May 20, 2010
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Xangablogging: A Xangassessment
"I'm upset."
It's interesting that I didn't include this phrase in my entry on "catchphrases" a few weeks back. I guess that's because I hardly use the phrase anymore. I read on Yahoo that people in their 50s are more satisfied and happy than younger folk (this was based on some poll, so probably isn't worth searching for a link) and I'm in the back end of my decade now, and can assert that I am happier and more contented than I have been in years.
So I'm not that upset locally or globally as a rule, and I forgot to add the phrase to my entry.
I'm beginning this one with it, however, as I am a bit upset when I see some of the 'trends' I have seen developing on Xanga lately. Readers with long memories might remember an essay I wrote in 2009 titled "The Decline (and Perhaps Fall?) of the United States of America". The piece declared that what I called "blogging mentality" was overtaking the "real world", and gave examples of the meanness exhibited in the blogosphere affecting celebrities who went a bit over the top. The entry was prompted by a blog entry I read on Xanga where some commenters to an entry about a supposed American "plot" to destroy the WTC on 9/11 joked about the tragedy. I began the essay: "I'm upset and distressed."
The reason for my being upset right now is more locally confined to Xanga, hence the title of this particular entry. My Sixth Xangaversary is coming up on Memorial Day, and I like to begin a "celebration" of my years on Xanga during the week before my Xangaversary. This essay will kick off the week, (a bit early, but I keep my own timetables) with an assessment of the Xanga of today, and I don't like what I see.
My readers possibly are a bit more localized than some in the Xangasphere. A lot of the old time bloggers, like me, still read sub lists rather than get their jolt of Xanga from the "front page". We develop small "communities" of Xanga friends, and we visit each other's sites. I, for one, don't even use the sub lists that much anymore, and usually only comment and visit bloggers who have commented on my blog. There are some bloggers who mantain these communities, and there are some who read blogs featured on the front page of the Xanga site. The bloggers who continually show up with entry after entry on the front page are called "Top Bloggers", or "Xangalebrities".
When I started blogging (in 2004), I believe there were five "featured" entries. It was difficult to find out who was even on here, let alone who was writng or presenting the best content. Mostly, we used "blogrings" somewhat forgotten groups of similarly like minded Xangans collected together by subject. Now there are numerous "Top Blogs", "Top Rec'd" lists, besides a half a dozen or so "featured" blogs. Click the "Explore" tab at the top of the front page, and you are given at least 250 blog entries which are supposedly the "cream of the crop" of the blogsite, determined by the "votes" (eprops, comments, and recommends) which Xangans give the entries.
I don't want to sound like I'm criticizing the process, or the Xangans who continually get featured. I get featured enough, and there are enough Xangans in my "orbit" that I always find enough conversations going on that I don't feel "slighted" or "bored" when I'm using the service to socialize online. In fact, I rarely can make the time to keep up with all the bloggers in my orbit. What I will criticize is the fact that for those who haven't created their own cadres of readers/friends (even if they are small, as long as they're supportive and interested) reading "Top Blogs" can sometimes be a bit of a downer. And I do like to check in from time to time, and a lot of "Top Bloggers" are in my blog orbit, so I read their blogs by default (when they pay me the privilege of reading my entries and commenting.)
I witness some amazing mean and terrible things going on in the Xangasphere. Without "naming names" (which is a big part of the problem) I want to outline a event timeline which I believe happens more often than it needs to on Xanga.
A blogger writes an entry. This is his/'her entry, and contains the opinion of the blogger. We bloggers are richly opinionated, and we sometimes have some highly intelligent things to say, but sometimes we shoot our digital mouths off without regard to someone who might have another opinion, and when confronted with that opinon, we might immediately let our emotions instead of our intelligence rule the ensuing comment stream. Any entry is subject. A comment is made disagreeing with the entry. Another commenter agrees with the first comment. "Replies" by the original blogger become heated and even more emotional. The blog gets recommended, and gets on the front page. The blogger may or may not be "popular" but in an open forum, and especially on Xanga, where some bloggers trumpet their identity as "trolls" and love to stir up the pot a bit, the entry starts attracting others who aren't in the blogger's orbit.
