Wow, son I hope not. I truly try to be me. Completely me. Infact, the last blog I wrote, I was afriad I was going to get told “don’t get too personal”. I cannot help it. you know that is who I am. I like saying what is on my mind and being real. i really hope if I stop being real, someone, like you, would tell me. I think I understand what you are saying. I do want people to read my blog, but it really is to me a way of voicing what I feel in hopes that someone maybe feels the same, or opens my eyes to something different. I have had comments from people on things that have truly helped me. Thank you for this post, Bro, it really made me think.
Love you, Mom

Thanks for the slap in the face.

I needed that.

Well put, Brody. Well put.

Maybe I have posted this here before… Can’t remember. Sorry if I have. It’s the beginning of my article on why I have a blog.

When asked if blogs are valuable at all, Dr. Carl Trueman says:

Few strengths. It’s all too anarchic. I think fun and information sharing are the best it can do. Weaknesses: feeds narcissism; allows any old nutcase to present themselves as a serious player in theological and ecclesiastical discussion.

Certainly Dr. Carl has a point here. Blogging often can and does feed pride. Do I frequent my hit counter too often? Sadly, the answer probably is, “yes”. The blog can be a meter of fluctuating self-worth as you observe who is linking to you and who and how many people come to your blog. This is can be a serious form of addictive self-idolatry and needs to be fought at all costs. I have found that taking a blog fast is a good means to fight this sin of pride through blogging. It can be a serious time waster as well. Often I feel the nag in my soul that I am missing out on something important if I don’t frequent my Google Reader enough. This sense of urgency can be addictive and I can feel the need to “check in” too much.

Let me say this as well by way of caution. If you find that you read more blogs than good books, that is most likely a problem. For the most part, good books have been tested by time, publishers, editors and years of research and thinking. Most blogs have not. As Carl says above, “any other nut-job can get a blog”. Though there certainly are nut-jobs that write books, there are way more of them that have blogs simply because it is so much easier to acquire a blog. Keep this in mind as you read blogs.

yeah… hold on a second while i remove your foot from my rear.

i’m definitely guilty of this.

i hope i don’t fall into this. i don’t think i post to much about me just because my life isn’t that interesting. there are times that i have vented before but i try not to do that very often. i like to post things that i have heard from church or that have affected me in other ways. I guess the main reason i started my blog was i was hoping that i could pass on something that Jesus had done in my life and hopefully it will touch someone elses life.

I for sure fall into this at times… I mean, why do I get sad when my readership falls down? In the grand scheme of things, numbers on a random web page don’t really make an impact on my life… I’m going to keep posting on both my blogs, because I like it, and there are a few real people out there who actually care and that’s what matters…

I often wonder how my blog would be different if I didn’t have a stat counter. The answer is I don’t know. Which means, in essence, everything you said was right on. Well done.

I think the bigger issue here is WHY we do what we do. Numbers for the sake of numbers is narcissism. Numbers for the sake of doing something meaningful can create a movement - like sponsoring 500 kids through a trip to Uganda or raising money to build a water well. Those things happen with readers and numbers.

Put it in the terms of the artists you and I both work with. I believe you do what you do because you believe there is something worthwhile to be heard/shared by those artists. The goal of most of those artists is to get people to hear that music. Blogs can be the same thing. Some people are ‘experts’ and some people just play one on TV. Some people know more about a subject because they have lived and/or studied about that. I want to hear that voice and I think we are smart enough to avoid those who are just posing as experts.

However, I am not so naive to think that all people are going after numbers for noble reasons but one broad brush the other way is not accurate either.

All that being said, I really think you should go read my blog and link to me RIGHT NOW!

There probably isn’t anyone more narcissistic than me, but the blogging world is a good place to rally up prayers when you need them the most. Sometimes it’s difficult to meet christians who are on fire for Christ out in the real world depending on where you live, but there’s always a caring individual who is willing to support you in prayer even though they’ve never met you, just because you’re their brother or sister in Christ. I think that’s what I really love about blogging. I will pray for others and they will pray for me.

I’d love to hear what set off this post in the first place. There must be a good story we’re not being told…here in public…one you could share with me and Brian in, say, your yard some afternoon…where you’re able to be more authentic.

Oddly, I have a post in the can already about that there word “authentic”, by the way. When it hits, don’t anybody go thinking it’s a reaction to this provocative post by Brody at all.

Oh, and great picture.

I’ve been blogging off and on since 2003 or 2004. I might have some readers, but I don’t know because I don’t get comments, and I don’t look at statistics.

Do I care if people read? Yes and no. I’d like people to read, but it doesn’t matter all that much relative to other things in my life.

I’m not sure if I fall under this. I hope not. While I do keep the stat meter and that sorta thing on my site, I’m not doing it to compete or see how many people I can get to stop by. I find it entertaining just to see who’s visiting and where they’re from. As you can tell from my stats, my site isn’t what you’d call a “high traffic or hot comodity” site, and I don’t care at all that it’s not. I’m doing something I enjoy doing. I hope this doesn’t come off as selfish b/c that’s not the intention.

