So, I think a lot of things are lame. People who make jokes like this are lame, twins who wear matching outfits are lame, but mostly, awards are lame. People should produce good work for the sake of good work and self-fulfillment. I guess I just really don’t like the artificial incentive and sense of self-importance created by awards. Self-fulfillment > Self-importance. The obvious exceptions to this are childhood spelling bee prodigies, A+ to you, now get a real hobby — and some friends.
This brings me to the blogger awards, a system of awards apparently catered towards people who have too much time on their hands. I’ve seen this going around WP, and unsurprisingly, I think it’s super lame. Like seriously, I am excited when someone reads my blog, why would I nominate myself for an award and then make my beloved readers sign up for an account on something just to inflate my own ego?
Though, if I was way less apathetic, I would entertain the idea of running for Worst Blog of All Time, especially since I am quite interested in being the polar opposite of the blog that is winning for Best Blog of All Time.
Basically, if you see this on someone’s blog, they are taking themselves way too seriously. Real talk.
Kram///
@AJ
i SO like this. continue AJ…
I’m SO glad! but srsly, thnx.
The awards have been puzzling me lately, from what I can gather its a form of chain letter as you nominate 15 others to receive it. Whether a family member dies if you don’t forward it I’m unsure. whilst I may ultimately be the cause of someone dying it won’t be because I didn’t join the blog awards bandwagon.
honestly, I think it’s just people wanting to feel important, which is super sad.
the chain blog nomination thing is a little creepy….is it “someone” trying to increase all traffic on WordPress press for some unknown purpose….or someone with not enough to do….someone who just likes to manipulate people for giggles?….it sort of reminds me of elm. school….
Speaking as a former Spelling Bee prodigy whose self-fulfillment needs are often put aside for self-gratification, I found your post to be very disheartening. I realize now that I shouldn’t have entered my blog into every single category that the bloggers choice awards offered(vote for me) and I especially shouldn’t have submitted ideas for new award categories,(Best Hair, Best use of the word “Twas”, Best in Show and Most Eco-Friendly).
You have made me see the err of my ways, though I was really looking forward to seeing Jack Black(I heard he was hosting this year)
Nice post.
success!
Yes, you are absolutely right! It’s not like a MacArthur Grant, or a Pandy Award, or anything. Be the Bear!
I would be very honored to get a pandy award, just FYI,
Aw, I like awards. It turns out my mom saved every single award I’d ever gotten and didn’t fully appreciate at the time of receipt. Every single certificate, ribbon, and medal since preschool. She gave them to me all at once a few months ago when she was cleaning out the garage. It was pretty great to go through them all. Nobody’s given me an award since high school and I didn’t really go on to do anything that great… but suddenly I had all this evidence in my very hands that other people recognized I was a “Good Sharer,” that I often “Exceeded Expectations” and the principle really cared that I had perfect attendance. It kind of felt great.
I am, admittedly, incredibly lame, though.
Princi-pal! Dammit. I was never a great speller.
me neither!
Good one, AJ! With one exception: My blog was named the “World’s Sexiests BLog of 2011.” Can’t remember who gave me the award – maybe it was me. THht award is at least as good as being the worst. . .but I would take tnat one too.
wait, how can a blog be sexy?
Well these wouldn’t be so bad if they were awards for something that really meant something. Here’s a few Blog Awards I’d like to see:
Best Creative Punctuation Blog
Best Typed With One Finger Blog
Best Written While Drunk Blog
Best Reanimated Dead Body Blog
Best Stolen Material Blog
Best Siamese Twin Blog (sometimes same winner as Best Typed with One Finger Blog)
Best Dictated by Brain in Jar Blog
Best Humorous Blog Untilizing Wackadoodle in Every Sentence Blog. (I might possibly be a contender on this one, with a little work, of course.)
I would especially be interested in “Best Written While Drunk.” I think you should do it.
Couldn’t agree more that good work should be done for the sake of good work. I’ve never heard of the blogger awards before, but I don’t imagine that I’ll be casting a vote any time soon.
consider yourself lucky that you haven’t heard of it!
speaking as a twin, i can’t help it if my dweeb brother wears the same thing I do. If you see us dressed the same, please note that “I’m with Lame.”
I am sorry for your loss. I feel like it’s OK for twins to dress the same until 2nd grade.
Interesting take on awards, Ashley. I love how you speak your mind. I guess I’ve always felt that these awards were a way of exposing blogs you like and not really about self-importance as such. Well, who knows? Everyone has different motives. Thought provoking post- great! K
Ask-leigh:
I am naive. What the hell are blogger awards?
oh yeah, these folks are so lame that they can’t take a hike. for all i care…
Once again, AJ pulls out her x-ray specs and reveals that the emperor has no clothes. For all the people that have been involved in the “Best Blog” hype, don’t feel bad. I actually bought mags from Publisher’s Clearing House one year.
Brats Rule!
Les
Like your gumption!
First time stumbling upon your blog, but I love it! I didn’t even know there were blogger awards, how strange.
– LisaaLinh @ BitchinRants.com
You’ll probably think this is lame. You’ll get over it.
http://myforcedsmile.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/the-versatile-blogger/