OK, no photos with this one.
What's a blog? It's a combination of the words 'web log'. Wikipedia says "Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video."
There are around 156 million blogs on the Internet. And to me, the ones that hold my interest offer an insight into the life/lives of the blogger/s. After all, the word 'log' implies a diary of personal interests and activities.
So it's strange to me to see an increasing number of blogs dedicated to... other blogs.
Have you noticed?
Motorcycle blogs that just rehash the photographic content of other motorcycle blogs; or that just re-post Google-searched photos off the Internet.
Hey, each to their own... and if blogs are supposed to be about the writer's interests, then maybe it's just as valid to feature the content of other people's blogs as it is to post pictures of your goldfish, golf holidays or wife's underwear.
But I find it odd to find blog content reheated and offered up as fresh produce by other bloggers. I'd rather see photos from these people's everyday lives – the inside of their fridges, their garages, their local bars, their pets, their Yamaha 'bobber' – than photos lifted from existing blogs, even if that content's source is credited.
To me, the best blogs are based on life... not blogs. But maybe I'm missing something; do these blogs-feeding-off-blogs serve a purpose? Like a one-stop-shop where you can lap up the best bike-related content in one go without doing your own browsing? Like a 'Now that's what I call music volume 57' that saves you the bother of discovering the best tunes for yourself?
I'm interested. Tell me.
21 comments:
Spot-fucking-on, Guy.
When it comes to creativity, ideas, opinions, and content in general, a few produce, while most simply consume.
Reblogging can be excused by some as a form of flattery (the same way imitation is rationalized by those who only copy.)
In the end it comes down to people who are enthusiastic enough about something to want to participate in it, but aren't creative or driven enough to make an actual contribution.
XOXOXO
Cris
100% agree. there's only enough space for one compilation blog and bubble visor has already filled it.
Photos of Ali's pants on Eat the Rich Uk tomorrow x
I'm new to blogs and blogging but appreciate original and interesting comment and pics. There's many blogs far more interesting to me than the mainstream media which drives me mad with its advertising driven boringness. I actually like seeing the odd thing sourced from other blogs, its got to be sourced from somewhere and I also like the list of likeminded blogs listed by many. That way I get to filter the shit and build up blogs that interest me. And find out I'm not the only into sixties biker movies!!
Some people put in hardwork to blog original content, some don't. I think it's pure laziness not to come up with something interesting on your own.
Agreed. I get miffed at all these blogs, some very popular, that 90% of what they do is scan pictures from old chopper rags and post them up with out given credit to the original creator or owners, then, put their own water mark on the picture. SUPER LAME! "Look, I am stealing content cause I have very few original ideas, then I am going to put my logo on it because, well, It represents me and I don't want others stealing what I stole."
Caleb, I am guilty of posting the occasional watermarked pic from a vintage mag... but only because I have gone to the trouble of sourcing and photographing that image, from what can sometimes be a hard-to-find publication.
What I am specifically puzzled by is popular blogs that simply re-post other blogs' content in its entirety.
Wandering off whistling and wondering what the hell to post now... :)
In the majority of cases i can see no reason for watermarking a photo on a blog, except possibly in the case of magazines where the subject is a feature bike. In the unlikely event of anyone using one of my photos i would feel flattered.
Pete, if those photos were tied up with your income I guarantee you'd be more sensitive about how and where they were used...
hmmm... interesting, i might blog this
Absolutely, shall we say professional photographers and publishers excepted !
Could not of said it any better than that. If you want to see everday life, work in our garage and local bars check us out. www.blacksheepmisfits.blogspot.com
Thanks Tam
couldn't agree more mate. I can see the whole re-bloging a blog thing fading away in the next year or so... people can only re-post and amuse themselves for so long before they themselves get bored with it.
Once again, another reason to get your chopper fix from print media--always all original and 100% psychical.
Personally i use my blog as my own record relating to my own interests, both things i do, and things i like, some stolen some not. I do it for myself primarily & if others find it interesting then that cool as well.
I find it silly when you have blogs that watermark stuff (not related to livelihood), and take photo's of half eaten food or when several post the same thing within hours of each other, but these are things that i dislike about the bloging world, we are all different so it stand to reason that we would all go about this differently.
stop your bitchin the lot of you and go take a picture of what you are doing today
wow...life is so cool...so full of what max posted just today....how much do i learn from other blogs?......i dont know, i just love seeing what others think is good and what is bad, i love seeing what others have to say and what they are doing. i know pretty quickly what blog i want to follow and the ones i dont,...who seems like a wanker and the one where the guy shows his insecurities and his wrongs and not just his triumphs (pardon the pun).....and if it aint yours dont watermark it....( just as caleb says)....if it is, then do,.... so we all know you did it brother.
i often think about closing my blog.....just doing what i do without others having a fucken two bobs worth but you know what i think its all about, the people who love motorbikes and live their lives thinking about and loving the time that they spend with motorbikes and the close friends that they have through motorbikes....
so, guy....i agree that there may be some relevance in other blogs that feature other blogs featuring other blogs reblogged from this or that blog but really to me......
its about the man standing at the machine.....making it by hand.
Hey man,
SPOT ON! Reblogging is like watching the millionth rerun of the A-team.
About the copyright: I had a guy put his logo on MY photo's of MY bike so he could post them on his blog. He's got adsense, so he even makes money doing that. Took me months to get it off. It doesn't get lamer than that.
Keep up the good work!
chimming in late...I see my pictures all over the blogs with other peoples logos stamped on them...even folks who have commented above...hell someone in Japan used a pic of my knuck and had it up For Sale...go figure
Jeff, I must have seen the shot of your knuck motors around your Christmas tree with about three other watermarks on it, and on about six or seven other blogs...!
One of my favorite blogs is called Vintage Engineer Boots. It features sweet kicks, sure. But the author is US Marine living in SoCal. He features his love of vintage clothing, guitars, architecture and day to day life in the Corps. That's kind of blog I dig the most, a daily diary of what the author finds interesting.
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