Thursday, November 1, 2012

the fine art of being unpopular

 New Necklace called "The Cube" went to a good home today

I received a spam comment today offering me services to get the traffic and comments on my blog increased to an average of 4,000 visits a day. This reminded me of a post I read from VanishingAmerican, reminiscing on the differences between extroverted bloggers vs. introverted bloggers. The blogger mentions she/he does not write a blog in order to attract a huge number of readers or followers, but that she/he rather reach a few bloggers who have something of value to say.


When I read the spam comment today, my reaction was an “irk” feeling. One, because I would feel overwhelmed by hundreds of comments I would not be able to reply to; and second, because I already get majorly pissed (can I say pissed here?) when I get a comment such as: “follow me”; “nice blog, follow me” and the likes. 

Although I have had this blog for only a few months, the bloggers I visit and who visit Introverted Art regularly have become people I do care about. I like going to their blogs and reading how their lives are unfolding and what they are creating, as most of them are creative creatures out in the world. 

Sterling silver with a brushed cube pendent 

I steer clear of the fad “fashion” blogs and the “I really only want 10,000 followers” blogs. This is why, as an introvert, I love the web. It allows me to sift through the vastness of blogs out there and lets me focus on the ones I relate to. It is like avoiding the small talk I sometimes cannot get away from in social gatherings.

This is why the spam comment ticked me off. It is as though small chatter invaded my space. I am not looking to be popular, whatever being popular means nowadays. I am not looking to have 15 minutes of fame. What I am looking for is for the right to be unpopular, to be weird, to be anything other than the status quo, to snort when I laugh, to talk about farts and nose bugger even though I am a woman. I am looking for the right to be.

My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.” ~ Adlai E. Stevenson II 


31 comments:

turquoisemoon said...

hahaha...oooh Ana, this is so funny. I consider my blog kindof a diary of sorts. And, if I snort when I laugh, it's ok cause it's my blog!!! Good for you!!!

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Touche! I agree w/ya!. What I am not crazy about are the blogs that post in detail the 'happy' goings on in a blogger's life... the over advertising of how 'fun' their lives are... and NO, I am not down on happy or positive, just the over abundance of it... Come on already- can anyone have that much 'happy' in their lives where they have to post about it everyday?

35jupe said...

That is the wonderful thing about blogging. Because I have an allergy to fame (it scares the crap out of me) I don't even begin to understand wanting 10000 readers. Yikes.

I think we've a ways to go before we're in the spot Adlai imagined. Unfortunately.

Kyra Wilson said...

I like the cube! I tend to like those sorts of things, and then I can never wear them. Alas, I'm a swirl-girl. ;)

You know, I've had the popular blog. Twice, actually (NOTan art blog, but a life blog.) I had tons of visits, and comments (and trolls, such a joy) and I ended up going from being able to talk about what I wanted to not being able to talk about anything. I mean, what if it was personal? They'd crucify me! If I said something that somehow offended someone, they'd go after me. I was in my own blog-box-jail, and it was horrible.

I now have two places on the web (art and... well, stuff), and they're UN-popular! But you know what? I get to be me. It's SO much better. And I agree, when you find others you have stuff in common with, you start to follow and care about the people on the other end. You invest. I'd prefer to invest in the right places, than to spend all over town, so to speak. So, I'm with ya!

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

I agree with you, Ana. I enjoy connecting with people that I can relate to; people I learn to care about over time. My blog allows me to write out my thoughts; it's a diary of sorts. And to let loose my creative side. It's really my playground where I can enjoy myself, meet interesting people and relax.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

If you can't talk about farts on a blog, WHERE CAN YOU? That's the beauty and glory of blogging. Amen.

Annette said...

Hi my dear, you know I totally agree with you. As yo know my blog makes no sense and is totally random and I love it that way. it is me and I am fine with that. I am always amazed at what you write and love it always, throwing in art and your young thoughts. Always refreshing to me. Hugs my friend. xoxox

Robin Larkspur said...

