Wednesday 17 April 2013

Offically, I'm bowing out gracefully. Unofficially, it's time to ramp up the swearing

While I have greatly enjoyed participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge, I've decided to no longer officially participate. This morning I saw that one of the participants has been singled out by the A to Z organizer, who has taken issue with the amount of swearing on her blog and changed her blog designation from humour to adult content. Basically, he called her blog obscene, offensive and implied her site is a waste if time unless you're the type of person who only reads blogs for shock value or entertainment.

Let me just make it clear, this was how *I* perceived his comments to her...that may not be exactly what he was trying to say, but that's certainly how his comments came across, in my opinion. Perception seems to be at the heart of the matter...how does one perceive a quality blog vs an offensive blog? That's up to the individual. What makes a blog a quality blog for me all boils down to the writing...does the writer write with passion about his/her subject? Does the post come alive on the page? Does the post resonate and make me feel something (whether that feeling is happy, hopeful, outraged, awestruck, or best of all to me, makes me laugh myself into an asthma attack)? Likewise, a blog that is a bunch of poorly written dreck not fit to wipe your ass with, with zero passion and so fucking boring I want to gouge my eyes out? Is highly fucking offensive to me. And when I find a post like that, I click off the link and never go back. It's just that simple.

Part of the problem is I don't think the rules were all that clear about what constitutes adult content and I was wondering about my own blog when I signed up. To me, saying "fuck" and "shit" and "douchcanoe" does not qualify as adult content because 1) the blogging world is made up of mostly adults who may not always appreciate a well-placed "motherfucker" but will not be scarred for life by one either and 2) if your kid is reading my blog and you don't think they should be (why a kid would want to read my blog in the first place is sort of a moot point, since the last time I checked, pics of lips that look like a giant eyeball and complaints about how dentists are all closet sadists were not real popular with the 12-year-old set), then you may want to either invest in a parental control program for your computer or monitor their internet usage more closely, and 3) if you have a clearly written disclaimer that your blog contains swearing and may be offensive to people with delicate sensibilites, that should be good enough. It's not hardcore midget clown porn, it's an f-bomb...get over it.

All that stuff kind of bugs me, but whatever...it's a blogging challenge and there are rules. But the same rules should apply to everyone and not just be enforced arbitrarily, which seems to be what's happening.

What really bothered me was my perception (see, there's that word again) of Mr Bird's lowered opinion of the type of blogs that myself, and so many others that I enjoy reading  here, write. This is part of my comment I left on Don't Call Me Marge 's post, which is a post about the the ongoing shit she's been receiving during this challenge:

What I'm really taking offense to is his suggestion that blogs like yours (and mine, for that matter) are a waste of time. Excuse me??? My blog may not be inspiring world peace or making people cry because it's so beautifully insightful but last time I checked, there was no hierarchy of blogging that states any blog that does not conform to one guy's opinion of what good writing is automatically gets consigned to the blogging sewer.

I write inane posts about stupid shit. My goal is to make someone laugh so hard they spit their beverage all over their laptop. It's not a cure for cancer, but life without laughter is a life not worth living, IMHO. Who gives a flying fuck about what you write, as long as it's well-written? Is that not the goal of writing, to write something that comes to life on the page?


So I've concluded that perhaps this challenge is not for me and my type of writing. I've had a great time but I'm not interested in officially participating in a challenge that doesn't seem to celebrate all types and styles of writing, and that has rules that are enforced arbitrarily and unequally. I'll still post my remaining posts that I prewrote (no sense in letting them go to waste) and I'll still be reading my favourite A to Z bloggers because your posts rock...enjoy the rest of the challenge, thank you for all the wonderful comments on my A to Z posts and I'm sorry for the epic length of this post...kudos to you if you read the whole fucking thing!

PS, One cool thing that did come out of all of this is a new challenge for the month of May...

The rules are lax, you don't have to post every day unless you feel like it, and swearing is required...fucking rights I'm in! Click on the image for more info and to sign up!    

43 comments:

  1. Wow! Makes me wonder if I'll be singled out next. I really don't like hearing that happened, thanks for sharing, and swearing!

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    1. It really does suck...rules for a challenge are fine, but you make them clear and then enforce them across the board. You cannot start picking and choosing people to single out, that's not fair.

      I'm a a little disappointed...I really wanted to finish the challenge, but I can't in good conscience participate in something that makes me feel like some kind of second-rate blogger because I swear a lot and don't aim to inspire and inform with my writing. I like knowing I've made someone giggle or smile...that's my reward and it's awesome :)

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  2. Wow, another site where people want to tell others how to blog and what to write? Fuck that, I thought we left that shit behind forever???

    BLOG ON, woman! I don't know anyone who can weave as colorful of a tapestry of swearing as you can!

