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Blog Swap II: The Utopia of ReciprocalGuest Posting

Posted by Maladjusted • 8/19/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blog catalog, blog swap, blogging, guest posting

Dear all,

Just then, while I was reading some of N.P.s aphorisms I was been mulling over something that I just thought I might share with everyone:

One of the first discussions that I ever joined here (about a month ago) was a thread started by Lolita called "Blog Exchange." The thread posed the question: "whose blog would you take over if you had to pick one of the ones on B.C." The thread had many respondents, many people named their favourite blogs et cetera.

Now, my thought is: wouldn't it be interesting (and potentailly amusing) if a few of you were actually try to do this, i.e. why don't a few of you -- those who know each other best -- try a kind of once off reciprocal guest posting thing?

Further explanation:
1) Obviously the 'swap' would have to be consensual. A writes a potential post for B, B. checks it out, approves it with right of veto, and vice versa.

2) The idea would be either to do a kind of HOMAGE to the other person's blog, such that if, I don't know, Green Curmudgeon wrote for N.P.'s blogs, he'd try his hand at aphorisms, while N.P. would tell an amusing story from Zizek and then say something thougthful about the state of the world.

3)Alternatively, the swap could be precisely about incongrouity. I mean, on the original "Blog Exchange thread" I originally suggested that I would write for "My OMFG sex life", precisely because it would be so....inevitably silly..

4) Scholia on 3: obviously the 'incongrous/humourous thing' could easily be taken as an excuse for people to be nasty to each other, hence the requirement that the 'swap' be consensual. Obviously, we don't want a situation where Bernard Blogworthy takes over Beatrice Bloggorama's blog, only to say: "I'm Beatrice, I'm such an idiot et cetera. I'd hate to be myself with my stupid blog et cetera."

5) I'm not so much interested in participating in this thing myself (don't really know a candidate for the RECIPROCAL swap) as I'm suggesting that this might be a good and fun idea, in the cases, where ('scuse the pleonasm) where it would be good and fun. I mean, obviously, it won't work, in many (perhaps most) cases, but if people do know each other and each other's BLOGS well enough, couldn't something like this be tried...with the rest of us having the benefits of the results....?

Best,

Mal

User Comments

8/19/09

Hels

I am up for it!

In homage to your themes, I would be happy to write on the life and times of one of the late 17th century British thinkers, especially Anthony Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury. It would be more history than philosophy, but I know a good thinker and writer when I see one.

In return, you would honour my themes if you chose to analyse the thinking behind a new art movement eg what were the intellectual goals of modernism in early 20th century architecture (Paris, Barcelona, Glasgow or Vienna).

Interested?

[reply]
8/19/09

Maladjusted

Dear Hels,

Thank you for your very generous offer. When I posted this thread, I seriously wasn't expecting that anyone would offer to do this with regards to my blog. I'd also be delighted to accept a guest post on Shaftesbury on my blog. The only problem is with my end of the deal: I'm really a total ignoramus when it comes to architecure. I mean, when I think of "modernism", I can think mainly of literary references (Joyce, Proust, Pound et cetera). Please let me think about this some more and get back to you. Basically: I like the idea, but I just need a way of making a contribution to your blog, rather than wasting your time.

Best,

Mal.

[reply]
8/19/09

crpitt

If all the guest posts were written to the standard of this discussion alone, then it would be a wonderful thing.

[reply]
8/19/09

LolitaV

i think this is a great idea. unfortunately i don't know any blog like mine around here
but i'd love to see what NP and GC come up with.

[reply]
8/19/09

Maladjusted

Thanks crpitt, that's very kind of you. Frankly, I'm just happy that I didn't make your "blocklist". When you complained about wordiness I thought I was on the blackban for sure...:)

Lolita,

What about aspotofblog? I know you admire her blog, and she'd be good on yours.

Also: I did originally have a facetious idea to do my OMFG sex life, but I'm not sure it would work as the point of the idea was to be silly:

Thus:

Scene: Lol and D.'s kitchen.

[D. comes home in his Batman costume ready for a romp.]

