Local Blog Hits Near-Record View Count!
Ok, right off the bat, I have to admit that title of this is, well, a little click-baity. It's not untrue, as this blog did ALMOST hit a record number of views yesterday! However, that number was 76, which is admittedly low compared to other sites and blogs.
But it did get me thinking about our obsession with numbers, particularly in this new social media era. Truth be told, I've had the most meaningful interactions when just one person takes the time out to comment on a post, often when the "views" are in the single digits (aka my mom plus a couple of people who accidentally clicked on the wrong link). So even in light of that fact, why do I more often place a heavier premium on the volume of views or likes as opposed to the quality or content of the writing, or the quality of the interaction with readers?
A few ideas:
Like many bloggers, I have a half-formed dream of making a living writing. Conventional wisdom from the benevolent blogging overlords says that the way to do that is to increase traffic/eyeballs/{insert-your-own-analogy-for-views}. But every time I make that a focus, it feels wrong, and my writing suffers (Queue the obligatory self-defacing comment - "Not that you can tell!"- Hi-yo!).
I am falling prey to the core belief that being popular is more important than having a few really good friends (or readers, in this case - or both!). This thought takes me back to my teenage years, when the angst of wanting to fit in led me to ignore key meaningful relationships in a quest to be a part of the popular crowd. It hurts to think of the times I missed the opportunity to build close relationships with some really great people. And although I'm thankful for the life I have now, I have very few close friends, and I think this is why.
There's another core belief that somehow got lodged in my soul at a young age, and although it could be described by different terms, it often surfaces in self-thought phrases like "You don't measure up." (I wonder if anyone can relate?) And although I've spent many years now combating that fundamental deceptive thought, or more importantly the assumptions that lie beneath it, it can still be a powerful driver, if I let it. I mean, even the name of this blog hints at it. While the title Second-Rate Scientist was meant to denote the fact that I am more interested in writing than science, and therefore not particularly astute at my "day job," it still carries the self-deprecating insistence that I'm lacking something fundamental. So, my temptation is often, if I find something that works, some type of post that people like, even if it goes against the type of writing I actually enjoy and want to present, to engage in the song and dance, to pander for likes, and it all seems off. It often turns out that I missed the mark with what people want anyway!
We are quickly approaching a point in our society where our very perceived value is determined by how many people are looking at/commenting on/liking/praising you at any given moment. I truly worry for my kids, that they are growing up in a time when, if you're not "internet famous," you have little worth. So, I try to make sure they know that they are valued for who they are, by their family and by a God who created them. And as much as I say that I hate what I fear we are becoming, as much as I can write that it's all a bit sad, I would not turn down a little slice of notoriety, if it came to that. I am broken like the rest.
None of this to say that having many views or fans or followers is wrong. Besides, isn't it always those who are unpopular who say popularity is overrated? :) Perhaps. I plan to continue to write, and I welcome more eyeballs. This is just a reflection on the motivation, and I hope I can find the right one as this journey continues.
(A big thank you to fellow writer Heidi at https://heidiviars.com/ ("Wings of the Dawn") for the great discussion and encouragement surrounding this topic. Follow her if you don't already!)