Has blogging lost its groove?
Cats: blogs|Lately I’ve noticed a lot of sign-offs and sign-outs from some of my A-Lister bloggers.
It started last year when Chelene the investment banker from New York City signed off Bliss and Bile. That sent shock waves through our little blogging community.
Her blog was funny, smart and consistent in tone and output. I used to visit her just about every day and often left comments.
And then one day, it was over. She said goodbye. It felt like I lost a friend.
More recently Tanya Espanya announced that she’s on sabbatical. Again. I followed Espanya through her pregnancy and shared her joy when Alexander was born. He’s two now. Maybe that explains it.
And Dale. Sweet, funny, observant, David Sedaris-like Dale. His posts were appearing fewer and further between. And recently, he posted a sign off.
Sniff! How dare they? How can the blogosphere continue without these people? What’s happened to the blog?
I wonder if blogs aren’t getting too slow and plodding as attention spans shorten, and social media gets faster and sexier. Facebook is the new blog and Twitter is the new Facebook.
Maybe life is the new blog. Dunno.
GT is coming up on its third anniversary and it’s not going anywhere. I used to post daily, now it’s three or four times a week.
Still, it makes me wonder. What’s up with blogs?
Has anyone else noticed this? Does anyone have any theories on this drop off in blogging?
July 21st, 2009 at 10:14 am
I think that with a lot of things that people do online we go through phases where we’re really into things and do them every day and then our interests change and we focus on other things. So with blogging I think that it starts to become less fun after a while and the frequency decreases.
The big thing also is how much feedback you’re getting, so we’ll often spend time where the people are, so that’s probably why Twitter sucks people in because there is so much more immediate feedback.
But I think that blogs will remain for longer, more considered work and interaction. We still go to see movies in theatres, and there isn’t really much of a technological reason to see films there. We just have more options and that’s what is neat about this wonderful online world. There are lots of places and ways to connect and share now.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:19 am
See my comment on this post on the Twitter!
Kidding. Yeah, I think a lot of blogs are falling off. There is Facebook, there is Twitter, there is wow-I’m-an-online-presence exhaustion.
I imagine the first wave of the web back in the late 90’s experienced a similar expansion and contraction. At least for me, I was excited and publishing stuff online in 1998-1999, then I took a long hiatus until around 2007.
I think we’re just in a trough. I just hope the next peak doesn’t involve Screech from Saved By The Bell.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:20 am
Blogs lost their novelty factor. Everyone has one now. So the people who blog because they love it and don’t need constant attention or to feel cool about it will keep going, others will… not so much.
My brief, speculative, completely uninformed opinion
July 21st, 2009 at 10:24 am
I’m finding new Nova Scotia blogs every week. Some do trail off after blogging for a time, but others crop up to take their place. Some people run out of things to say or realize they’re saying the same things over and over. Other bloggers, particularly those with blogs focused on a topic, post frequently and with interesting things to say. Blogs give people a forum for their self-expression and creativity and too often 140 characters just doesn’t cut it.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
With more and more cool tools and apps to play with, there are more things fighting for our attention. Which means less time to devote to, say, blogging. The appeal of Twitter, for example, is that I can get a thought out quick and dirty. I don’t have to frame it. I don’t have to give detailed thought to my message or thesis and how I develop it, or ensure it is unassailable. I know some days I struggle juggling work with Twitter feeds, LinkedIn commentary, my blog, etc. There will always be those who want detailed, cogent thought, and individuals dedicated to creating it. It may just be in smaller numbers.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:50 am
My brother, the Philosopher King, just quit blogging this morning, and one of my favourite British bloggers quit two days ago. I’m sad to see them go.
July 21st, 2009 at 11:36 am
Yes, its lost its groove. I’ve seen many bloggers come and go (and come back again) in the 4 years I’ve been doing this. I used to post daily, now weekly. Life gets in the way, and also I think seasons dictate readership as well. Summer is always slow, I find. Here’s hoping things don’t die out completely….as I don’t care for Twitter.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Actually no, blogging has not lost it’s groove. What is happening is the wheat is being separated from the chaff. Some folks took up blogging when it was “cool” to do so and they’ve now run out of things to say.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I’ve noticed this too. I’ve heard several bloggers say that Facebook and Twitter take up much more of their time now.