D: "Lol, wehre are you!? I'm dressed as Batman."

[Mal is eating cereal]

Mal: [awkwardly,] "Er...hi."

D: "Who the hell are you? and how did you get here!?!"

Mal: "I'm Mal. I'm GUEST positng."

D: "You're WHAT?!?"

Mal: Guest posting. It means I'm taking over my "OMFG sex life" for the afternoon.

D: and that means...what exactly?

Mal: Well, less sex for one. And it means I'm going to have to change the name. I've decided to call it 'not that much sex going on here really", not if you think that sex requires at least 2 people..."

D: I can't believe this.

Mal: But I was thinking that I'd...I dunno...hang around, read some Hegel with you, eat some cereal.

D: Kinky. But I don't think so. In fact, I'm going out until Lol comes back. This whole thing is creepy.

Mal: Dear OMFG readers. Not much sex going on here at all, at the moment. D.'s left in something of a huff, and I'm, well, watching the news. It's not very sexy. What am I wearing? Er...flannel pajamas and a dressing gown. I also have a teddy bear. Maybe I can make myself a mug of horlicks. Ooh horlicks. So warm and calming in its effects. Reminds me of that time, I went to a nightclub, and then came home after 5 minutes because it was too noisy..."

Best,

-Mal.

[reply]
1. 8/19/09
  
  LolitaV
  
  LMFAO!!! I seriously have tears streaming down my face because i can picture this so clearly. I would like to invite you anytime you wish to write such things on my blog. and i do think ASB is a lady with balls so yeah. but you are my #1 pick.
8/19/09

crpitt

@mal I was just feeling testy that day, okay testier

You write in a digestible chunk size way and I feel mean for posting that thread.

Okay I only felt mean, if anyone was actually offended.

Unless it's someone on my blocklist, then I don't care.

Gosh you are a bloody infectious wordy bugger.

The OMFG guest post was hilarious, but unfortunately I hate Horlicks and that totally ruined the scene for me.

[reply]
8/19/09

aspotofblog

I will not have any of these bozos from BC desecrate my blog like that!

And yes, I'd love to write a sex post for you Lolita. What can you write about on mine?

[reply]
1. 8/19/09
  
  LolitaV
  
  does size matter?
  how to find out if a man has a big penis without fucking him first.
  anything your naughty heart desires.
8/19/09

aspotofblog

Yes, maybe something along those lines (how to find out if a man has a big penis; does size matter) or any other observations on penises. I suppose anything you can think of, as long as it's sex or man-related

[reply]
1. 8/19/09
  
  LolitaV
  
  i am all for sex, free sex, paid sex, as long as it's not taken by force (unless both parties agreed to this) then i am all for it.
8/19/09

crpitt

Watches as all the philosophical folk flee from the sex ridden thread.......

[reply]
1. 8/19/09
  
  LolitaV
  
  watches as all the philosophical folk pull down their pants and wonder what that thing 'tween their legs is for
8/19/09

Maladjusted

Lolita and a spotofblog: and so it begins! Eeeeeexcellent!

Crpitt: Don't mind your testiness at all.

To be perfectly honest, I'd admit to only having tasted Horlicks twice in my life. Once at age, I don't know -- maybe 7? -- and another time at around 10. Both occasions involved the suggestions of my Dad (who is English) and considerable horror (why the floating yellow chunks in my milk? do they not dissolve? What is this?!) Maybe I should have stuck to Milo, but I don't know whether that's called outside of Australia? Is there a name popular brand of hot chocolate powder in England that makes preposterous claims to being nutritious (like helping people oat...) and that are comfortable but in no way cool? Anyway, thansk to all of you from saving this suggestion from the thread graveyard.

Must go now. Day is getting away from me.

[reply]
8/19/09

aspotofblog

*Watches as this thread dies a sudden death*

[reply]
1. 11/04/09
  
  Hels
  
  it lives on... in a slightly used condition
  
  Livinginthepast was good enough to offer a guest spot to people writing about friendship, Australia, travel, teaching, education, being a student teacher, immigration etc. I wrote about a post about travel for her, and loved the opportunity to reach blogs that I would not usually be aware of.
8/19/09

Hels

I love the idea of working away from the centre of one discipline, out to the boundaries with other disciplines. After all, this is where all new learning is to be done. But the trouble with writing outside one's own comfort zone is that it is so damned risky.