Ana, I am 100% with you; I couldn't imagine the stress and pressure of 10,000, or 1,000 followers. My blog started because I thought it would a good place to be "just me". I have been lucky and have met some very nice people and it is an enjoyable experience. Most of the people I follow are not out for "numbers", they just want to talk about stuff that is important to them. Just simple folk with no agenda.

Nadia said...

I love you're toughts. You're blog is so nice the way it is now. It is you're space and you can do with it what you want!

The Cranky said...

Yup, this is why I love your blog!

If you hadn't noticed, I have a realllly random mind and blogging allows me to explore that...both through writing and through the blogs I follow. Some are slick 'fashioner than thou', others involve the arts on some level or another, and then there are the gardening blogs, doomer blogs, and so on. It isn't the subject matter, per say, which captures my attention as much as the intelligence, passion, humour and joie de vivre.

Besides, with each blog I read I find myself growing more catlike and, well, curiouser and curiouser.

It is the uniqueness of your viewpoint and your obvious intelligence (not to mention your compassion) which drew me to your blog and keeps me coming back Ana.

Ola said...

I totally agree with you, I would not be able to stay really in touch with all visitors, I like re-visiting others, so I don't feel like artificially increase traffic on my blog
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Sulky Kitten said...

When I first started blogging a year ago, I used to get loads of those stupid "I follow you, you follow me!" comments and so I just took away the Followers /Join up thing on my blog. I've probably lost out in some way by doing that but I get far fewer of those tedious requests as well. I like that cube necklace.

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

I sooo agree. I get upset with the same types of rude Follow comments and the spam that "multiplies". I just am me...and am learning that this is ok...maybe even good! I want friends who follow my blog because they CHOSE to simply because they were interested and hopefully even a little inspired. That's how I chooseto follow one, too. Have a happy weekend, Ana!

manomij said...

Two words...well said!
Hop you are well:)
ManonXx

Arkansas Patti said...

Really cool necklace.
Have to agree with you on followers. Even on my little blog, I got enough followers that it was eating up a huge chunk of day keeping up. Don't know how these people with thousands who solicit even more, do it.
Glad you march to your own drummer.

Anonymous said...

Follow me back. I am following you now. I say that only because I now know that you love me. XO

Anonymous said...

Ana, first of all, LOVE the necklace! Secondly, I used to get a lot of spam comments and had to up the security of the comment section...darn it...I wonder if that would help you. It doesn't let anyone comment without being a member...which is sad because it leaves out a lot of friends, but I felt I had to...someone was always trying to sell me something.
Hope you can get this resolved. Have a great weekend!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Hi Ana what a great post I would never want to worry about fame I like snorting and farting too much without worry, and the friends I meet here are OK with it. I in turn give them the same courtesy:)
I like your blog because it is real and that is what keeps me coming back.
I like writing what I want and not worrying about who likes it or not. It makes me happy when people do and I love when I find out someone else is feeling the same way. That is why I blog. I am pretty sure most of us are happy being small. I can't even imagine what being big would do. I guess you have to hold in all those nasty normal things:) Keep being YOU Ana. B

Duni said...

Hi Ana,

as an introvert myself I can relate to this post. I've built my blog slowly over the past four years and I average about 20 comments per post. I like it this way, as I consider my regular commenters my friends as we've gotten to know each other over the years :)
Your cube necklace is an unique piece!

Jenny said...

I do so love visiting here Ana... your posts are always beautiful and thought provoking... avoiding the small talk at social gatherings... yep that's me... and being true to ourselves... as ourselves... in every way... wonderful...

Jenny ♥

Sherri B. said...