Some visiter next blogs about the subject, linking to the original discussion on thier own blogs. Sometimes what they might say isn't so nice. Feelings get hurt. Blogs are shut down. Somewhere somebody is probably having a good cry.
Then apologies/commentary/dissing/and general punditry abounds, fueling what is lately called the next Xanga "bandwagon". The cycle repeats itself. Meanwhile, other bloggers might write great short stories, or balanced, well thought about essays, and they are overlooked, because they do not fit the parameters of the "bandwagon du jour".
I tapered off my blogging for much of 2009 and for almost three whole months in 2010. I'm blogging right now because I was amazed at the response to the blog entry where I "returned" to Xanga, and I'm still gaining subscribers and friends, I'm a lifetime member. I don't know if I'm still "true" (whew, I remember the firestorm of controversy when that "badge" was awarded some Xangans and not others!) I love to write, and I love feedback. I will still maintain that for the most part, I've received positive comments, have the best Xanga friends and subscribers for which a blogger could ask, and have never been "blocked" as much as I know. (And I wouldn't, cause if someone did block me they wouldn't be visiting or leaving comments, and they'd be off my radar.)
I think Xanga would be "better" if more bloggers would recommend the universally attractive and interesting blog entries, and not everything they read by their favorite bloggers, and if bloggers would stop backbiting and participating in "drama" (although a LOT of folks seem to thrive in it) Less fighting and fussing would be going on and more objective and artistic bloggers would be noticed. Sometimes I think that Xanga is full of feuding Hatfields and McCoys, but that isn't the case. I'm doing my best, by recommending entries even if they disagree with my "position" on a subject, if they happen to be good blog entries. I'm also noticing some artists who have been around for a while and yet aren't "xangafamous" (yet.)
The front page shouldn't perhaps be the first place you visit on Xanga.
As usual (the biggest criticism leveled against me) I'm writing a pretty long blog entry, so I'll sum up.
Six years is a long time, and an eternity in cyberspace. I hope I can be around a lot longer. Listing Xangans you like on your blogs and referencing blog entries with which you disagree is fine and dandy. But personal feuds shouldn't be bandied about on the front pages of Xanga. People wonder all the time (or so I read in some of the "top blogs" ) why Xanga is "dying" or "going downhill". If you've never been here, and you establish an account, and then start to read some of the blog entries on the front page to find out what is "going on" in the community, you'd probably get out of here as fast as your keyboard could carry you and sign on to a Facebook account.
The majority of Xanga blogs are very interesting, filled with mind boggling content. But the stuff which keeps getting featured (for the most part, from observation) is dreck and drivel, IMHO. (That means "in my humble opinion.")
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool, Xangan
EDIT: 5/21/10 7:06a.m. pdt. Thanks to everyone who has commented, subscribed, and recommended this post. It's currently the #3 Top Blog, and the #2 Most Rec'd. I prolly won't know if I'll make #1 cause there's a lot to do today at work, and I'm planning something so won't be online all weekend. (Perhaps Sunday) Thanks to you who befriended me, and most of all thanks to my regular readers and subscribers, who welcomed me back with such love after my long hiatus earlier this year! I WILL get around and comment you all, I promise. You can VOTE here to "feature" this entry on Xanga. It's currently the 5th entry down on the page. Thanks again. If you'd like to sample my blog, click the links in this post, or simply scroll down the page. MFN/ppf
Comments (69)
Good thoughts.
I will never post something negative about anyone, it I need to say it I will do so in a private message. You know Thumper's rule from Bambi "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all".
I do catch myself going to the front page but since I've been on here since Jan 2007 I am usually looking for my old time friends on xanga and sometimes I was pick up a new friend. I used to go to photos to find new folks. I think you are a well rounded xangan with interests in every subject but I used to enjoy the photo section the best and that is gone now.
