Man of Depravity - Tyler Braun's posts on Church Ministry, Worship, Seminary, and Theology.

Shallow?

2009 January 14

by Tyler

I read a post today by Andrew Jones (Tall Skinny Kiwi) that I could really relate with. He said:

“My previous post is about one million people deciding to follow Jesus with the assistance of some new web tools and only two people thought it interesting enough to comment on. Sometimes the blogosphere seems very shallow to me. I wonder what tasty pieces of trivial gossip will be served up today?” (emphasis his).

I could probably write a post criticizing Rob Bell and get a bunch of hits and a good amount of comments. Or I could write a post about Obama and the same thing would happen.

But if I write a post about knowing God or something more devotional almost no one will read it and there will be a comment or two.

When I think about that I too have to question why we are so shallow when it comes to blogs (and yes I definitely include myself).

Why do we need gossip or flame throwing headlines in order to get excited about a blog post?

Filed under: the rest... Tags: blogging

http://leeswalk.blogspot.com/ Lee

I was just thinking about this recently (mostly because of the almost complete lack of comments on my blog–not that I really need them. My blog is mainly for myself; if anyone finds it interesting, that’s cool, but I don’t assume any audience). Obviously, posts that contain material that is more controversial will illicit stronger opinions. People only post comments when they have some strong feelings. Politics and religion (-isms in whatever form) will always get those responses. But I think a more thoughtful, broad-minded post will almost never get much of a response because people will feel heard in the post. Sort of a preemptive attempt at understanding for the other side. A thoughtful author will automatically include the part of the audience that disagrees with him/her in the post. Just another infant thought . . .
http://seth.heasley.net/blog Seth

I think Lee hit some great points there. I guess most folks are looking for light-reading when they’re blog-hopping. Shallow? Maybe.
http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

well, here’s the thing, i think you’re looking directly of the lack of participation just on your blog….look, i don’t discuss scriptures, i have a different direction w/ my blog…but there isn’t always a lot of discussion there, but it’s not that huge of a deal to me. i write for me first and then the folks i know may be reading it and if people feel like it, they’ll say something. as for me, the discussion of ideas that may lead to or bring up scriptures or knowing God are far more inclusive than say your personal lesson on a scripture that day…those things are more personal and what can someone say to that? you know? that might be more for a “in person” type conversation. shallow? eh, that’s debate-able to me
http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com Andrew Jones

ooohhhhh . . . did someone say “Rob Bell”?
Yonas

People are drawn to controversial topics and catchy titles.

I had a blog for a while, and barely had few comments in…(maybe Ash would’ve commented since she’s the only one commented on my comments here…..ok I’ve used up the quota on the word ‘comment’ today).

Then again, my topics normally about the glasses I bought, the sammich I ate the other night…nothing controversial, although I had a giant bean/cheese burrito one day….
http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

a burrito is always a debate worthy topic, yonas…and there’s your response comment from ash on tyler’s page for the day…ha ha
http://troymaxwell.com Troy Maxwell

So True!
Yonas

Whoooo hooooooo!!! Ash responded! Yippeee!!!
http://americasyoungtheologian.blogspot.com Dan Morehead

Agreed, agreed.