Economy Size Geek

Ok I saw this linked to on a blog:

ad free blog *saying no to corporate advertising*

By using this icon on my website I am stating…

1. That I am opposed to the use of corporate advertising on blogs.

2. That I feel the use of corporate advertising on blogs devalues the medium.

3. That I do not accept money in return for advertising space on my blog.

signed,

the author

I currently don’t have ads that pay money - though I am working on that (now that Basecamp has a referral program). But I find this sort of thing funny. I think that if you don’t want ads on your blog that’s totally your right as the blog owner. I’m down with that. The idea that corporate advertising on blogs devalues the medium in the idea that really stands out as the odd statement in there.

#2 is the thing that really pulled this out for comment.

First of all, I think the whole of idea of any one thing underming the “medium” of blogging patently silly. The thing that does the most harm to the legitamacy of blogging are the trillions of blogs that have 1 post on them - My First Post - and nothing else - or the “Cheese Sandwich Blogs” - which are the ones that are so boring they have nothing more than what they ate recently.

Blogs as a “medium” have only gained in value - thanks in a large part to the role they play in the larger world of journalism and discussion. Some of those bloggers are paid to do what they do. I’m actually in favor of that. The revenue thing can probably cut both ways - meaning you end up being influenced by your advertisers but on the other hand it should prevent you from doing something stupid and shotty because it would impact your revenue.

I suppose the blogosphere is going through that phase that the rest of the internet handled with AOL first started letting it’s members on the Internet. That “golden” age ended - and for some the Internet would never be the same - thank god! The first time I saw a web browser I didn’t think it was much of an improvement over Gopher. Now look at it - more people - more stuff - hell I live on the Internet - it entertains , educates, and employees me.

That is basically what advertising does - it brings more people to the party by the shear fact that writing a blog takes time and effort. The posibility to make a little money in the process is good because it may convince voices to come out that other wise wouldn’t be here.

Besides - you might as well use ads to remind you that everything you read on the Internet could be a lie purpetrated by some far out political group - or some Spam generator hell bent on SOE