I was ignorant of the "Front Page". I think I shall stay ignorant!! You are the closest friend I have who reminds me of Terry. I cherish you for that fact. I also cherish you for your growth on Xanga. Over the years you have blossomed into a young "oldtimer". You seem to embrace some of the morals we oldies hold close to our hearts. I commend you for that and your blogs which are long, but interesting enough that I read them entirely!!
I intentionally won't recommend many of my friends, haha. I try to only recommend people I do not know as well or people who have few readers. They need it more and it helps broaden that circle of readers you spoke of.
When two people fight who are my friends, I feel it's my job to contain the damage, not increase it. I have had some BITTER fights on Xanga...but I do my best to never use my blog as a weapon. That's what private messages and letter bombs (I KID!) are for. But some people seem to love to recommend any controversy.
I also try to follow the "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." It's helped me stay out of a lot of the drama that goes on here.
@seedsower -
Check your inbox. Just kidding!
I don't look at the front page unless I have nothing to read from those on my friends/sub list.
I am known to go with the drama a bit~but I don't ever talk down on people~At least I don't think so. When I say drama it is usually a topic that is sensitive that I know that some may go wild over. I don't ever name call or be rude when I make those kind of posts~and they are very rare anyways(those blogs).
I agree completely with you. Those who make drama by being hurtful and rude, etc, or making it harder for others to find the real and good posts.
You have been here for six years? Well you are a true blue Xangan.=)
Xanga used to be one of my "main internet sites" to visit all the time. Now it's been supplanted not so much by facebook (although I use that a lot - mostly for games and diversions). For the heavier stuff, though, I'm using GoogleReader to share news articles, interesting bits of media, and political and moral issues. It's a format that lends itself more to discussion. I still have a Xanga because I love many members of its community. I met jerjonji through Xanga and now she's a good friend in real life (even though I moved away). I've also supplemented this blog with one on blogger/blogspot. I keep them separate because on that one I'm actively embarking on a journey to explore a book on Christian mysticism, and I don't think my audience "here" wants to read about that day in and day out. Xanga has its pros and cons, ways in which it's very functional and useful and ways in which it doesn't meet my other needs. So it's one tool in my arsenal.
And a way to keep in touch with the likes of you, dear Mike.
I recommend my friends and those who I think need more exposure. Some Xangans don't have that many friends, and when they wrote something profound or funny, I would recommend them.
You just have to kind of avoid the drama on here.
An interesting post, Mike. Thank you for sharing your good thoughts.
Dear Mike,
I am happy that all the BS hasn't scared you away like so many others. I have to admit, I have found it impossible as of late to keep my cool. I have been here long enough that all of this stupidity is really wearing on my nerves. It used to be that I would just make blanket statements about people being disagreeable, and point out the occasional douchebag who visited my page, but lately I feel myself becoming more and more bitter about the state of affairs here.
I think it's time for me to quit being so bitter. I am feeling like more a part of the problem than the solution lately. I have gotten to know people in ways that I do not care to know them and I do not feel like continuing down that path.
Here's hoping for a better future for xanga. Not very likely, but here's hoping anyway.
With Kindest Regards,
Dave.
:goodjob:"Then apologies/commentary/dissing/and general punditry abounds, fueling what is lately called the next Xanga "bandwagon". The cycle repeats itself. Meanwhile, other bloggers might write great short stories, or balanced, well thought about essays, and they are overlooked, because they do not fit the parameters of the "bandwagon du jour"."
You spoke my mind on Xanga Drama in one sentence +, Profound.
you do write long entries... but that's not a bad thing, really... just bad for me as i usually don't have enough time to read it... besides, you probably know what i'm all about in here anyways... but i think many others actually read in here...
the vicious cycle that you describe about xanga, wow... way to sum it up...
wishing you to have a very nice day :coolman:
I wish I'd read this post a little sooner. I needed to hear some parts of this, though most of it didn't really apply to me because I'm pretty low-key and don't have many readers. I realy enjoy reading your posts.