For me, it’s the fact that my blogging led to a writing gig, and much of the time I used to spend finding stories and writing blog posts for S.R.C. I now spend on Arresting Tales.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Dr. Monkey has a point, but some really good bloggers are also slowing down or quitting altogether. Maybe it’s something you can only sustain for so long. My blog will have its two-year anniversary next week, and I went from posting four or five times a week to one or two, but I don’t plan to quit. I’m glad you’re staying put, too.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I was exhausted with Write Procrastinator.
I got bored by The Bad Lieutenant’s Wife.
Cormac Travels has not traveled much of anywhere, because of the economy. Not to mention that Anne gets first dibs on blogging about wherever we go for her Associated Content articles.
Real life does put a damper on blogging. Having something witty to say day in and day out is difficult, and the same rants tend to pop up, over and over again. I mean, even Grant Miller will eventually recycle himself.
Even if you stick with it, having growing blog lists mean that one does not get to post as often and has to work twice as hard to keep up with the blogs on their list.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Oh, the humanity. I’m taking a break while I try and write a book.
Okay, that was a lie. I’m taking a break so I can enjoy naps with my son.
And just sit away from the computer.
I do plan to come back… a newer and improved version.
I’m on facebook a bit more, if only because I poke my fellow bloggies…
Hi guys!
July 21st, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I concur with many of these responses. Life happens, shit happens, Facebook and Twitter and other social network sites happen. Several folks attempt to guilt me for not doing anything with my blog. Yet others think they have the “inside track” on me based on what I’m saying on the web, which makes me crazy. Oddly enough I do own my domain now, and I’m plotting to migrate to Wordpress in the next few weeks. Provided I figure out what the hell I’m doing.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I’ve been sucked into BLIP, but other than that I plan to keep blogging. I’m approaching my 4th year now. I do blog a bit less than I used to, but summer puts spanners in any plan.
Glad that you are staying strong, my dear!
July 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
My blog is nearly five years old. I do find that I run out of things to say and I try not to repeat myself. And more and more my hours of screen time at work exhaust me so much I don’t want to write when I get home. One thing that interests me is that I have maintained the same drop in rate (low) consistently throughout the time. So I have a small but dedicated audience and I probably won’t stop because they’re so loyal.
But I am hopeful that blogging will continue as an artform.
July 21st, 2009 at 11:42 pm
I agree with the “phases/busy modern lives” comments. It’s a very one-sided medium, really. Apart from the ardent repliers … also, life just get’s in the way! Sometimes just living life, rather than documenting/commenting on every aspect of your day, becomes all consuming. The blog is dying. Soon, tweets will rule the blogosphere. #damnIwassureIcouldhavetypethatinunder40characters
July 21st, 2009 at 11:59 pm
I just passed my 4th anniversary. Whether anyone likes it or not, I’m staying put.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:40 am
I’ve started and abandoned a few blogs, but I think I am just fickle…”I’m bored of this”…”I want to write again”…”Not enough privacy!”
Now that I’ve matured however (ahem) I’m here to stay- I hope you are too!
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I read all your blogs, and have for about 6 months now when I noticed an article in the Herlad. I love reading your blog, and hope you keep it up. I’d never be able to have one, I don’t have the time!! The most time I can find is to breeze through the paper and read your blog while I’m at work. I think I would be lost without it!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 am
Summer time is always slow for Blogdom. Everyone is outside, gardening, swimming, and off on vacations and such. Just wait until cold weather brings them all back to the fold.
Just you wait,
Doc
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Chris, yes, print didn’t die when radio cam along and radio didn’t die when TV came along. The medium does dictate the message
Splotchy, well you certainly aren’t losing your groove
Joel, yes blogs have lost their novelty – I can so I will, then I get bored and I don’t anymore… or life gets in the way … or something else.
Ted I didn’t know any NS bloggers till I started going to Info Monkey. It’s great to be closer to the people you communicate with
Mark, I think it is a case of the medium is the message
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Megan, do you think its’ a trend or a co-incidence
Espanya, you are sorely missed, Dale too.
Moxie, hey, long time no see. Missya – looking forward to your WP blog
Barbara, Must get into BLIP, you are always talking of it
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Queenie, I can see why you have a loyal following, you’re blog is brilliant, scathing, honest and a riot.
Darrin, yes, sometimes all you can do is live it, and documenting it becomes too much
Becks, that’s good news to me
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Deepti, I think I’ve been through 3 of your blogs now – hope this one stays
Doc, summer is indeed slow
July 24th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Ashley, thank you. That’s lovely