Are Blogs Dying A Slow Death?

I started my blog back in March of 2009. 

It was at the suggestion of my wonderful "Bubb" who impressed upon me the need for an outlet both for my intellect and my creativity.  Plus, I secretly think he was hoping if I was writing about stuff, then I wouldn't be constantly bombarding him with it ;-)

When my blog first started, I was averaging 50 readers a day.  That was all due to the lovely Brenton over at Aussielicious (link in sidebar) who was gracious enough to promote my (then) new blog. 

At it's height, due to advertising and cross linking with other blogs, I was averaging approximately 1500 readers a day.

Now, I average 400-500 a day.

Now, I am not an attention whore.  (No - really I am not).  Yes I am codependent and needy, but that's just with Bubb.  And my blog has never been about a means for external gratification or validation, because the blog has been and always will be an outlet for things of MY interest, not others.  It is an expression of me after all.

So I have to ask.  Where has everyone gone? 

Is it Twitter?  Is it Snapchat? Are personal blogs just passé now?  Are the only truly trafficked blogs the ones with up to date LGBTQ news; lots of porn; political analysis; and/or celebrity gossip and happenings?

I am keeping this intentionally short because I would like to hear what OTHERS think.  ESPECIALLY MY BLOGGER FRIENDS.  Sorry for the caps - but I don't want them to miss out on this one.

So let's get this conversation started.

Thanks all.

Oh - and whilst the blog is primarily about me and my interests, I want you all to know that if only 5 of you visit for the rest of the blogs life - and it will be here for a long time - I appreciate each and every one of you.  I love doing this.

Shalom and blessing to all.

Damien
xox

................A little Vid from Me................................

..PLEASE HELP ! - I need design input...........

I am kinda not liking the look of my blog and seek input on its design.

The templates at Blogger are very limited - but does anyone know of ways to design your own or download MORE templates into Blogger?

All thoughts welcomed and appreciated.

Damien

On a lighter note................ and what is to come.

It's been pointed out to me that at first skimming of this blog, it seems negative.

Well, I would actually point out that whilst it may not be very polite at times I don't think it's necessarily negative, but it's an interesting observation.

What I would say is that I am commenting on things that to me are very negative - smoking, talentless people whose mediocrity is being celebrated, misplaced societal priorities. To me, these are things worth commenting on.

Unfortunately, due to the not so positive nature of these things, my comments can't be positive.

So, why do I choose to comment on these things.

I think we should. Sadly, as a society we seemed to have embraced mediocrity. If we look at the generic actor / singer / celebrity, we are confronted by those people who really aren't worth the cost of a movie ticket / CD / i-tune / event ticket.

So why do we put up this? When it comes to politicians we don't. We vote them out.

I wish we could do this culturally. We wouldn't have Lohan or Sandler or any of the others who seriously do not deserve the ridiculous sums of money paid to them.

After all - If a man suddenly discovered the cure for cancer, do you realise that he would have to wait in line behind Lindsay Lohan at the Ivy in Los Angeles simply because she is Lindsay Lohan?? And yet, this is precisely what would happen to a leading world scientist if he/she went to the Ivy.

This is why I comment on pop culture. That's why there are many blogs that comment on popular culture - because it's seriously fucked up.

It is by challenging the popular norm that constructive change can occur.

Derek's comment on my hate mail DID help me realise the blog HAS been a bit negative of late, mainly because I have been in a somewhat negative mind set lately.

So.... thank you Derek. YOUR comment was thought provoking.

The hate mail was simply silly.

Okay all - coming up on the blog will be some new profiles, my first foray into amateur photography as I play with my new camera, yes - more commentary on popular culture, and a whole lot more.

So remember to check back now and then because you never know just WHAT might be here :)

Thanks all

Damien.

.

....HE'S BACK !!! ......

Little Miss Hater is back :)

I ***know*** I probably shouldn't be giving this guy so much attention - it's exactly what the haters love - but it's like passing an accident on the road, you can't help yourself.

Here's the latest.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "My First Hate Mail :)...............":

I think the point was......

If you don't like said performer's music, the actor's movies, the reality star's programs, the media coverage of any socialite....don't listen to it, don't buy it, don't watch it, don't read it...are you following this? DON'T SPEND YOUR MONEY ON THEIR LESS THAN QUALITY PRODUCTS.

Complaining about them when they have EVERY right to do what they are doing, when you yourself have the choice to spend your money elsewhere, just makes you look like another bitter loser with a blog.

Happy Birthday, go eat some more cake.

P.S. What is even funnier than your blog is that you are criticizing American celebrities on a blog from New Zeland!! How about your focus on your own media shit stains........oh wait......you cant.....YOU DON'T HAVE ANY. The pop culture in your country is imported almost entirely from the U.S. Now that is what I call funny........kisses.

I love the total absence of spell check but that's okay.

The really funny thing is he ticked the "post follow up comments" box AND came back to see if i said anything LOL.

I am ALMOST convinced it's kicked-link blog ... but could it be that I got my first D-Lister reading the blog? He came from a reading a blog that I know a few D, C & B celebs do visit..

Oh - And being part American I will criticise whoever the hell I want to :)

So ...... will there be a THIRD comment???? LMAO.

This is better than comedy....

***UPDATE*** - yes he came back. But he won't be coming back any more - I'll miss him. I thought we really had something starting there *tear*.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "My First Hate Mail :)...............":

And I will follow my own advice by not reading this cheesy blog. It was suggested that I check it out in the first place.

I've read 5th grade term papers that were more interesting, more thought out, more informative than anything I've seen here.

kisses x 2


PS Regular blogging will resume later today - still moving house. Plus I wouldnt DREAM of raining on haters parade by relegating him to second post for a while. :)

.

My First Hate Mail :)...............

Here's a comment someone left this morning.....................

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "WTF - Please .... can these people go away... just...":

Seems like you are just a bit angry there buddy-as if you are someone who can speak from any authority in telling others to get lost. What nerve you have I mean who the fuck are YOU dude? A big fat NOBODY that's who...can you actually deny this?

And as a first time visitor here I find your blog to be pretty LAME and generally uninteresting at best. But you keep trying there sophmore, practice makes perfect and maybe you'll have a blog that is worth reading someday...

That will show me to follow links....ugh!

Wow - what can one say to something like this???? Lets give it a go shall we.

Firstly - It's my blog - I can do / say / be whatever I wish. ***pokes tongue out mirroring mature view of above mentioned comment***

Secondly - I'm a fat nobody - not a BIG fat nobody - no real need to use both descriptors there buddy. One's enough.

Thirdly - as someone who pays to see movies, pays to buys CD's, purchases music online - yeah... I can tell these no talent fucktards to get lost - I want to spend my money on quality.

Fourthly - It's my blog :)

Lastly - You appear to be just another poorly educated bitter individual who hides behind the safety of the "Anonymous" tag knowing that they can say whatever they choose to and never be challenged by it. PS Where's your blog mate?

Yeah I'm a sophomore (correct spelling) and yeah my blog has a long way to go - but guess what - it isn't for you - it's for me - and given the positive feedback I get - I'm going to keep going with this - if for no other reason than to giggle at you Mr Anonymous.

Hate mail - it's what you get when they can't form constructive criticism.

And that's Mr Anonymous' 2 Cents Worth - welcome to the wonderful world of blogging :)

PS - I wonder if Mr Anonymous is behind the blog-link that I took off the other day? Hmmm.....

.

Aaaahhh ..... Bloggers...

Now that is funny.............

*pic courtesy of Simple Answers to Complex Questions...*