Lately I've decided to start being a little more appreciative and acknowledge certain bloggers who I love to read but don't comment that often... You are one of those. I don't stop by all that much, but when I do, I really am glad I did.
Punk Rock, Dadaism and old man Burroughs.. amongst other influences kind of released me from certain sensitivities prevalent in others.
@seedsower - Dear Beth, Also known as "the golden rule" and I kick myself whenever I break it.
@Babyboomerjill - Dear Jill, More photoposts to come as soon as I get my new spectacles in 2 weeks.
@Sojourner_here - Dear Bev, I'm planning a real special tribute post to Terry Cuthbert (lordpineapple) come July 31st.
@BoureeMusique - Dear Emily, You remain one of my first and favorite Xanga friends. I'm gonna hafta leave a comment on you other blog. I did visit there yesterday.
@x_Reckless_x - Dear Ashley, You always recommend my entries. I find that most welcome, and thank you so much.
@TheTheologiansCafe - Dear Dan, I'm about to launch a new column here on WhenWordsCollide called "The Voice of Reason" or "Baldmike Explains it All" in which I will try to dissect each of these "bandwagons" and hopefully diffuse them. I usually don't blog "political" but I think I can be more measured than most.
@vanedave - Dear Dave, Always like to see you drop by. And thanks for the recommend! That means something coming from you.
@GreekPhysique - Dear Greek, Almost didn't see the recommend from you until just now. Thank you so much. I see this post climbing the charts. Of course I do mention Xanga twice in the title of the post! It is terrible when one of your friends is on either side, or even worse, when BOTH bloggers involved in a fracas are fighting. I just comment on another post in those cases.
@Made2sing4Jesus - Dear Kris, Thank you for the compliment, and for the subscription and recommend! I like to stay away from the "drama" so I hope I can be a bit objective when it comes to describing it, and offering solutions.
@baldmike2004 -
I won't recommend Xanga posts from just anyone. But I believe you to be a rather easygoing, patient fellow who does his best to stay out of unnecessary drama. So if I was going to recommend one post about focusing on writing and not on drama, it would be from someone like you.
I visit the front page from time to time in hopes of accidentally stumbling onto a decent blog. Occasionally it happens. I found your blog through a recommendation from a "friend." I think I've visited before during the past seven years. It's hard to keep track. I have about fifteen good Xanga friends in my community and I always enjoy reading them. Beyond that it's just time killing.
:wave: I totally agree with you about "backbiting" and drama on Xanga. I dropped my subscription to a very popular site (unnamed). I just couldn't take that stuff anymore. The pity of it is that there were private messages passed between us in which the poster seemed to be a decent person.
I don't have much interest in being a "featured site" or top blogger, whatever. My only wish is that those to whom I subscribe and to whose sites I visit and leave comments would do same for me. I will have been a Xanga blogger for five years this coming July. Most of the subs I acquired then are no longer posting, and many have gone to faceback. Only two have returned to blog occasionally on Xanga. One has been off for awhile due to problems with internet provider. I have only one occasion in 5 years to block someone.
I'm not sure about the "Front Page" to which you refer. I make use of "Universal In Box" to find out which subs have posted. That feature is helpful to me, except that it does not reveal protected posts. I don't know if that's the same as "Front Page".
Now, I need to quit and get to exercise class.
~~Blessings 'n Cheers :goodjob:
@baldmike2004 -
@GreekPhysique -
Xanga has thousands of members, worldwide, coming from thousands of different backgrounds, and having a myriad of divergent attitudes and opinions! So it seems to me to be something of a microcosm of the real world out there. There are many good folk and possibly a fair number of 'jerks.' And some of us at times find ourselves straying across the invisible line that separates the good folk from the jerks! I'd love to be able to say that I've never been "blocked." It is a humiliating experience. Sometimes blocking happens when the 'blocker' misunderstands our position. Sometimes it happens when we are careless in what we say or how we say it! I haven't been on Xanga as long as you have - just four years and a bit, in my case. But I've found the experience, overall, to be immensely fulfilling. I've only been featured once on the front page, and that was an exhilarating experience.
