticed that a couple of years ago my blogroll disappeared.
To the reader, blogrolls are a convenience, a shorthand way to find blogs the writer considers worth looking at for one reason or other. For bloggers, they’re a way to tip the hat to other bloggers and send a few readers their way. When I first began to blog seven (7!!) years ago, I drew up a blogroll and added to it every now and then, but I’d never really gone back to clean it up and delete the blogs that had closed down in the intervening time.
Then it disappeared rather suddenly, because blogrolling.com, a tool I’d used to set up my blogroll, disappeared as well. Fortunately, I had previously made a copy of my blogroll. I always meant to reinstall it, but it wasn’t exactly a top priority, and knowing how way leads on to way, I didn’t actually take a look at it till yesterday.
I hadn’t expected that updating my blogroll would be an emotional experience, but it was. I was surprised to find that at least half the blogs were gone. Many of the disappeared ones were written by people I’d actually met in person, back in the heady formative days of the blogosphere, when there was a lot more networking, and wonderful mass meetups like this one hosted by PJ. It was, in short, an exciting and fun time.
Now the political blogosphere is far more entrenched, and that wonderful early energy has settled down. Group blogs like Huffington Post are traffic leaders, the big blogs like Instapundit still endure, but a lot of the smaller and middling-traffic ones have dropped out, and there’s not much up and down movement in the remnants (well, maybe down, but not so much up). As I deleted blogs on the list, I wondered where bloggers were whom I’d not thought of in many years (like the wonderful Vietpundit, whose blog itself has also disappeared from the web and even the wayback machine, so there’s no point in giving you the URL).
So many are gone, and although I know what some of them are doing, I don’t know about most. The ones I do know about are mostly happily ensconced with jobs, family, hobbies; what is otherwise known as “real life.”
But some—the ones that made me saddest of all—have been lost to death. Dean Barnett is the most glaring example, a wonderful blogger and a personal friend whom I met through blogging. And naturally that got me to thinking about FredHJr, beloved commenter here, who died suddenly in June, 2009.
Three years ago. Can it be? Of course; time accelerates lately, doesn’t it? I often wish we had the irreplaceable FredHJr’s opinion on so many things that are happening today.
[NOTE: One of these days the blogroll will actually reappear on this blog, instead of my just talking about it.]
Neo-
Where is this blog on the list of smaller and middling-size ones?
Do you think it symbolic of our times that small and independent are disappearing? Mere flash-in-the-pans?
Don Carlos: you know, I’m not really sure where it is. It’s middling rather than small, but my guess is that it’s smallish-middling. There used to be (and perhaps still are) a bunch of ratings sites where you could look it up, but they didn’t go by traffic—which I think is the best indication—they went by number of other blogs who link you, which is a very poor measure, IMHO, and one that people game regularly.
But I think the disappearances are an organic part of any new endeavor over time. Lots of people leap in at the beginning, but only some can survive, and political blogging also takes a lot of staying power and a lot of time. Few political blogs make any real amount of money compared to the time put in; they are usually a labor of love. And politics can be very, very frustrating.
I miss fred… he was great when it came to opposing the people who were reasonable just to be reasonable… like huxley…
a lot of the blogs went due to the various software changes… a bunch of them went when anonymity became harder… others went when they kept having to be reactivated over left liberal protest causing automatic take down, and so on.
at that point… you say why bother, and go back to trying to live…
the difference between a crazy zealot and a man who tries to help, is that they both may climb up on a soap box with incense burning on their heads…
but the zealot will stand there thick or thin believers or not… while the man, he will try and then give up and let the rest to their fates, and go back to his family and save them
Wow… Dean Barnett. Damm I really miss him. I remember when he would comment occasionally about his health struggles but he was always so optimistic about it that I literally gasped ins surprise/shock when I read of his passing.
And as a side note it was Deans intelligent enthusiasm about Mitt Romney (he knew him personally and worked for his campaign at some point) that has always made me very optimistic about our possible next president. I think of that often.
And my best wishes that your blog remain somewhat middling while still welcoming new commenters. I suggest that we have here a very serious cyber family with many diverse points of view where we oftentimes get to chew some very serious “fat”. Large blogs (super blogs?) become too big to succeed with so many commenters (and trolls) that the interchange of ideas becomes impeded.