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    1. Ha! So did I...I've had enough of the blog police to last me the rest of my life. Mind you, I do see the need for some kinds of rules for a blogging challenge that almost 2000 people sign up for. My first issue is, make the rules crystal clear and enforce them for everyone. My second issue is, how can you have a humour catagory and not realize that a lot of humour tends to be someone raunchy and full of cursing? My final and biggest issue is this perception that humour bloggers who say "fuck" a lot are somehow inferior writers. One person's opinion of what "bad" writing is, is just that...their opinion

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  3. Fucking awesome! Douchecnoe?? I may like that as much as my own twat waffles. I may fucking steal it.

    Thanks for whoring out The ABC's of Swearing Challenge. I'm going to whore you out on my FB now. One good whoring deserves another, and all that.

    -The Insomniac's Dream

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    1. I love a good whoring...my blog is an orifice just waiting to be blog-banged lolol

      I'm really looking forward to spending a month swearing like a sailor...it's my natural habitat, where I enjoy congregating with other dirty-mouths :D

      Douchecanoe, douchtard, douchetastic assdouche...so many variations, just waiting to be written!

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  4. Holy shit! The revolution will not be televised, IT WILL BE BLOGGED. I'm going to finish my A to Z posts though because fuck if I'm going to let him stop me.

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    1. I'm happy you are going to finish, if nothing else than to make a point that there is no one "right" way to do a blogging challenge. I still want to finish the A to Z, but I don't want to write under their banner if that's the attitude towards humour blogs

      Viva la blogging revolution!!!

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    2. Good. I love your A to Z.

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    1. Awww, thanks! It was your post about all this that got me worked up into a rage. Ok, not really a rage, more of an annoyance, but the whole thing left a generally bad taste in my mouth. Like I said in my post, The ABC's of Swearing challenge came out of all of this and that's going to be awesome!

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  6. I'm just glad you'll still be doing your posts, because I've really been enjoying them!

    As a blogger who rarely curses on her blog, I am not at all offended by people who do. I agree, quality writing and entertainment value is what is important. The point is, everyone has different tastes and not every blog will appeal to every reader, whether it is a blog that curses or one about quilts. Subject matter has nothing to do with quality.

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    1. That's exactly it...everyone has different opinions of what quality writing is and blogging would be pretty fucking boring if anyone wrote in the same style. Each person has a right to their own opinion of what they enjoy, so why not let them read for themselves and decide if they like it or not, without sticking a label on it that gives an often-untrue first impression?

      I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed my posts, that always makes me happy to know...I'm gonna try to finish the challenge, just unofficially :)

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  7. What gets me is that there are tons of blogs still doing the challenge, who are using much more 'colourful' language and they're still up. So what exactly is the criteria for who goes and who stays. And when was censorship, part of the blogging world??

    AND I've also noticed, that those who are oft to complain, are bloody well ill mannered in the comments they leave on other people's post. But the 'foul mouthed' blogger, is always polite in their response. What's up with that shit?

    Sad you're bowing out but understand and respect why. Your posts have been one of the highlights and the funniest on this challenge. I salute you. :)

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    1. I'm not understanding the critera either...and who knows, maybe it's not clear to the organizers either.

      I'm a little more pissed off about the censorship part at this point...some self-appointed Blog Policeperson has taken it upon themselves to suggest I be removed from the list ASAP because apparently my current post is "fowl"(???) I am "land basting"(?????) the organizers and "is making trouble by posting every cuss word he (fyi I'm female) knows" (btw, not even fucking close...my cussing vocabulary is legion). Personally, I'll take swearing over the language-mangling any day.

      Land basting. I cannot stop laughing.

      Thanks for that, Lily...I'll still post the ones I pre-wrote, just not as part of the official challenge. And I'm looking forward to the continuing story of Spawn's world domination :)

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    2. Seriously!!! That is bloody disgusting. The reason I was in two minds about doing the challenge, was the overt censorship. I assumed that as adults, if you came across the word 'fuck', you would think, this is not for me and move on, not go crying to the organizers like a new born baby.
      If I finish this challenge, I certainly won't be taking part next year...bastards! :)

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  8. I'm sorry to hear this is happening. Douchecanoe made me laugh. :) I will go visit the poor writer censored.

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    1. I really like her writing...just found her today, so that's another good thing that came out of all this...gotta look on the positive side :)

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  9. What an asswipe, and you are a trusted blogging friend to support a fellow blogger like that!

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    1. Thank you!

      Women who swear like truckers need to stick up for each other :)

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  10. Oh this sucks. Sorry you're bailing, but it won't stop me from stalking you. (; I'm going to check out the links and find out what the hell is going on.

