I read quite a few different blogs. I feel like I should since I sometimes write one. I read mostly about programming and other technical things. I probably spend 10-15 minutes per day skimming the headlines in Google Reader, looking for interesting articles.
It’s nice to have a few things to read while I’m waiting for a script to run or eating lunch. Unfortunately, there are certain types of posts that seem to reappear regularly. These are a few of the posts that I’m tired of reading:
How To Make Money Blogging
I know that some people make their living as a blogger, and I think that’s great, but I’m tired of reading about it. What I really can’t stand are people who make money by writing a blog about how to make money blogging.
I’ve fallen into this trap myself in the past. I created a few different blogs with Google and Amazon ads. I even made a little money doing this, but it’s not something I can maintain for any length of time.
Blogs with lots of ads (especially ads that pop up on words inside the posts) make me a little uncomfortable. Like I said, I still have a few blogs with ads on them, but I don’t really feel good about it.
If I never see another post about link baiting, SEO, or how to get on the front page of Digg again, it’ll be too soon.
Arguments About Nothing
For some people, everything is a religion. There is no gray area, everything is black and white. You’re either with us or you’re against us. Windows vs. Mac, Emacs vs. Vi, Windows vs. Linux, Ruby vs. Python, the list goes on forever.
Use the right tool for the job and get on with your life. Just because I use a Mac at home doesn’t mean I’m an idiot. I use a Windows PC at work, and that doesn’t mean I don’t like Macs.
The worst are posts written by people who don’t really even know what they’re talking about. For example:
“You should use a Mac since Windows computers always get viruses.” I’ve never had a virus on any of the Windows PCs I’ve used. Am I just lucky?
“Macs are overpriced, you can get a PC with the same hardware for a lot less.” I look at a lot more than hardware specs when I buy a computer. What about the operating system, the applications, the community, the build quality, the design?
I will never understand why some people spend every day of their life trying to convince other anonymous internet users that their way is the only way. What a waste of time and effort.
Personal Attacks
To me, this is about the lowest thing you could possibly write about online. Yet I still see these kinds of posts on blogs.
I can’t even imagine a situation that would cause me to try to belittle someone else online. What can a post like this possibly accomplish? If you don’t agree with someone, why not just ignore them?
Maybe it has something to do with television. Some people aren’t happy unless there’s drama in their life. I guess it’s nice when people comment on the post and agree with your assessment of the other person.
Just like the endless debates I mentioned earlier, I’ve never seen anything positive come from a personal attack of someone online. I don’t ever remember a time when a victim of one of these posts said “You know what, you’re right. I’ll change my ways.”
That’s Enough For Now
I think I’ll stop here. I’m not really sure what the point of this post was. I don’t imagine it will change what other people write about, but it can’t hurt to try.
Maybe later I’ll talk about the kinds of posts that I enjoy reading. In the mean time, what are some posts that you’re tired of reading?
All of the above. The ones about making money blogging just made me feel inadequate. Same with the all the blogs about how to get organized. Not going to happen – especially if I spend time reading the articles instead of actually getting things done. I can’t even get organized about reading the articles 🙂
How To Get Organized posts don’t help me very much either. It seems like some people spend more time inventing new ways to organize their lives than they do living.
I actually left out the one that prompted me to write this – Posts About Getting Things Done. If you spend all of your time reading tips about how to stop procrastinating, you’ll never accomplish anything.