As a large blog Instapundit is an exception. It works because it doesn’t engender on-site comments but serves as a watershed to direct the reader to other locations, some of which are blogs just like this.
This, BTW gives me another opportunity to thank you, our hostess, for your time, creativity and effort in offering us this opportunity.
Another factor is that sometimes the blog commenters change and make the blogs less interesting. Places that I used to visit regularly have become once-a-week check-ins because the commenters have become so shrill. You cover various topics that attract a wide range of commenters with personal experiences that really add depth to topics. And, you have fun with us. How many other blogs can generate commments on jello?
“Of course; time accelerates lately, doesn’t it?”
When young, our life is defined by an unwritten future. As we age, it’s increasingly defined by a past carved in stone.
I also want to thank you, and all your commenters, for all that you do. I’ve been reading blogs pretty much since the beggining and from the variety that I used to read I am now down to just you and PJ. I very rarely comment here because usually someone has said what I want to say. I enjoy the comments almost as much as I do the blog, whereas at PJ I can rarely be bothered with the comments. Thanks agin to everyone who contributes.
Emotional? Yeah. Both the realization that time has passed, but more, that people are lost, dead. So focused on life that looking back is like looking down after having climbed to a perch, only… more.
It is so easy to quit blogging. That initial rush of starting is great. I know I have gone through periods where I was sure I would quit. Hurt feelings over misunderstandings (or worse, over perfect understanding but harsh disagreements). I guess we are social animals, and still as vulnerable as babes at times. But too, staying with it takes time, energy, from other pursuits.
Still, I’m glad you went through it. Loves lost are still loves. It is good to know what they were, and sometimes only feeling there loss will do that. I hope the sun is shining where you are. If so, go soak some in. It’s a good nerve tonic. That’ll be five dollars, send it to my secretary. :p
FredHjr was a former marxist as i recall. I’m not sure if he had regrets about ever being on that path, but it sure gave him a wealth of knowledge about what all their upcoming moves would be.
Neo – Reading you everyday is like striking up a conversation with a good friend. Its so much fun to get a smart point of view everyday. Your blog is like that first cup of coffee in the morning, just feels good.
A tip toe through the tulips for me. I came to your blog via ShrinkWrapped back when you, Dr. Sanity, SW, and SC&A were doing your weekly get together that was broadcast by (I think) PJM.
That has been some time back. (2006?)
Of those four blogs that I used to read religiously you are the only one now consistently posting your original writing. Dr. Sanity still posts her own thoughts, but takes occasional breaks from blogging to recharge her batteries. SC&A reposts mostly interesting material from around the media world, seldom doing any original writing. SW has become a sometime blogger as he has moved on to a new professional situation.
I understand how difficult it must be to blog consistently. At one time I believed I had some things to say that were worth saying, but by commenting on blogs, I’ve pretty much run through most of the material. (Yes, I’m a deeply shallow man.)
You have attracted and held a great group of commenters. I learn something new everyday from both you and your commenters. ‘Tis a good thing to keep on learning even though senility approaches. :>}
What disagreements are had are usually thrashed out with arguments from reason and facts rather than ad hominem. That is a valuable thing, IMO.
Your blog is a place where I feel comfortable and recognize many commenters as if they were actual acquaintances. FredHJr had many great insights into the financial goings on when things went south in 2008. He and I saw pretty much eye to eye about the causes and possible remedies. It just doesn’t seem possible he passed away three years ago. He’s gone but not forgotten.
It also doesn’t seem possible that so little has been done to correct the course of our economy in those three years. We’re in a dive after stalling out. Instead of continuing to keep the throttles at idle (With anti-energy policies, regulations, threats of higher taxes, Obamacare, etc.) we should be adding power (Just the opposite of what Obama has been doing) to regain flying speed and start the economy climbing again.
Thanks for having the writing ability, knowledge, and staying power to keep it all together, neo.
Has it been 7 years? Wow. I was in law school then and found your site through Instapundit, I think. Glad you have kept it up!
Neo, thinking of times past I thought of your “If Hilter/Stalin only Knew” posts when I saw this article and the post by Bookwormroom:
“Michelle had her claws out to get Ann, but it quickly backfired and Barack was livid when he heard she had secretly directed the attack,” said the source.