I started a blog because to me it’s kinda like a journal. I’ve always enjoyed journaling. This is just a different way of doing it.

If someone finds something that I post useful, insightful, or meaningful to them, that’s great. I hope they’re blessed by it. If they think what I say is stupid, or they don’t agree with what I write, or they just don’t stop by at all, well that’s great too. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. I’m not playing to anyone. I post what I want to post.

On the flip side of that, I enjoy looking at other people’s blogs because I like seeing and reading about how others live, their experiences, interests, struggles, and successes to name a few.

There are several blogs that I’ve come across that I can relate to and visit more often than others. Then there are those I simply just either keep up with from time to time and/or after looking at them, I just pass by and don’t go back to.

These are some really good questions you’re posing here Brody. It certainly makes one think about why they’re doing this “blog-thing” and perhaps with what intentions.

a-

Well im glad to see alot of these reactions. it makes me feel better about general feel out there from other readers.

I write because I like to write. It is both cathartic and fun, if that is possible… it is if you are a tad morbid. If I don’t do something creative - good or bad - every day, I get downright depressed.

It also helps me to lighten up and gives me a place to not be so critical about my writing. Sometimes I force myself to leave it a mess. I guess in the end, I try not to take my blogging self too seriously.

Also, if I look at my stats more than 2 times a week. I punch myself in the crotch. That’s the deal I’ve got going to keep my stupid blogpride in check.

I think you write stuff like this to get readers to comment.
Now you are one of them.
It’s in all of us.
Stop reading blogs you think suck and you won’t have to complain anymore.

Since my blog is where I post my poetry, it’s authentically me, because I write as a hobby, for myself, but I have the opportunity to share it with others as well.

And as for really blogging, I do it as almost a journal of sorts, to get out thoughts I have on something important that I might like to share. I like to think that I’m myself wherever I am, even when I’m blogging.

Brian - “like sponsoring 500 kids through a trip to Uganda or raising money to build a water well. Those things happen with readers and numbers.”

That’s exactly it. It’s quite literally my job to get the stats up on the blogs of artists that I am working with. I have to be thinking about that because if I don’t there’s no point in my job. I agree with you that if there is a purpose for the numbers it’s legit. I still think there needs to be a level of authenticity while getting those numbers but finding a balance is the key there.

Walker- How bout a hug? Thanks for the comment though I never mentioned anything about comments. I don’t care if I have 1 comment or 72 comments. This post was about links and stats. Both of which I have no guarantee of getting by posing on this topic. Seriously though, thanks for stopping by.

I’m pretty sure I don’t fall into this category, as I’ve only clicked on the stats button maybe 3 times since I started my blog a full human gestational period ago.

I began blogging simply because I had several friends who had blogs that I loved to read, and it seemed like a fun thing to do. Once in a while, I’ll have a cause, questions, or challenge that I hope people will respond to. Most of the time, I’m simply enjoying putting myself out there as a way for family/friends to stay connected (and to make new contacts/friends).

I love reading blogs (and take most of them with a grain or two of salt) and comments son them.
I have noticed over the past couple of years that there are getting to be more and more blog comments that are VERY similar (suspiciously as if they were written by the same person). I find this disturbing.
I also find it disturbing that “news” items from the Conservative home page appear verbatim as “blogs.”

Hi Brody-

Great post as always! I pray on behalf of my genuineness as well as you and others who are seeking to remain realistic. I love writing “the old fashion way” but also treasure sharing any treats from the Lord with anyone in the cyberworld as He leads…

Blessings.

Shake it up, Brody! Great post.

I often tease CM that she checks our stats too much, but I’m just as guilty. I hate pride and I reeeeeally don’t want the numbers to be about pride. Maybe part of it is and I need to check myself. But I feel there’s a legit part to our number crunching.

I LOVE reaching people and I love meeting new people. I’m certainly the social director of our friends - always organizing parties or events for people to have fun with.

God has put in me the desire to impact people’s lives, even if it’s just across computer screens. To entertain, challenge, or encourage them.

For us, our blog isn’t cathartic or a journal. It’s solely for people to enjoy. That’s why we make stupid videos or dorky photoshops. I love to create that stuff, but honestly, I don’t think I would do it if I knew no one would see it. Is that attitude wrong?

Basically, we want our blog to be an entertaining website that people feel like they’re a part of. And we want to reach as many people as possible. Pride is a clear danger, but I don’t think the desire to reach lots of people is prideful in itself.

I feel everything you’re saying and I’ve seen it. It takes guts to say it. Thanks for being real.

And I think it’s way cool how your mom calls you ‘Bro’.

I think you’re right about a lot of people. I will admit that I have checked stats and still do, although less and less than I used to when I started.

Maybe it’s cause I don’t have a lot of readers? I dunno.