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    1. I'm happy you'll continue to stalk me, I'm certainly going to keep stalking you

      The situation is just a bummer :(

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  11. Well I enjoyed it, I come back soon and have a good read.
    #atozchallenge
    expatbrazil

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  12. Damn. 5 flaming middle fingers here from me...
    I really like your blog. It's of more interest to me than reading posts from one of the 90% religious-and-happy blogs all the time... jusss sayin. Now I'm even more excited for May!

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    1. This challenge was good for me in the sense that I spread my wings reading-wise. I tend to mostly stick to blogs like mine, but I found some fabulous blog that I never would have known about had I not traveled out of my reading comfort zone.

      I'm sure there's an audience for knitting-with-jesus-type of blogs, but that's not my thing. To each their own :)

      I hope you signed up for the swearing challenge...it's gonna be FUN!!

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  13. If you don't mind my asking, what is a douchcanoe? Sorry to see you leave the challenge, I have been so enjoying the flaming fingers. I am with Elise on this one. I'll be back.

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    1. It's a person who's a bigger asshole than just a regular douchebag...a canoe-sized asshole lol

      The flaming middle fingers will make semi-regular return engagements, because I've grown quite fond of having a Hate-O-Meter...I'm really pleased other people have enjoyed that part too. Glad you'll be sticking around :)

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  14. Great idea- Now I can continue my A-Z blog theme in May but stick in Spanish swears. You are right, if people are going to get that offended about swears then they shouldn't be on the internet.

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    1. Oooo....swearing in Spanish would not only be fun, but educational for the rest of us too!! Great idea!

      I don't expect everyone to enjoy curse words as much as I do, but I think there are bigger things to worry about in this world than the occasional f-bomb

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  15. WTHFB?! (it's my new acronym that's sweeping the nation) Ummm, clearly they aren't reading most of my posts because I think I would have gotten like a certified letter after the "L" one (well, I definitely will now). I was the "fuck" winner that day! Now I'm disgusted, if only I could express myself somehow, you know, in a way that was worthwhile or informative but nay, I like blowing up the fucktastic way too much! Rock on, Obi Wan!

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    1. My A to Z Fairy didn't seem to have a problem with the swearing on my blog either...I'm sure there were lots of people who visited and did not enjoy my blogging style, so they did what normal people do and just left

      You need to do the ABC's of Swearing Challenge too!

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  16. As you may already know, I adore you with a fiery fucking passion that burns my loins, and I had to stop reading at "hardcore midget clown porn" to tell you that. I'll be back to leave you a "real" comment when I'm done. Just... Holy fuck, I love you!

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    1. Oooo...loin burning is my favourite fucking passion...except when it starts to burn when I pee

      Have you ever googled hardcore midget clown porn? Don't do it unless you have eyeball bleach at the ready lol

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  17. *sigh of relief* I'm done now. I read it, agree with the entire thing, and I think that you may have just given me a way to quit without "the voices" winning my bet with me, because that whole thing really was immature and retarded on a whale-sized scale. My "stalker/A-Z Fairy" was pretty awesome. She is now "one of you" because she is entertained by what I write. I was, however, warned about the same things for the same reasons. It's been harder keeping my posts "clean" than writing on an alphabetically themed topic, and that just sucks. I find that I'm writing about animals more than I wanted to because nothing else qualifies as "appropriate" at the moment.
    I've often thought throughout this challenge that something needed to be done for us funny folk, and this is amazing. I am SO IN on Jenn and Starr's A-Z swearing challenge next month that it hurts. Literally. I've been racking my brain for two days now for A-Z swear words, and I'm shooting blanks faster than a 90yr old Zorro. I've got at least 12 new words to come up with for this, but am wholeheartedly looking forward to it...

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    1. My A-Z Fairy is awesome and she seemed to like my posts and never said anything about the swearing, so I figured it wasn't that big of a deal across the board. Apparently I figured wrong.

      That was the hardest part of this challenge for me too, was trying to keep it fairly clean...I think a couple posts I did would have been a lot funnier if I hadn't held back on them

      Ha!! I knew you'd be all over the swearing challenge like white on rice!! If I can't come up with a good swear word each day, I'm making one up

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  18. I quite like a well placed douchecanoe or motherfucker in a post. If it's done well, it's like art. Filthy, filthy art.

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    1. It really can be an art form...a dirty, foul art form

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  19. Wow, the blog police strikes again, amazing.

    Riding My Own Biography
    NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

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    1. I don't think it matters where you blog, someone is always going to appoint themselves the blog police, unfortunately

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  20. WOW! I am sorry about this. I really enjoy your blog and I found it because of A-Z. I think your posts are hysterical.

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    1. Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy them! Hope you keep visiting :)

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  21. Wow! How did I miss this? I know I'm behind on my reading, but damn!
    Sorry to hear you're bowing out, but I totally support your decision. I'm shocked no one's come after me yet. Ridiculous. Just damn ridiculous.

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