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/revealed-michelle-obama-masterminded-ann-romney-mom-smear
and
http://www.bookwormroom.com/2012/04/23/i-have-a-very-small-quibble-with-thomas-lifson/
JJ makes a good point about consistency, which I am gobsmacked at your consistency, Neo. God bless you. Long may you reign.
Hip hip hurray.
Hip hip hurray.
Hip hip hurray.
Love ya.
Thanks to everyone who’s been coming here for so long, and has so many kind words to say. Sometimes I do get tired of blogging, but obviously not tired enough to stop. Luckily, there’s always something to say (blah blah blah) and new things happening in the world, plus of course the wonderful group of commenters here.
I originally came here for the waters.
I’ve only been visiting regularly for a few months (I think), although I can remember running across this blog before. I like the calm, reasonable view of things political, as well as the seasoning with posts on the arts etc., without which I probably wouldn’t read that regularly, not being all that politically minded.
I read in some tech venue recently that blogging in general has declined somewhat. My own very small-time blog, which I started in 2006, has fewer regular readers now than a couple of years ago, and I’m pretty sure Facebook is a significant contributor to the decline. Some of the people who used to get involved in lively discussions on my blog, but no longer do, are very active on Fb.
Blogging is a labor of love, as there is seldom much money in it. Many bloggers who had worthwhile things to say stopped because the time/energy/money balance was not good for continuing putting in the hours blogging.
I appreciate Neo’s endurance.
As other s have stated, the comments add to the entertainment.
I found Mac’s comment about Facebook taking away blog commenters to be interesting. I hadn’t thought of that.
J.J. formerly Jimmy J. Says:
April 23rd, 2012 at 7:36 pm
“A tip toe through the tulips for me. I came to your blog via ShrinkWrapped back when you, Dr. Sanity, SW, and SC&A were doing your weekly get together that was broadcast by (I think) PJM.”
That was the Sanity Squad on Blog Talk Radio. Bob from One Cosmos also sat in a few times, though he was never a regular. I’m not sure if Pajama Media even existed yet.
Bloggers routinely complain that their blogs don’t make any money, but they refuse to take the steps to actually make money. Having money is cool but making money is gauche. It’s a strange attitude that is not at all restricted to the Left. You can’t be snotty towards advertising and expect to make money from advertisers.
You are in New England. Have you ever considered being an advertising affiliate of Vermont Teddy Bear or L L Bean? You play music videos on the blog. Is it gauche to sell the song from Amazon, or is it a curtesy to the artist for using their music?
Bloggers will put an awful lot of effort into their posts, but they aren’t comfortable putting that sort of effort into the advertising. Too much advertising could certainly make a mess and alienate readers, but you can’t be this passive and expect to prosper.
Tom: there are some realities about advertising and blogs that you need to know.
First of all, I already am an Amazon Affilitate, and I promote that fact on my blog regularly.
Secondly, I used to have ads through PJ. PJ ended that arrangement with its bloggers and I looked into having ads by myself, but what had happened around the blogosphere was that ad companies had realized that, in order to make any money off blogs, it only paid if the blog had very high traffic. Mine does not, and I could probably make so very little money off ads that it literally does not pay to have them, especially because they detract from the look and feel of the blog. So I have the Amazon widgets (several of them, on the right sidebar) and twice a year I take up a collection, which gives me some money.
I have read up quite widely on monetizing blogs. It is much easier to do this with blogs that are not political, and that can more easily tie into products. The only products I regularly promote are books, which have the tie-in to Amazon. If you go around to political blogs, you will note that very few except the very high-traffic ones have ads. Sometimes there’s a space for ads that’s blank. And the blogs that do have ads and are not high-traffic probably get a total of a few bucks a year from the ads.
There’s nothing gauche about making money. Nor do I complain about not making money. I’m grateful for whenever someone buys from Amazon through this blog, or donates. But the blog is mostly a labor of love in terms of time put in versus money earned.
Right you are, Tom. I just entered The Sanity Squad in Bing and presto:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sanitysquad
Amazing to realize that most everything put on the internet is FOREVER. Well, almost. Dang, wish I hadn’t made so many typos and spelling goofs.