One of my most exciting experiences in these four years as a Xangan was meeting John (GreekPhysique) in person and spending two hours and a bit with him nearly two weeks ago when he had just attended a weekend conference in Vancouver, BC my home town.
Thank you for your keenly discerning mini-essay (above) Mike.
I agree with you. I shut down my old site because I was considered a "xangalebrity". I liked my 15 minutes of fame, but it got to be impersonal and not me. I'm glad Xanga has bloggers like you, we need reasoning!
I like what you have to say. I have been on xanga for almost 9 years now total I believe but I am not 100% sure as this is my fourth page. I find that I have a small group of pages that I read everyday, I comment on many of that small group and I write occasionally. I don't really get involved in the xanga drama, or at least I don't think I do. I use my page as a journal more than anything. I enjoy looking back over the five plus years I have had this particular page and seeing how I have changed and grown up. My favorite people on here are people who feel and write the way you do.
"If you've never been here, and you establish an account, and then start to read some of the blog entries on the front page to find out what is "going on" in the community, you'd probably get out of here as fast as your keyboard could carry you and sign on to a Facebook account. "
Exactly. I did try for awhile and occasionaly something interesting there will catch my eye. On the whole I just keep to my little corner. It's much quieter.
Agreed- thanks for writing this. I've been on Xanga for 6 years also, and i've seen how its changed and evolved. There will always be the "popular" bloggers, but I wish people weren't so mindless and bandwagony that they are forever following their blogging leader. I thought the whole point of a blog was to express your own thoughts. There shouldn't be so much drama about if someone agrees/disagrees with what you have to say. If you have the gumption to say it, you should have the ability to deal with the replies.
I've since learned to cut out the drivel and talk only to people who are engaging, and unwilling to get involved in the petty politics of the morons on here. Even still, I die a little every time I come on here.
Agreed. If we would channel that talent, energy and time into building someone up~ this community could really take flight. :heartbeat:
LOL, You do sound upset. I have long ago given up to be a famous blogger. I prefer to keep Xanga primarily as a record of my own ideas. My Facebook account was recently discontinued for no apparent good reason and I lost all my notes there. I will certainly not close down my Xanga account for a Facebook account.
Excellent observation and assessment. I want this blog to be featured!
@dengnihuilai Don't spam, you idiot. John the Xanga's CEO is online now. You want to be shut down?
Mike, I'd like to think of your blog as like a diamond. It's hard to mine and even find. You continually put so much effort into each and every post. It's difficult to ignore that.
@XndraXstz - Dear Sandra, I seem to remember you quit blogging a while ago. Nice to see you back. I submitted the post for Featured. You can VOTE HERE. Also, I delete and block spammers when I see them. MFN/ppf
The posting of the petty arguments on the front page is bogus; I agree with you, Mike.
For 5 years i belonged to a website, whose members were extraordinarily polite, well-mannered and empathetic in their postings. That was one of the first things i noticed as i read, there. And frankly, why i kept going back. Some noobs thought maybe it it was clickish, but that was because so many of us old timers checked in with each other a lot, creating that appearance. So I went out of my way to chat with the noobs-we even had a section for the noobs and the oldies were encouraged to chat with them. I really miss the site, as it was closed down recently.
With the numbers game and competition and "titillating" posts here, there will probably be more bickering and I accept that, but i don't have to feed into all that to be xangan.
I'll give a rec if someone has written well. I don't care who they are, or what their topic is. If it was well written, I'll rec it.
As for the drama, too much of that happening, but it is easy to avoid if you choose to.I have no use for that crap.
I have been on Top Blogs many many times, and Featured several times too.It really meant something when I joined here in 2007(?). I would get messages of congratulations.Now it is an open invitation to be attacked by Spammers. And the calibre of those chosen has really nosedived, IMHO.
