Blogs: Rusty Gears of the Internet
Blogs have been around for a long time, there is no doubt about it. They have provided a voice to many who would otherwise be nobody. So long as someone has a computing device and an internet connection, they have the ability to reach millions of people all across the globe (not to say that is a certainty). Your favorite movies, your views on politics, your daily life, your funny outlook on things, all possible to share with others on the internet through these blogs. Except there is something about this paragraph...Ah yes, this is a tired cliche that we have all heard someplace regarding something on the internet.
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| Blogger trying to maintain relevance |
Blogs are no longer the best at what they do, in a lot of ways they have not been for a while. Writing is an important part of human existence, but its importance has definitely been on the decline. Sites like YouTube and Instagram show that people want the information that a blog can provide, but they want it in a neat little package. The walls of text that inhabit the blog world are going to turn away many of the new and future users of the internet. Why stop what you are doing, sit, focus, and read a review of a new video game when you can listen to or skim a review of it? Some bigger blogs/periodicals recognize this and produce some of their content in a more relevant format to coincide with their blogs/articles. Speaking personally, I have observed many popular YouTube and Facebook accounts have roots in blogging, but did not find success until they switched mediums.
Perhaps I am being a little dramatic, I will admit. Blogs were the first to really use this concept in a way that was able to grab people's attention. I have only recently learned about and read blogs. I have compiled a few that grabbed my attention.
#1. TMZ
http://www.tmz.com/?adid=TMZ_Web_Nav_News
Let's start with one that I am not a fan of. TMZ makes me feel dumb. I suppose in my own previously stated problems with blogs, this one does what it can to avoid those problems. But the in-your-face nature style and layout makes me as a reader feeling pandered to. As if the website is shaking keys in front of my face to get my mind numb enough to convince me to click on an ad.
#2. Nerd Fitness
https://www.nerdfitness.com/
This one was an interesting one. I think objectively I would have to say this one succeeded at being a blog in 2018. The title of the blog instantly grew curiosity, the format was simple enough, and each entry or article looked like a nice read. This is exactly what a blog should be, a niche concept or content for a certain type of person that would make that kind of person want to check in for each new entry.
#3. CHEEZburger
https://www.cheezburger.com/
I take back what I just said. This is the ideal blog. All jokes aside, the idea for this blog was genius from its very conception. This is the only blog I found that I recognize from years ago that was not part of some major news network or entertainment company. Its popularity goes to show that even silly old blogs separate from Facebook or Twitter can be successful, so long as the content is enjoyed by being in a format that can compete. (or perhaps people will always want a good laugh)
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