[...] What if I’m not as good as I once thought I was? What if I’m like those people on American Idol auditions that think they’re good because family and friends told them they were awesome, only they are really bad?? What if if all the stuff people have said are really just Shmophies?? [...]

[...] at this game, so I want you to be aware of that right off that bat. You all know how I feel about Shmophies. Let’s face it. Not everyone’s a winner. Not everyone can be good at Elite cookware. [...]

[...] Leah left this comment on Temerity Jane’s blog related to the different reasons people have for blogging: …Some kids take ice skating [...]

Another point is that I don’t think the idea of training people to write better through a series of rewards is going to work. I don’t think enough people are qualified trainers.

And I most definitely think it cheapens the good stuff–the really truly brilliant writing/writers out there–when praise is thrown at the mediocre stuff just as often (or at the “brave” and “hard” stuff that may very well be brave and hard and yet doesn’t deserve the “good writing” ribbons pinned on it).

Maybe this is why I hardly ever comment on the majority of blogs I read and why I drool all over a few of them because they’re Just! So! Good! Flukes happen, yes, and brilliance can appear in a flash and then be gone, but in general, I think, great writing comes out of great writers, and those people are usually great most of the time, whether they’re writing about hard stuff or about picking their boogers. And I make a special effort to give trophies to the well-written posts about boogers because that shit takes some serious talent.

I’m upgrading my blog right now because I want a new header and theme and plugins and other sparkly bits. I’m a geek, yes.

I don’t write often enough for it to be about the Olympic content, I don’t promote it enough to be concerned about the cool girls noticing.

It’s all about the sparkly unitard, baby.

I don’t disagree, necessarily, with the idea of Shmophies. What I disagree with is the intent behind them (in some cases) and the attitudes they generate (in some cases).

That is – when Shmophies are given because you want to work your way into a certain blogging circle, because you feel like “If I don’t comment on theirs, they won’t comment on mine,” or to maintain some sort of false reputation, I disagree with them.

And also – when an abundance of Shmophies has given someone an inflated sense of their own greatness and a clearly displayed sense of blogger entitlement, I roll my eyes.

It’s gotten to the point that they’re predictable. Any post discussing a hard topic will not only garner praise on how strong the writer is, but also what a talented writer they are. In some cases, that is true. But in many, it just rings false. Writing about a hard subject isn’t automatically good writing, but we’re conditioned to praise the quality of the writing itself as a knee jerk reaction whenever someone tackles a hard subject. (Just an example)

Is there anything wrong with that? In the grand scheme of things, no. But rather than hand out empty praise because it’s what “everyone is doing,” I’d rather comment on the topic itself, and save my praise for skillful writing for someone who is actually a skillful writer. (Again, example)

Anyone can write anything they want for any reason. I fully support that. It may be snobby or exclusive to say, but some bloggers are extremely talented writers, and the praise I may want to give them is cheapened if I hand the same words to anyone who tackles a tough topic. Some bloggers put a lot of hard work into being original, articulate, funny, etc and I don’t think that giving the same kind of attention to them as I give to someone who totally bites their style to be fair to either party. My words ring hollow to the talented, while the ones who could be encouraged to be “better” bloggers (whether in writing, originality, community participation or any number of things) feel no drive to improve because they’ve got tons of Shmophies telling them they don’t have to.

I had a point in here, and I hope you could see it, because I think I lost it way back in the longest reply to a first-timer comment ever.

My point is, I think, that … everyone is free to do what they want. But… not everyone is good at everything.

Well, even if I am surrounded by yes men, they’re MY yes men and my friends(as far as I know) and ergo, I am happy.

:D

There have absolutely been times where I’ve rolled my eyes at blog awards or super-special-invite-only parties or people who think they should be making a living as bloggers when they, in fact, suck big time and long time. But…if they have people standing around throwing shmophies at them for just showing up? And that makes them feel proud and part of an appreciative community? I don’t know…I guess I just wouldn’t want to take that small glory away from them because sometimes the shmophies are all they have, you know?

(Thus endeth the longest first-timer comment ever.)

Also, I am sad that I had to harp so much on people not getting the REAL point of the post, because the idea of making my kids put their participation trophies on a separate SHMOPHIES shelf is, frankly, hilarious.

Your 4th category is indeed one I missed, and can, in fact apply to bloggers as well. Lots of good ones have packed it in.

And some good ones (one) have come back! Hooray, Miss Doxie!