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No one reads blogs

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by

So I’m TAing a class this semester called “Many Ways of Being Human,” and on the first day of class I mentioned the blog Savage Minds as a place they might be interested in heading. But then I asked how many of them read blogs; for that matter, how many of them even checked news online; how many, I asked, use the internet for anything other than email (and porn, but I didn’t know them well enough to ask them that yet).

Like one person.

So, even though I care (really, I do) about the people who have found there way here, my total lack of time to commit to this project has just been horribly reinforced by de-motivation.

In my imagination, when I am not feeling so pressed by other concerns (like, say, funding, trying to start my research, being unable to keep up with my classes, and sleeping), I will be back. But the fact that I’ve said that in the last three entries DOES NOT BODE WELL.

Suggestions? Comments? All welcome.

Comments

9 responses to “No one reads blogs”

  1. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    i know that i spend more time reading blogs & news online than watching tv….if i didn’t check for stuff online, i would have no idea what was happening in the world…but i may be one of few….

    Reply
  2. loafingcactus Avatar
    loafingcactus

    I never would have read blogs, if they existed, when I was in college. I had everything I needed in community and intellectual stimulation right around me. Each step away from that environment (moving off campus, graduating and getting a job, losing my last ties to on campus life) increased my use of the internet to obtain those things. Give them a few years: when they’re bored selling insurance, they’ll be reading blogs.

    Reply
  3. Mark Alford Avatar
    Mark Alford

    Get yourself a good hit counter (like the one I tried at http://www.clustrmaps.com – yes, leave out the e and you’ll see not just how many people are reading your blog, but also where in the world they are). Don’t give up on it yet. Many people lurk but do not leave comments.

    If for no other reason, keep blogging when you can because I like reading what you have to say and I am so egocentric that if you stop, I’ll have to consider the possibility that I am not the center of everyone’s universe. You don’t want me to have to deal with that!

    Reply
  4. Ailia Avatar
    Ailia

    Rachel – I know what you mean! This is me all over.

    Loafing Cactus – you make a really good point. And maybe the converse is part of what’s going on for me now that I’ve moved BACK to a university where I’m surrounded by community and intellectual stimulation …

    Mark – 1) I use Google Analytics which (I think) gives me a decent idea of how many make it here.
    2) you may consider every post from here on out proof that you are the center of my universe. 😉

    Reply
  5. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    I came here because of Clytie. I guess she is a bit desperate about love, and it’s so sad that ends in a tragedy. It’s interesting to read what you wrote, in a modern tone analysis. Though I am not good with all those strange names, esp the greek names and roman names are different but they refer to the same person/god/godness.

    Reply
  6. Janet Avatar
    Janet

    Athena has come to me and so I went to see what she was all about. I landed in your blog. I found you very intelligent, clean, and very well versed in your research. Excellent job in details. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Peace and Lotus Love

    Reply
  7. mary Avatar
    mary

    I came here when I searched for “aristophanes hedwig” – I watched the movie 3 years ago for a lit class and I wanted to know who this aristophanes guy was who gave a speech about the myth in the movie.

    OK, so that’s how I got here, but that doesn’t explain why I stayed. =)

    I like how you write. Funny but informative. and you have a way of writing that makes me just bob my head like an idiot and agree to most of what you say, even if I have no idea what you’re talking about sometimes.

    Anyway, about people not reading blogs, you’re right and wrong. You’re right that blog-reading people are rare. Most netizens are concerned with posting about themselves and not with reading about someone else’s thoughts but here’s the thing: You shouldn’t care about these type of people.

    They aren’t part of the audience you want to reach. You’re not writing for them (I think). You’re writing for people who will read your entries and laugh or agree or hate-mail you in disagreement or just plain appreciate learning new stuff in the not-so-dry way they teach in the classroom.

    Don’t worry about not being able to update regularly. You’ve already built up a huge archive and it’s going to take days for a new visitor to read everything here (and in your main site @ paleothea). Just write when you feel like it. I’m sure you’ll get ‘regular’ readers if you remind visitors to bookmark this page (somewhere in the sidebar or in your about page?)

    Reply
  8. mary Avatar
    mary

    Oops. I forgot to say what you were wrong about. (You were right about people not reading blogs) but you’re wrong about assuming that your posts, which you seem to take time to write, are not going to be read. =)

    We do read it. There is a small percentage of humans who do like reading and learning new things. Don’t care about the larger percentage. They don’t matter. 😉

    Reply
  9. sofi Avatar
    sofi

    I came into this blog trying to understand some things about Athena, and I haven’t been able to stop reading since. Unlike other sites, I found clear info, told in a very cool style. I am from Patagonia Argentina, so, you’ve got audience even that far away! do not give up this project!

    Reply

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