I do think it’s true that people just want to get the most readers as possible. I know I have friends who have ’spammed’ their address book telling people to subscribe to their blog, or are always looking for a way to link to it. I feel dirty/sheepish even thinking about doing that, and I haven’t.

I can definitely see it as a ‘competition’ for some to get the most readers and beat their chests about it.

I hope people would be interested in the things I write about and what I have to say. I hope that people keep coming back for more info. I think the most important thing though, and I hope it’s true, is that I share stuff worth sharing and that people would be interested in reading. That through reading what I write about people will maybe learn a little bit about what I’m interested in, or maybe see a different side of me that they didn’t know.

I guess that’s being authentic, and I hope that’s the case with me.

Brody - What a blessing to read this post. I have actually been praying about this a lot. I had been feeling for quite ahwile that the Lord wanted me to open myself up to blogging. I really didn’t understand why and felt that visiting or supporting others was fine, but blogging probably wasn’t for me. After praying for a time I decided I’d step out and attempt to do it as unto Him (even though I was still like, “huh?”). I suppose it sounds silly, but I asked God to lead me with everything from my title, to the layout, the content, extras, etc. Perhaps that was just because I was blog clueless, but I hope it was more that my heart wanted to do it His way over mine. Anyway, He was very clear with me personally (I’m just talking about my experience here NOT a blanket statement in any way), and let me know I was to keep it very simple, clean, and to add no extras at all for tracking or stats or such. There wasn’t to be a set “ME” plan for posts. No expectations, just obedience(again, I’m just sharing my new experience here and I don’t do this for business and such - so I get there’s a big difference with that end). Oddly enough I felt that He didn’t even want me to tell anyone about it ’til a few days ago. It was kind of like it was our little secret at first.
I guess my belabored point in sharing this is to say, yes… I believe God desires for us to strive to be authentically like Christ in all we do - work or “play,” and that includes things such as blogs. There will be times, situations, or individuals that He directs with great boldness, creative flair, or a massive prescence (whether it be in person or on the web). Most certainly though, He’ll also continue to use others with a quiet steadiness, a smaller (albeit not less valued) approach, and much less attention (or traffic), just as He does in our everyday lives. This was another reminder from God to me that He wants all of me and that all I do is to be directed by Him. Jesus keeps teaching me that He likes to change things up, too. Just because He’s got me handling something one way right now, doesn’t mean it will stay that way. I need to be fluid in His will. So, for me to keep up with His best and be used for His greatest glory…I have to continually dig into His Word, converse with Him in prayer, and surrender my plans for His (and as I’ve recently learned, that includes this thing called blogging).
God Bless - Melody

I’m not gonna deny it. Although ‘I am myself’ when I write, I still pay attention a lot to my stats and sometimes do crazy things in desperation every time I see my blog views going down.

“All I am saying is lately I have seen several blogs become an arm wrestling match for attention and the authenticity of many of those blogs have suffered. And I feel like I am just as guilty as anyone else falling into that trap and I don’t really like it. We have stopped blogging in a genuine, authentic way and are focussing on simply getting more people to click on our names.”

Name Them Blogs!!!
C’mon.
Walker

Unbelievably great post….very thought provoking as well!!!

Man…first I read Shaun’s blog (though I gathered he wrote his after yours…but not in response to yours…) and then I come here. Both posts hit me between the eyes.

I am a writer, so by nature, it is one of my major outlets of expression. I tend to communicate much more effectively when I write…but perhaps I am not as “real” or “authentic” as I should be. And I have paid attention to my stats lately, but mostly because I’m interested of where people are coming from and what kind of response I get from certain things. I guess that puts me in the same frame of mind to which you’re referring…

I hate being the center of attention. But I love communicating. And receiving feedback. I think our culture is full of “feedback junkies” and we freak out a little when we don’t get it. I have to fend that off, too. Usually unsuccessfully.

There are indeed good reasons for building readership, especially if there’s a purpose (like Compassion) to get people’s attention. And there is value in sharing our life experiences so others can benefit or simply enjoy our stories. It just gets messy when our motives are mixed.

Good food for thought and action, Brody. Gracias.

yikes. bitter about something? there are some people that blog because they genuinely love writing… not EVERYONE is a stat whore.

Walker… Now that wouldn’t be edifying would it?

Plus no one is allowed to use that many exclamation points on this blog but me. Sorry.

I recently started blogging as a means of expression. I must admit though that it made my day when your mom commented on one of my posts. Brody’s mom! How cool is that?!!!!

Beth

Great post…thanks for being transparent. I started bloggin because I serve overseas…most of my friends are also team members so….I needed a place to vent and process. Through the blog I’ve met some good like minded guys and am able to network in a way that few of us serving overseas can. The numbers mean something to me because I struggle with feeling like I don’t have a voice….so this helps. For me the conversation is more important than the numbers….
(maybe by posting this my numbers will go up…stop it…don’t think this way….:-))