A terrific post sir.
:wave: Hey Mike! I tend to move in different circles in this space. The dramas will continue and I will go on writing what I like to write. I'm not sure what the next generation of writers will do, but I will just keep on pluggin away in my little corner of the world/Xangaland. We all bring our wares so to speak to the table, but many are eating other items. I offer up my serving of life and if someone wants to enjoy or remark, I'm glad to have shared. You can lead a horse to water, but...you know the rest. (pats heart and points to you) I know that dramas will continue. Some folks thrive on it, want to keep the pot stirred. That's their game. What does the furture bring? All we can do is put our ideas out there and see what becomes of them. As far as who and what I read, I just click in from time to time when I have time. No rhyme or reason to it at all. I just keep on doing what I can to stay connected and active in this fabulous space to write and share.
@vanedave - Whew!
@Jaynebug - what does that mean? Was my comment long winded?
lol. they love love love the drama. the meaner it is :mad: , the more they love it :love: and the more recs and reads it gets. it's PAthetic. and when it's one of mine, I can honestly say that I never anticipate it. otherwise maybe I'd do it on purpose,
@Bricker59 - You also give a rec if it's a hate blog about someone you happen to hate also. Just like everyone else, you're not special, lol. Don't go around saying you avoid drama when it's so not true (without expecting to be called on being a hypocrite).
@RazielV - you jump right into the drama with the most dramatic of the lot. Hypocrite!
Sorry Mike, some of this hypocracy from some of these commenters is downright vomit worthy.
@RazielV - @Bricker59 - Dear Raz and Brick, I apologize profusely for any negativity you might encounter in comments or replies on my blog. I am moderating this, and don't want to see what has so far (as in all of my entries) been supporting and optimistic commenting turn into exactly the kind of thing with which I am writing about. I didn't forsee this. So again, my apologies for any ill will you may feel. I know I've visited you Raz, since you're a new subsciber, and I think I've visited you in the past as well before Brick, and have never experienced anything but good writing on your blogs. MFN/ppf
Ugh, I hate the drama! That's not why I have a Xanga!
Also, I very rarely read anything that is not written by the people to whom I subscribe. It takes a lot of time to keep up with people I like, when I read every single blog, and try to comment as much as I can. I think I leave nearly ten times as many comments as I receive, but I am usually okay with that.
I don't know why anyone would leave Xanga for Facebook. Facebook is great to keep up with people you already know, but Xanga is where you go to get to KNOW somebody.
Excellent...I just passed my 7th and can concur with your words...I, too like to try to be a better writer...
Although I am starting to be sucked into philosophical debates and not the good kind, which are really back patting affairs...I needed to read this...
Thanks
i kind of like to poke fun at stupid and enjoy the talented.
Now this is a post worth reading and recommending. People should learn how write good blogs like you instead of focusing on their stupid online drama.
Well, I don't normally go to the front page, but I did tonight and there you were. Interesting conversation. I use my blog as a personal journal, therefore not many visitors. That's fine. I go out and read the people who are here to write and share their life. I'm glad they are here. I catch bits and pieces of the Xanga drama here and there, but I'm happy to say the people I usually read don't get involved in it. People seek out what they want. I seek out the quieter corner of the Xangasphere.
@And_I_love - I fail to see where anything you have said is accurate. Pointing out an observation does not equate to "jumping in". If you're referring to who I used to be, I might make a concession, but expressing an opinion, and trying to appeal to sense of reason is nowhere equivalent to the things you and various other "troll" bloggers engage in. I do not attack, nor do I exaggerate or "enhance the truth" to get my position and points across. I'm fair, concise, and educated on my positions and points.
Now, keep your ad hominems in the trunk. You will not ire me, you will only receive pointed and concise response. If you cannot handle mature discussion, kindly let the rest of us do so. It's unfair to us, and especially Michael for you to behave in this manner.
