How Do Blogs Stay Relevant?

         Do you know what 80% of the top 10 blogs have in common? Drama! Drama can be found in almost every blog on the top 50 blogs, and it makes sense. There is nothing more eye grabbing then seeing what our role models were caught doing or what controversy they are currently involved in. Us humans are very judgmental creatures and when we see others doing idiotic and ignorant things it makes us feel better about our own short comings. We have evolved to love drama. When we see drama we feel our input is needed so we have an effect on the world around us. It is our way of slightly shaping the world the way we would like. So where should we draw the line on what drama is too invasive and what drama is not? It is not an easy question, but I will give you my input as you form your own.

   TMZ for an example, is my idea of an organization going too far with drama. They posted about an actor who was on "Hannah Montana" and was caught in public intoxicated. This is the title and picture they used to hook readers into their article.

Credit: TMZ

   

This will definitely put this obviously struggling man through even more pain and suffering and he will now find it forever more difficult to get his life on track with this forever being linked to his name. While this is undoubtedly irresponsible of this man, I don't think shaming him for clicks is anymore responsible. We must strive to be better. On the other hand though, I think drama can be used as a tool for grabbing readers attention without ruining or defaming anyone. Although it is a difficult line to draw, I think Loudwire balances on this line quite well. They tend to ask rock/metal artist more controversial questions and compare their answers rather than trying to use any of their downfalls as "clickbait". For an example look at this article. They definitely use drama as a tool as they are comparing stadium records, but at no moment do they defame Taylor Swift. They do not even use an unflattering picture of her in the thumbnail unlike TMZ.

 Credit: Loudwire

I think this is the correct way to use drama to your own personal benefit, no one is defamed and no lives are potentially ruined. Loudwire saw this as more of an accomplishment for Metallica rather than a downfall on Taylor Swift's side.

     Drama is an inevitable evil in any of the top media in the world. These two examples show that there are definitely multiple ways of using drama as a tool for grabbing a readers attention. We could either destroy lives by defaming and judging people like TMZ, or we could use Loudwire's approach and use slight controversies to gain publicity without negatively effecting anyones lives. I think blogs have the potential to be great ways of entertaining and informing each other as long as we can find an effective middle ground.

   

        -Until the end, Chris