Musing on Change

Posted on: September 10, 2008 by Syzlak

At the risk of sounding pithy, emotional and self-interested, (didn’t you want “Wonderful Tonight” to be playing when you read this?) I feel it’s about time to do a personal piece. I know no one really likes to read them, but we all accept them as forms of catharsis for the writer. While recently I have tended to do fewer and fewer SEM related posts, it’s not for lack of interest; but rather, a lack of new information. Sure, I could spout off what a dozen other writers are spouting off right now. I could tell you a bit of information that many writers have said months if not years before me. It’d be old news. Somebody might get something out of it; certainly SEOHack would give me praise…the rest of you would ignore it.

So why bother?

Why bother to write all this useless shit? I have a couple tips I’d like to share; but when I start thinking about posting them, I start dreading the act of posting. The hour or more to properly craft the piece. The 10 minutes to get a good pic. The endless waiting for a response from 1 of my readers – not for fame, but to make sure it made sense. The massive boost of 4 visitors to the site…

What’s the fucking point anymore?

If you don’t read this blog religiously (by the way, religiously for me is a perfect description of my interaction with this blog. I was raised Catholic and never made a habit of going to Church since I lived in Illinois. Once in awhile, as I believe is the case with a lot of Catholics who have strayed from the Church (which isn’t entirely accurate, but I digress) I will go to Mass. I don’t know why, I just do. So, it’s kind of like posting here – I do it when I feel guilty) then you might have landed here after hitting the Stumble button. If so, click an ad before you leave, I know you’re not paying attention to what’s being said anyway.

Do I sound defeated?

If so, it’s your own damn fault. Everyday hundreds of “SEO” bloggers post useless lists in order to have new content on their sites. They repeat what someone else took the time to write. Sometimes they disagree with something someone wrote, and they expect us all to care. It’s like the song by The Hold Steady “Most People are DJs.” Cloak and Dagger Media has a great quote from Craig Finn about his song

I think that DJing, like rock criticism, tends to be a way for people to participate in the “scene” without taking the risks to the ego that go along with producing music or any other art.

That\'s right, Craig Finn has sang with The Boss

Sounds like blogging. “Hey everyone! Come read my list about stuff I didn’t think up!” Congrats. Awhile back, I’d read that the current crop of 15-25 year olds are being labeled the “Look at Me” Generation. That’s not entirely fair, as the age bracket should be bigger. Let’s say 10-40. While we’re out, let’s rename it. I think anyone that writes a popular blog should be known as a member of the “Look What I Found” Generation.

What’s my point?

Fuck, I don’t even know anymore. At the risk of depressing everyone Hack my reader, be prepared to read a lot of depressing posts over the next few days. I’ve lost the energy to care about this blog. Well, at least this incarnation of the blog. I’m tired of trying to find something to say about something I don’t care that much about.

In the end, maybe that’s a good thing.

Photo Credit to Stereogum

Tags,     Filed Under: work

  • Don't do it! I understand if you have don't want to repeat shit about seo/sem, have guilt, whatever it is that's getting you down but don't just give up and stop writing. Look at yourself right now... You have a place to express youself... You just did it... Who cares if you start writing depressing shit... There are plenty of Emo's people that will read it. Just don't stop bloggin altogether. Write about what's on your mind and the people will follow. I mean shit... look at the stupid Twiiter.
  • you're so lucky you said you're going to write depressing shit because if you're quitting, i'm going to make that long ass drive from BFE to PDX and beat the living fucking shit out of you. ;) and look - you have to loyal readers! it's not as many as my six or seven faithful, but me and the JDog have to count for something!
  • ps - you're totally right about all that. we've all done it, we all do it.
  • devilman676
    Come on man, you can't let these moron's win. You are absolutely correct that most of the same B.S. gets posted over and over again. Hell, that's the main reason I cut down to reading maybe 10 blogs and 2 of them are yours and seohack. Most of the information out there is total B.S. in the first place. I'm not known in the SEO community and I plan to keep it that way. I don't have a blog nor do I care to have one. I don't even have a twitter/plurk (not that the post from seohack about pluck being a needy bitch wasn't awesome!) or whatever moronic micro-blogging site that people use. There is no other industry that I have seen that has such nonsensical ramblings going on. If people would just focus on running their business like are real business and not some hobby out of their parents basement then they wouldn't have time or the need for such pissing and moaning. It's like a bad T.V. show about spoiled high school kids that would be on FOX. They need to concentrate on getting clients and getting paid. Fuck the B.S. that goes on and create your own content, stop biting off other people, contribute to the community as a whole, and get a life.

    Don't quit now. I look forward to your rants and ramblings. It's a nice call out on everyone.
  • Don't worry, dear - Owlette is here with a goldfish bowl of gin and tonics for you (Ask Hack how good that is.)

    Your point is valid - don't say anything if you have nothing to say! The number of regurgitated posts on the same thing is not at all useful and most annoying to readers trying to learn something.

    You will be the one with the actual paying-attention readership if you say what you have to say when you actually *have* something to say. It's a new point of view and very refreshing (like a well-made G & T.)

    So drink your gin, dear -- there you go. Things will look better in the morning.
  • dude, you're more emo then criss angel.
  • Man, I'm feeling guilty for not stopping by recently now! Hope you're still alive you big emo.

    I know how you feel though man, I've not posted for ages because, well, generally I've got better stuff to be getting on with. But it's good to have a place to rant.

    Now write an article about the recent PR update and stop your grumbling.
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