I can't stand it.
Do you know when someone stands up in a room like they are more important than anyone else, and says something like they are God's gift to all of us, just so they can have all the attention? I call it grandstanding, and I hate it because it makes the rest of us feel like we are all lesser beings.
I feel the same way about "vlogging." When we were watching the Lonely Girl video in class, I almost wanted to turn away because watching her just aimlessly talk to me got on my nerves. See, I am a big believer in the phrase that some people are "all style, no substance," and I feel that if you have nothing worthwhile to say, just don't say it. No matter how well you can say it or how cute you think you are when you say it, please just avoid talking. Reserve those random thoughts for a lame Twitter account, or a Facebook status... Sorry, but I had to get that rant out of my system.
Ok, I'll admit that I may be over exaggerating and over generalizing people that "vlog." I am sure that there are a lot of people that enjoy following and watching vloggers. Also, I am sure that a lot of vlogs have great content that people are interested in learning more about. Yet, you have to understand where I am coming from. I am a person who likes to be low key, and I can't stand when someone always has to be the center of attention. One thing that I love about the Internet is that it is based on pure substance where your content has to be authentic and interesting or else people won't pay attention to it. I feel that vlogs represent the complete opposite, and promote personalities that are unauthentic and tailored to a specific "invisible audience," which Nussbaum referred to in "Say Anything." These people will do anything for people to watch their vlog. Whereas, I feel that a traditional blog is more likely to show the authenticity of the author and his work. Even though blogs and other new media are not free of bloviation, I rarely feel that like I am being talked down to when I read a blog. In my opinion, I think that most vloggers are just looking for more attention than everyone else.
In the end, I know that this is really just my own personal vendetta against vlogs. Some people love them, and perhaps, I just haven't found the vlog that was right for me. Yet, I don't think that time is coming anytime soon. I'll continue to blog, post, tweet, and even check-in, but if you ever expect me to vlog, don't hold your breath.
(Seriously, buddy, you made me smirk, but do you really have nothing else to do?)
So I hadn't really thought of vlogging in this mindset, but you make a valid point. On the other hand, some people just suck at writing, plain and simple. I'm glad they aren't trying to put into words their mindless thoughts that are more harmful to the English language than expressive. For those of us who enjoy sitting down to our computers and throwing together a few well written posts, blogging is just right. For the rest of the Internet-using community who perhaps can't form a coherent sentence, I think it's best if they stick with sitting behind their webcams.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you, however, that sitting in class the other day watching Lonely Girl was not easy. Her acting career is going nowhere fast, and that is definitely not a blog for me either.
I also feel that vlogging is pretty lame compared to regular blogging. Vlogging sort of reminds me of the difference between print journalism and broadcast journalism. Broadcast journalism, like vlogging, provides a basic headline of the information, but doesn't delve any deeper than that. They're both also obsessed with appearance and rarely flow well.
ReplyDeleteHonestly guys...I don't get vlogging. It makes me feel so uncomfortable. For example, when we watched the things on Lonelygirl...it was just so weird to me. But Kit makes a good point, these forms do offer a basic headline of info...its cut and dry. Like Dr. Akhavan said, we are apparently the 'short attention span era'. Makes me wonder...
ReplyDeleteI'm also right there with ya Bill ( and everyone else). Vlogging also makes me feel uncomfortable. One thing I do like about vlogging is the spoofs and commentary on them. These people are telling the world all about there unimportant problems and commentary on topics no one wants their opinions on. This is awful, yet, at the same time, gives a lot of material for people whose personalities are actually interesting or at least entertaining.
ReplyDeleteProof of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4_SOJZjkc4&feature=related
On it's always sunny. It's pretty hilarious but with lonely girl..not so much. You might disagree but Tosh.0 although I don't watch it too often and when spoofs like pathetic girl come out. Having people embarrass themselves via Vlogs doesn't seem too bad.