November 18, 2006
if you're not getting laid, it must be techmeme's fault
Scoble recently posed the question, "Does being on TechMeme improve your sex life?"
In the comments, I wrote:
I wonder if Gabe concurs... [UPDATE:] Gabe leaves the folowing in the comments:
For grabbing a quick snapshot of what’s happening in Web 2.0 at any given moment, Techmeme works brilliantly.Hey, and guess what? That’s all it was meant to do.
To give it any more power over your life than that is frankly pathetic.
That's a fair statement, though I hope Techmeme extends beyond "Web 2.0". (It's not really as broad as "Tech" though, despite the name.)I imagine these e-mails Gabe has received include many mentions of noble concepts like "fairness", "meritocracy" and "democracy", and far less use of "me me me me me me" etc. Posted by hugh macleod at November 18, 2006 1:32 PM | TrackBackA few clarifying points:
When issues of comprehensiveness or "fairness" come up, I think people should think of Techmeme as just another blog. And in many ways, it's just that. So suggesting that Techmeme is keeping you down because it doesn't expose your writings is about as wise as depending on a particular blog as your ticket to fame or whatever.
Interesting fact: I've read probably hundreds of complaints about the lack of inclusiveness on Techmeme. Yet how often have I heard this from non-bloggers (whether in emails, or in person, etc.)? Never. I can't recall a single such case. Now I hear a lot from non-blogging readers, but complains of "A-listers" and "circle jerks" just don't seem to come up.
That's a fair statement, though I hope Techmeme extends beyond "Web 2.0". (It's not really as broad as "Tech" though, despite the name.)
A few clarifying points:
When issues of comprehensiveness or "fairness" come up, I think people should think of Techmeme as just another blog. And in many ways, it's just that. So suggesting that Techmeme is keeping you down because it doesn't expose your writings is about as wise as depending on a particular blog as your ticket to fame or whatever.
Interesting fact: I've read probably hundreds of complaints about the lack of inclusiveness on Techmeme. Yet how often have I heard this from non-bloggers (whether in emails, or in person, etc.)? Never. I can't recall a single such case. Now I hear a lot from non-blogging readers, but complains of "A-listers" and "circle jerks" just don't seem to come up.
Posted by: Gabe at November 19, 2006 12:15 AMHi Hugh, as long as Techmeme leads to interesting conversations, it will serve it's purpose. And in this respect, you are right!
I think the reason a lot of bloggers (me included!) criticise tools like Techmeme, Digg, et al is because they are unable to get onto these, and improve their blog views. However, it is also correct that there is only more of the same muchness on these sites!
Oh, btw, the Gapingvoid widget still doesn't work on wordpress.com :-(
Posted by: Just Mohit at November 19, 2006 7:30 AMHi Gabe,
I do agree with you that there will always be issues of comprehensiveness, or lack of inclusion with any aggregator, whether it's a publisher-managed one, or a user-managed one!
However, I have a small issue with your point about Techmeme to be considered as just another blog. When you set out to be an aggregator, like it or not, the issue of fairness will be central. Unless you want it to be a walled garden, which (I'm assuming) you don't!
Posted by: Just Mohit at November 19, 2006 12:26 PMMohit, I disagree that fairness is central. "What's in it for the user" is central. And the users extend FAR beyond the blogosphere...
Posted by: hugh macleod at November 19, 2006 1:02 PMWhen will all you self proclaimed A-list bloggers finally realize that no one else give a crap about this kind of stuff. You'll all in this big circle-jerk with each other. All you do is blog about blogging. Yawn.
Posted by: Starling at November 19, 2006 4:30 PMWhat the fuck is techmeme? - I suppose that puts me in my place.
Posted by: Ian Green at November 19, 2006 6:40 PMHey, I read Techmeme and I have sex. The difference is that I can have Techmeme several times a day.
Posted by: shel israel at November 21, 2006 3:16 AMGood one, Shel!
If anyone wants to buck the trend and link to an unknown blogger....(lifts large red arrow pointing to herself, and smiles brightly).
C'mon, where else are you gonna get pants that shout, "YOU CAN'T IGNORE ME!", crossdressers, and vibrators up the anus?
lol
Posted by: Marti at November 21, 2006 3:13 PMBuon giorno!
Check this out!
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