Ohmygosh, how I adore your thoughts...I almost stood up and clapped while reading! I completely relate...I have struggled with this idea (pressure?) of having to increase my readership when really I am just thrilled to have a small, close knit group of blog friends I feel a kinship with. I have often pondered the fact that, as an introvert, I interact in the online world exactly as I do in the "real" world: Quietly, not wanting to draw attention to myself, always observing, taking it all in silently...this is who I am. And it's wonderful to know others who understand this way of being! Have a wonderful weekend, Ana - that necklace is beautiful. :)

The Dancing Crone said...

Yes that kind of thing always discombobulates me too. I can barely keep up with the blogs I follow now and feel dreadful if I miss some, can'i imagine having 10,000 bloggers on my blog list, ha ha. I would like to add a few more men to my list though. Always good to have a balance, a wide view of what is out there. :)

Elena said...

Loved this post! I was just thinking last night about blogs and followers. About a blogger I knew who obsessed if one follower stopped following & kept close track of who visited & how long. Interesting how some people carry over habits from the real world into the virtual world. I started blogging at a time when I thought I was the only 'lost' person in a world where everyone else seemed to get it right. My blog became a means to express my random thoughts so that if anyone else out there felt lost they'd know they weren't the only ones. Unfortunately I've had brutal comments but can't let one bad apple spoil it right? I don't worry about followers. I figure those who need to read will find me...by 'coincidence'. Love your sweet spirit dear girl!

S said...

I completely agree, dear -thank God that we belong to those group of individuals who believe in deeper values of life. I always like to interact with like minded souls even if they are a small group of individuals. Qualitative interaction mean more to me than quantitative interaction.The cube necklace is very cute !

AntiquityTravelers said...

Ana I love your blog, and you for who you are. Your posts get me thinking - and that is always a good thing in my book. not only do I like coming here to read your post, but I take time to read each comment. That really isn't something I do on every blog. But you've attracted such a forum here, that it is comfortable and easy to speak your opinion. Exactly why I typically avoid Facebook like the plague. Somehow I have 500+ 'close friends.' Is that even possible? I guard each and every word I say as not to offend anyone. So now I just don't bother wiyh it. Do I want followers? sure, but I want to hear from them because that is why I blog. Otherwise I could just talk to myself. I want a conversation, not a "nice post dear" comment from a fashion blogger. I get a lot of those. Sigh. But I guess that is to be expected because I make jewelry. But again, I could just post on Etsy and be done with all this. What interests me is what inspired the work - that is why I make jewelry. It is my creative outlet. Please just keep on doing what you do - we all look forward to coming here and hearing you, and reading all the comments!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Very true! I like my blog favs because they are original...not same same! Sweet hugs!

CraveCute said...

I love this post Ana! I feel that way about the solicitations to blog about some boring product that has nothing to do with my blog or the people that read it. Thankfully my spam has been very limited. I love the Adlai Stevenson quote! I am going to tweet it!

Almost Precious said...

For some their blogs are only an extension of their business and so the more followers the more exposure for their enterprise.

I've see blogs with several thousand followers and absolutely no comments, and I've seen blogs with only a handful of followers with a great many comments. I sincerely believe that quality and not quantity is what's most important.

I've also noticed that as a blogger I'm not quite the introvert that my flesh, bone and blood self tends to be. Not sure why that is but I've always seemed to be able to step outside of my shy, timidity when I picked up a pencil and piece of paper and began writing. It was as though I had found a secret key that unlocked my spirit and allowed my soul to soar.

Hwee said...

Very wise and insightful! I feel much the same as you do about blogs and their traffic. I found your blog through The 20-Minute Challenge, and am really glad to have found my way here. You've got really good work going here.

Sofia said...

I like what you think about blogging and the way you do it.

Kristin_Texas said...

You know, I believe you're a Kindred Spirit. :p

I, too, just have to sigh and shake my head when someone adds a link to their comment (which matches their comment on other blogs) or says "follow me".... just because they followed me and feel I owe them now. It drove me so batty that I finally made a note about that in my sidebar. I'm just not a fan of insincerity.

Kristin... a fellow introvert