Clearly, the lack of mainstream media (MSM) coverage of the Vancouver blogging scene is due to the fact that the vast majority of our local blogs are sadly, quite lame.
Of the three ‘top’ sites in Vancouver, only Beyond Robson is ready for prime time.
Reading Urban Vancouver, you get the sense that it’s written by nice, well-meaning little people, but let’s face it, they’re not that interesting (except for the old dude - sometimes).
As for The Vancouverite, when they’re not being lazy, posting way too many YouTube videos or local newspaper headlines, what little original content they do produce isn’t very funny.
Furthermore, what the hell kind of blog declares in a mission statement that its job is to provide “snarky news and opinion”. Isn’t that what bloggers are supposed to be doing anyway? And who the hell actually uses the word “snarky”, other than middle-aged suburbanites, like my mother?
As for this site - I’m sorry folks, but you fall into the same category as Urban Vancouver. Nice people, but you publish way too much useless information and silly little brain farts.
I don’t need to be told to bring an umbrella to work, when I can see for myself that it’s raining outside. I also don’t need your Canucks scores and commentary, when I can get that information in The Province.
The best blog writers in other cities don’t bore their readers with the trivial details of their own meaningless lives - they go out and dig up dirt on things that the MSM isn’t covering.
They tell you about interesting or obscure things that you haven’t heard about before, and they do it with sharp, clever writing. Go read some New York blogs, to see what I mean.
The only excuse that Vancouver has for its weak blog scene is the fact that most blogs are still less than two years old.
Thanks, I’m glad we had this little chat. It’s been a long time coming.
Submitted by Gary Condit
I’d love to see a blog that covers the great events and news that don’t make it to the mainstream media outlets and agree with you, Gary, there’s not too much out there. I suppose that might be a function of there not being too much motivation for someone to really dig into the underground scene…too bad.
PS Am also suitably embarassed for not only ~using~ the word snarky, but incorporating it into the title of my blog, thus forever associating myself with middle-aged suburbanites when I am, in fact, a twenty-something urbanite.
Sarah
February 9th, 2007
I’d put Metroblogging Vancouver http://vancouver.metblogs.com/ in the top three, and not Urban Vancouver (for which I’m a managing editor).
Richard
February 9th, 2007
“old dude” here - and that’s
‘Oldest Living Blogger’ to you,
Kiddies. And why are there only two replies above? Are we three the only readers on here? Is this why the content is so bland? Shame on us!
Maybe I should cut loose with
some of the caustic comment I
used to send to the Vancouver Sun’s editorial flunkies to keep them tuned up.
Ray
February 9th, 2007
Bring it on Ray!
Rant!Vancouver
February 9th, 2007
GC here. A couple of things to clarify, re: my rant.
First, this rant was originally written as a comment in response to a post on Metroblogging Vancouver.
Therefore, when I say ‘as for this site’, I’m referring to Metroblogging Vancouver, not Rant! Vancouver. (Which also sucks, though - it’s so bad, I don’t even read it.)
Second, I’m no troll. I’m just a reader of Vancouver websites who would like to see more interesting content published on my hometown blogs.
Third, my criticism that blogs are written by ‘nice’ people shouldn’t be overcompensated for by writers turning themselves into assholes.
I want you to be interesting, and funny, before being mean.
It’s a fine line to walk, but if you’re a writer worth your salt, then you can do it.
And finally, I also hate artsy writers who try to hard. No ‘whirling dervishes’ or excessive use of adjectives, thank you. Vancouver has enough of these hacks trying to write books, for God’s sake.
Keeping it real - Gary Condit
Gary Condit
February 13th, 2007
Well folks that going to change soon.I am in the process of building a new blog devoted to all things BC.
And also have a blog in the works with a fellow Vancouver blogger of some note.Which promises to be interesting..
dirk
February 17th, 2007
You forgot the hurting http://www.overheardinvancouver.ca/
SlaveToShopping
March 3rd, 2007
I hear you about a lack of interesting blogs, Gary.
I’ve created a blog about something I’m very passionate about - customer service experiences…from great to horrible…regardless of location or type of business.
I am a big believer in word-of-mouth advertising (positive or negative) and in Vancouver especially.
darren
September 5th, 2007
I think it is not really the quality of these blogs that matters. It is the fact that they EXIST. Blogging is not an ancient form of communication, it is still under development. So are all the Vancouver-related weblogs.
Vancouver real estate
October 17th, 2007
well done, bro
Lyndsayaq
March 21st, 2008