What happens if I am a fine historian but a rank amateur in linguistics, music, theology, philosophy and economics? Will I fall over in front of smart people and show my petticoat and knickers, academically speaking?

Host bloggers would have to be very gentle with their guest writers.

[reply]
8/20/09

Maladjusted

aspotofblog:

You have an instinct for imminent thread death... I knew I shouldn't have kept bloody talking about bloody horlicks. Kiss of death.

Hels: You're right, it's scary. I mean I'm terrified about writing about the idea of writing about architecture. But I'll see you've sent me a message which I'm just about to read. I'll be in touch.

-Mal.

[reply]
8/31/09

voiceofbragg

comment removed by the community.

[reply]
9/23/09

Hels

Ok, it is done!!! YEAH!

The reciprocal-guest-posting process was time consuming, anxiety-raising and still a bit uncertain, but in the end I have to say blog-swapping might have a good future.

I can normally read a history or art history document in one sitting, and have a reasonable chance of remembering the key points clearly. With a document from outside my comfort zone, I had to read it once.... then reread it twice more. Even then I wasn't clear on every point.

What a mind-expanding project to go through And no drugs in sight

Anyone else up for it?

[reply]
9/23/09

Maladjusted

Would it be a little vulgar: a little football playerish for me, to run around with my T-shirt over my head pumping my fists in the air and exclaiming indecorously that Helen and I...both...rock.

Painful, taken way to long (all my fault, not Helen's) but it's done now! Hooray for us.

Please check out "Drowning in Vitriol" and "Art and Architecture, Mainly" to see the resutls.

Best to all,

Mal.

P.S.
This is only the beginning. Even I'm holding my breath for my forthcoming contribution to Lolita's blog: "in which D and Mal drink cocoa and read Hegel."

Mal

[reply]
9/23/09

geekchick

I will be delighted to accept guests posts on my blog, and to post on other people's blogs. My guest post policy is as follows:
1) Content must be safe for children.
2) Content must be in keeping with the general tone of the blog.
3) Author's name will link to their website or blog (their choice). Contributors with multiple posts will be offered an "about author" page on my site, unlimited by content within reason. Major contributors will be offered a blogroll listing.

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  Hels
  
  geekchick, I just saw another blog (Old Paint) put up a gorgeous painting about classical music called "Gustav Klimt, Music, 1895". Would you be interested in a guest post on classical music in art?
2. 9/23/09
  
  Stillthinking
  
  Hey Hels,
  
  I posted a long comment on your guest blog post. I really enjoyed it and visited Mal's post on your blog as well.
  
  I will be regular visitor to your blog from now on!
3. 9/24/09
  
  geekchick
  
  Dear Hels,
  
  I would love one or more guest posts on classical music in art. As a matter of fact, there's a whole field of study devoted to what we can glean from art on performance practice, notation styles, how instruments were held, played, constructed, what kinds of ensembles were used, anything. If you'd like to do a series, say, of analyses of different paintings I would be really open to that. Feel free to run the posts by me before publication for suggestions or additional information. I'm excited!
9/23/09

DailyBeerReview

I've got a fellow BCer doing a guest post on my blog soon.

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  cookingasshole
  
  that's me!
9/26/09

Hels

I was thinking about why blog swapping was a good idea. After all, there is a lot of work involved, a high risk of not living up to expectations and uncertainty about whether other bloggers out there would read guest-posts anyhow.

But stuff it all. After reading both Mal and geekchick's super guest posts, I realise the benefit is in the great learning that the _host_ does.

[reply]
1. 9/26/09
  
  geekchick
  
  I have to disagree--the real benefit is in writing for the other blog. I was lifted way out of my usual blogging style and it was an amazing treat! Thank you, Hels, for the fabulous opportunity to write for your blog! (Now I'm off to look at those pictures!)