SPLATT

I had this Citizen obit site sent my way, and I’m sure it is old news to some, but I thought the employee cathartic process of the content was interesting.

And if nothing else, I think we can all connect with the real human emotions of job loss.

Job dissatisfaction is the stuff of song.

The stuff of  movies.

And so on.

Thoughts?

Imagine Hate Free Blog Traffic

Ryn’s comments today and at least one email I saw joking “– It’s too bad there weren’t ads on the site today! Think of the impressions!”  has got me wondering…

Just how far should one go to draw traffic to their blog or site?

It’s pretty common fare these days for media to pit one person against the other then watch the carnage.

The traffic will be robust.

The advertising dollars will flow.

But is this journalism?

Is this what blogs should be?

Is there a greater good that needs to be served?

Or is a blog nothing more than a forum for a cyber cock fight?

 (Heh-heh… he said cock fight.)

Right now as a Tucson Citizen blogger, there has been email about “blogger-generated site sponsorships and advertising.”

While the majority of us do this for free,  I’m sure everyone would like to see some revenue generated for their efforts.

As bloggers, we’re updated weekly on the traffic our blogs generate  (as some of you already know from my previous posts).

A few actually have jobs on the line.

In the Gannet version of Survivor, it is now down to the final few and the immunity idol’s been played.

So naturally the jaded journalist in me wonders if  on some level this wasn’t all intentional.

Or maybe unintentionally intentional.

I do not know Ryn, but I can’t help wonder how she thought people would react to comments like: 

“Here’s another one that could straddle the crap list: bilingual signs.”

or

“Yes, I know, there is no national language. But there should be. And yes, it should be English.”

After the TC site crashed from heavy traffic, there is no doubt it was a traffic bonanza.

Once the dust settles and the drama passes, will a bean counter somewhere smile over the numbers?

In a recent blog post I tested sensationalism out with a post about Michael Jackson’s legs and it nailed me a number two spot for traffic (although my Monkey Reform School post didn’t even show. No accounting for taste).

But I also found it left me feeling hollow.

Again, what Ryn’s intentions were for her blog post are a mystery to me, I am sure as she has stated  it was all a mix of ignorance and innocence.

What I’m interested in now is learning your thoughts?

How far should bloggers go for a couple of clicks?

Where do you draw the line for yourself?

Should blogger’s heed a moral compass or does anything go?

And at what cost?

What are your thoughts?

This is the time to be heard.

Perhaps with some sensitivity, we could all learn to get along a little better.

Photo of mysterious monkey-like creatures photographed at feeding time during a recent trip to the Central Park Zoo in New York City which is presented here for illustrative purposes only. PHOTO: GLENN WEYANT

You might ask yourself:  What is the connection between news stories about Michael Jackson’s legs and a rogue monkey reform school In India?

Good question.

Last week I posted a story about Michael Jackson’s odd leg condition.

Then I asked if this was the sort of news you’d like to see more of.

AZMOUSE summed up the majority opinion by noting: “Well, I thought it was interesting.”

So based upon  last week’s statistical click position, this week I would like to ask for your thoughts regarding Rogue Monkey Reform School.

Yep.

Hardened outlaw monkeys doing time for their crimes against humanity.

You like?

Over time I hope to  establish a sort of news appetite baseline.

What news do you find tasty?

What news gives you the quick step?

And so on.

Your feedback and clicks will help me refine this blog further as time allows.

At this point: Dead pop star news is tops.

Thank you and stay in touch.

SPLATT site stats for the MJ story:

A: Top 50 Page views by blog for the week July 17 to July 23: (Legacy site traffic deleted):

# 18. SPLATT 659 views or 0.8% of the site total.

B: Top 50 Page Views by Post for the week of July 17 – July 23:

2. STRANGE PHOTOS OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S LEGS – SPLATT 589 views or 1.4% of the site total.

Not Michael Jackson's Legs But A Possible Authentic Scenario If He Were To Hang In Tucson Playing A Banjo And Drinking A Beer And Did Not Look Like Himself

Earlier this week the Clan of TucsonCitizen Bloggers were forwarded traffic details for Web posts.

From what I can tell audience interests lie more with FOX than PBS.

And this got me to thinking:

What is it you the reader want to read about?

So here is the first story in a series of experiments.

Now, would you like to read:

More like this?

Less like this?

Kindly post your thoughts if you wish and when the numbers for SPLATT come out later this week I’ll share them with you.