@baldmike2004 - Yes Michael. It's me, Schristian. Back from the "dead" as it were. You do not have to apologise for those who wish to saturate your site and others with immaturity. You are not to blame for their shortcomings. Let's just allow them to serve as the examples of everything we should strive not to be. A silver lining to every cloud, as it were.
You've always been a fair and moderate friend and poster. I could never cast blame on you for the state Xanga is in and continues to be in. You're one of the reasons I end up staying here. As for my poetry, yeah, I removed them and posted them to http://PerchanceTo.xanga.com.
I normally stick to my subs and friends first and if I have time, I mght check out the featured or top blogs. Xanga drama? I steer clear of that. There is enough drama in real life without coming to the Xangasphere for more!
Thanks for the comment. I actually love letters, and have several pen pals.
RYC: My son lives with his dad at the moment during the school year and me during the summer. I had primary custody for six years before my ex husband pulled some nonsense with not giving him to me when he was supposed to and we have been in court over it ever since. I have always had him with me so it is very hard for me to be apart from him for so long although he did come for a week over christmas. My daughter lives with me full time but I am not allowed to do much with her for another two to three weeks as I recover from my surgery. We color together, read books, and I brush her hair and help her brush her teeth. Everything else my spouse pretty much does. I am not allowed to stand for long periods of time, not allowed to bend over, not allowed to lift more than five pounds so...
We don't want to do artificial insemination because it is so impersonal. I believe in kinda a hippy dippy way of life so we would like for it to be as natural as it can be given the circumstances. Thank you for the kind thoughts though.
Thanks,
Angel
You've struck a nerve with your essay of the obvious, good one Mike.
I agree with you. I shut down my old site because I was considered a "xangalebrity". I liked my 15 minutes of fame, but it got to be impersonal and not me. I'm glad Xanga has bloggers like you, we need reasoning!
You have been here for six years? Well you are a true blue Xangan.=)
how old are these people who get so upset and shut down their sites, fer cryin' out loud? people get to have their opinions, i've been featured and ridiculed before on someone's site...so what? like i'm going to give a rat's rearend what anyone has to say about me or any position i hold (especially an anyone who doesn't even know me)....
I've been on here almost 7 years now, but went through my fair share of usernames as a young teenager. I did (and do!) feel slighted by the "True" membership badge, as I can't afford to pay for a Lifetime membership and I don't spam comment every entry I read, so apparently that doesn't make me a loyal Xangan despite my biweekly posts for the past 7 years.
That said, I do enjoy lurking the drama. It's entertaining that people actually get so heated. I'd never join in, but it is fun to read from an outsider's point of view.
I do stick to the front page though, it brings me to interesting blogs and then I continue my lurking by clicking on those who left interesting comments, and so on and so forth. I used to be a bit jealous of the Featured posts, since though my blog is mostly filled with teenage angst and the uncertainty of youth, I feel I have an enlightening post every now and then that completely gets overlooked because I'm not anything "special" according to the Xanga standards.
Oh well. It's all fun.
Well said. It's weird that some people who write junk (ie. RestlessButterfly) would get a lot rec'd!
GET THIS FEATURED, XANGA TEAM!!
Yet again a voice of reason. I saw in the comments where there was an idea of you taking whatever the bandwagon of the day is and dissecting it in an effort to diffuse things. This is a great idea as you have such a calm laid back view on just about any even ones like the drama that are irritating. I see it as being a thankless, almost impossible task though as the drama of the day just keeps coming.
@Xcite_Me - Dear Xcite, You're on Friends Lock so can't visit you, but if you'd like to vote for my entry to be featured, HERE is the link, which I also added to an edit on the entry itself. Thanks.
