Blog or Ad?

[Sigmund Leominster]

Following on from my previous post about the moribundity of blogs, I have noticed that the majority of posts in the Second Life Bloggers' network are, in fact, promotions for product. This isn't a criticism but an observation. To a certain extent, ALL blogs are a sales pitch of some sort, even if the pitch is simply "Look At Me!" rather than "Buy discount Viagra from my store" and such like.

What I am curious about is where the line is between a "blog" as a source of news, commentary, or personal journal versus a "blog" that serves as a way of promoting product. Or is there no such thing as a line?

Just curious.

[Sigmund Leominster]

I love that phrase, Argus - "My blogs are all mirrors." The myths and metaphors that surround "mirrors" infuses that simple statement with interest. I may steal it ;) And maybe Tateru's comment about the difficulty in describing a blog is also indicative of the slippery nature of the definition.

And blogging about blogging is such a deliciously omphalic exercise (yes, it IS a real word!) that its almost existential and damn close to solipsistic. And an excuse to give some rarely used words a pretentious outing.

[Argus Collingwood]

My blogs are all mirrors. Let me find something more "blogworthy for ya'll;-)

[Tateru Nino]

I'm not even quite sure how to describe the content of my blog, honestly.

[Sigmund Leominster]

"I could be a lot ruder" ;)

I guess the truth is that there are many types of "blog" in existence and there's a spectrum between the commentary/journal through to the infomercial. This may not be much different from an "adverzine" - you know, those free magazines that are really just ads with some text thrown in to make it appear to have more gravitas than it deserves. Towards the end of the year, GQ Magazine - and yes, I do subscribe - becomes some 250 pages long of which some 200 pages have to be ads.

I suppose good blogs are like pornography - I can't define one but I know it when i see it ;)

[Terry Toland]

Oh, there is a line, much as there's a difference between a documentary and an infomercial. It can be very irritating, as blogs that are created with a 'sales pitch' agenda can cheapen the overall community. I do think this community should be more about discussing and showing, rather than advertising- tell me about what you're wearing/how you made it, show me beyond the vendor image or travel brochure.

I do enjoy creators having blogs that go through the fashion feed; it's like having a digital, SL catalog. I don't care for blatant ads or ones with an obvious underlying marketing voice. Granted, there's going to be different tastes and perspectives on this matter, but this is mine. ANd I hope I've presented it in the most diplomatic manner- I could be a lot ruder. :P