A listless revolution
Jon Gordon of Future Tense is asking for bloggers to make a resolution. I think it’s time for a revolution. We need to be done with the lists. They aren’t helping anyone, and really it’s just mindless blog fodder used to attract hapless Googlers to your site. When’s the last time you read one of those lists and thought “wow, I really learned something from that?” I’d venture to guess it might have been in 2004.
This week, and remember it’s only Wednesday, I counted no less than 14 different list posts in my Google Reader.
Enough!
Full disclosure: In the past, I’ve been quite an egregious list maker. Though my lists tend toward the absurd and not “18 Ways You Can Use Twitter to Annoy the Internet.” But still, a list is a list is a list.
As a blogger, I’d like to place the onus of this lackadaisical approach to producing blog content solely on the writers, but they are not the only ones to blame. Everyone who clicks one of those links, tweets it, or links to it is guilty. So let’s just stop. All of us. I will, I promise. Though, it does sadden me that my stunning list “14 Ways to Annoy Your Cubemate by Dissing Jack Kerouac” will never see the light of day.
Once we tackle the lists, we’ll start in on the Social Media experts. I think Michael Pinto of Fanboy might be on the right track with this problem.
7 Responses to “A listless revolution”
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Meghan Wilker on January 21st, 2009
I don’t know how I missed that tweet from Jon Gordon, but AMEN! I seriously think that someone, somewhere made a recommendation along the lines of, “To get heavily tweeted or dugg, just make a Top X list…”
And then every blogger under the sun took that advice. In fact, someone I know tried to get me to make my most recent Twitter post into a “Top X” List. Thankfully, I didn’t take that advice.
Jodi Chromey on January 21st, 2009
I think it was when all the SEO experts came along a few years back, they’re the one who said to make lists — they’re easily scanned! people don’t read on the web! you can cram them with keywords! Yay lists! (and exclamation points)
Sumpygump on January 22nd, 2009
I have to agree, these lists have been bugging me for a while too. I am glad someone spoke up against it. It really is getting ridiculous. I mean, I have seen some posts with things like “Top 58 blah blah blah”, and I was like, WHAT? Who reads this stuff?!
No more lists.
david on January 22nd, 2009
Once again, I agree completely (though I have been told my year-end aggregations of music & book lists only encourages more of these lists).
Please don’t hold my list of favorite bloggers against me, though, that was a thank you note wrapped in a list.
Jodi Chromey on January 22nd, 2009
David, I love year-end and best of lists. I think if we (bloggers) limit the amount of lists that are published throughout the year the other ones will seem even better. You know? I just think the world needs to spared another Top 32 ways to become a Social Media Expert.
Mitch&Tonic on January 22nd, 2009
http://denver.metromix.com/music/photogallery/blowin-up-in-09/888582/content
Heres a GREAT list I found. It’s a list of 15 bands that are gonna BLOW up in 2009. I like it because it has the RiverBoat Gamblers on it. Check em out
Jodi Chromey on January 22nd, 2009
You did not just hijack my intelligent conversation on the importance of good blog content to pimp one of your bubblegum punk bands, did you?