Feb08
15
Showcasing South Africa’s Lesser Known Blogs And Bloggers
I’ve been picking up on a vibe lately (summarised by Jon Bishop in his recent post) that there is a perception that an elitist sect of South African bloggers believe that they are in “some sort of special members only club and ignore people they don’t know”. While I’m sure there is some truth to this, I have two immediate thoughts:
1. It’s possible that one or two rotten eggs are spoiling the whole barrel.
2. It’s ironic that any blogger, and let me use myself as a prime example, should consider himself important or influential as what we do is fundamentally (or typically) geeky, time-consuming, abstract, self-centered and in 99% of cases costs more money than it makes. Had I bragged about doing what I do now back at school I might have been severely abused for it. I might still be 
So being an influential blogger, if I am that at all, is really not much in the bigger scheme of things. That said I consider it a real compliment that anyone would read anything I write, so that’s nice.
So I want to flip the lid on this one. It would be great to showcase some of the lesser known quality blogs in SA and get more of us nasty self-interested circle-jerking elitists talking about them and linking to them.
If you’d like me to review your blog, or want to recommend a blog to me that doesn’t get the attention it deserves, either comment in this post or send me an email. I will review them as I receive them, or as I discover new sites of my own accord.
I happen to you think you are definitely one of the elitest blogs and by far do not come across (in your blog) as a ’sepcial members only/ type of guy! You’re a fantastic blogger and inspiration to someone like me. yes, unknown and yes, definitely bottom half of the log, but reading your blog inspires me to research / read /blog more. it’s something i’m passionate about and will continue to do without feeling the need to be a ‘member of the gang’ - so keep up the fantastic work Mike. I’m an avid reader and fan
I think the concept of showcasing some “smaller” or more unknown blogs is a fantastic idea. Sort of like the pop idols for the blogosphere. From “baby blog” to possible blogging superstar? Who knows? Look forward to seeing the results and response!
[...] decides to showcase South African lesser known bloggers: “So I want to flip the lid on this one. It would be great to showcase some of the lesser [...]
@Michelle - thanks for the kind words. We must catch up next time I’m in that crappy place with the mountain.
Hey Mike, with the Blog Awards coming up, I tried with my latest post to round up some of the less known SA blogs and get people nominating them.
It might help you find some of the lesser known blogs.
This is hilarious. An invitation to engage in attention-seeking behaviour! Bring on the Ritalin.
Hey Mike. I must agree with Michelle and say that you were not one of the people I was thinking of when I wrote that post. Your dealings with me have been very friendly and responsive although some people have named you as one. So it’s obvious to see that there are mixed perceptions about our dealings with people in web 2.0 space which is all about sharing and caring! Just ignoring one person can affect your image.
The best thing to come out of that post, I think, is how everyone has sat up and asked themselves if they are living up to the values of the social media space that they all preach about
Hi Mike,
I would appreciate it if you would review my blog.
Thanks,
Wade
Hello Mike,
Could you please review my blog.
Thanks a ton,
Lizeete
[...] I decided I will openly show my nominations, not for my own benefit, but hopefully to help show case some of the blogs I [...]
Hey Mike
I rekon, Im one of those undiscovered blog blokes that your writing about, Im a photojournalist in JHB, I write first hand about my opinions and experiences covering the news we read about in the newspapers. Review me please…Dont hold back ,be brutally honest…
Actually, on second thought, just say I rock.
Neil
[...] couple of weeks back I wrote a post expressing a desire to see more of South Africa’s (possibly) lesser known blogs and bloggers [...]