@Ro_ad808 - Dear Mike, I acutally created a blog called "TheDevilsAdvocatesDen" a few years ago, where I was going to have questions and answers and discussions like on Dan's (TheologiansCafe) site, but I wanted to post conclusions, and then figured it would be far too much time invested than I could muster. I also ran the Internet Island participatory blogring for over two years, and I think my "writing prompts" were better than a lot of the standard prompts on most writing blogrings, but again, too much time had to be expended. This would just be another "themed post" and would have a title block for entries like this one.
Amen.
Doing whatever I say, eh? Chew on this: http://lists.infinitesque.net/listinfo.cgi/beyond-infinitesque.net
Or at least think about it. We're starting a revolution.
Today I am having a hard time being nice...
:coolman: I agree with you. The drama is pointless, and focuses on Xangans who are already famous (or infamous.) It seems like drama is featured, rather than good writing. But then again, maybe I'm biased.
I have been posting here at Xanga since 2002. I caught on early that just because a blog was "featured" didn't mean it was decent writing. I pretty much pick and choose who I want to subscribe to. I got over not getting comments over the years, when I was still posting publicly....now that I have gone protected it is even less but I don't even care anymore. I just like to be here, post my thoughts, and read what others have to say.
I don't understand the drama.....what that tells me that it is younger people that get into all of that. (I like young people, don't get me wrong)I once had a so called Christian woman tell me to "shut my pie hole" when I simply stated an opinion. Anyway, needless to say I blocked her, she promptly created another user name and site and got into my blog that way. Way to go, Christian Lady. I probably bored her to death, I haven't heard from her since (of course she blocked me too)
Mostly it has been a positive experience; and a great introduction for me into cyberspace. To me, Xanga is for writing, Facebook is the social networking.
I saw that you changed time of your post. I came back to read more comments.
~~Blessings 'n Cheers :coolman:
I never visit the front page anymore although I have seen that it looks better than it use to. I'm refering to the time when they had only "ish" sites up which usually bored me. I read my subs about 3 or 4 times a week and do my updating as i feel. sometimes skipping a day smoetimes (like today) posting 2 or 3 times.
I think xanga can grow with people or die depending on how you use it.
I don't always have time for blogging these days or for reading blogs. However, I do like to read what my xanga friends have to say and try to catch up at least for a few minutes a day.
If only I could access xanga at work...:nono:
I do appreciate your blogs and I especially like the photoblogs. I also appreciate your comments on my blog. As far as the front page, I don't read it.
I left a really long response on your "Decline of America" post. Probably more long winded that it should be. Right after my car accident, my daughter convinced me to start a Xanga account and connect with people to help recover. I wanted to promote World Peace (or atleast understanding of other's opinions), and where I met a really great online friend who got me over a tough hump, the idea never really went anywhere except to the people who wanted to hear these things. I have a very diverse group of friends, one that I try to maintain privacy otherwise I would have some people blocking me. Unfortuantly, I have also been a victim of being in between DearRicky and vanadave spats. Also I was part of a major misunderstanding of two rival bloggers in which feelings got hurt because I left a comment on his site (both I was friends with). This shouldn't happen. Being apart of Xanga wars is not what I want to do. I just like coming here, writing about an opinion, get some views on the subject, and feeling connected with people across the world. I think I have made some great friends because when I posted my "WILL BE GONE FOR AWHILE" alot of people visited and I didn't feel so alone. So being on the "front page" or even "top blogs" isn't even my main objective anymore (although I just shook my head when I read a blog last month about someone who joined in March, rose to be on Front Page in April, then whined about not getting views in May). I know that I have connected with some great people on here. And I like reading your perspectives on life. Hopefully I can avoid some of the pitfalls that you have experienced in life. ::goodjob:
(now this response is getting really long)
It's very easy to spot it when someone or some group is out to try to take another person down. For whatever reason. It's just politics as usual, even on this social website, and here, as everywhere, I tend to pull for whoever is the underdog that day. It's too easy to jump into a hate slam group, I've witnessed that behavior all my life. It's not going to stop here or in real life, which is why I don't engage with people very much at all, ever.
Turn the top edge under slightly and sew it over the outside of the bottom edge with waxed thread.