On All This Internet Advice (and New Years Reflection)

I normally don't do it: provide analysis on armies or units, I mean.

It's not that I can't, it's that I'm not really suited for it.  You see, I have an almost religious belief that's it's a huge, colossal waste of time.

(A quick note: I started this article intending it for Bell of Lost Souls, but pretty quickly decided it wouldn't work.  Those things which made it interesting weren't appropriate for the main page, like the sidebar rants and personal reflections... not to mention the YTTH links and the Not Brent rant!  The readers here might be interested, but I can't pretend the Blogosphere at large would.)

Brent's We Need a List, List: May I Waste Your Time Too?

*...and key music*

• Others already do it (better).
• The Blogosphere only pretends to embrace opinion.
• Who reads between the lines?
• What works for one...
• It's best to come by knowledge through hard work.

Let's break it down!

Others already do it (better).

Writing game theory is easy... writing game theory worth reading is hard.  I can't sneeze through the nostrils of my Empty Blue Digital Headache without showering snot on a blog giving advice on How To Build a Better Listtm - from God's lips to your ears, right?

/sigh Lord, but it can make a (men) tired!

Stelek and Yes the Truth Hurts garners a crap-ton of flack... and with good reason, methinks... but it's hard to deny the impact the blog has.  I'm of the opinion Stelek didn't just catch wave of the Competitive Tournamenttm but was out there actively blowing on the water.  Maybe it all started in forums but it got legs in blogs.

Thing is, if you'll look around with a discerning eye, much of the 'advice' the small blogs dish is retread-YTTH; some ZombYs can't wait, but rush out there and cut'n'paste the blue background right out of their latest article!  I much prefer dudes like GMort and Messanger of Death, who credit YTTH but add their own thoughts or twists: that's proper scholarship!

A Not Brent Mini-Rant (Sidebar 1)

Stelek is only one dude, and while he's never been unwilling to share the stage with others that's always had mixed results.  Lately Purgatus has stepped up to try and help, and he's certainly the best in a long line of disappointments.

This isn't really topical but I've long watched the Co-Author drama on YTTH with a bit of wonder and disappointment.  Where are all these dudes who 'founded' the site with Stelek... and why didn't they put forth a better effort?  St. John flutters in from time to time and Stelek seems perfectly content to embrace his authority - why?  Here's a dude who started his own blog rather than post on the runaway success this is Yes the Truth Hurts...  Seriously, what the hell?  Then comes the 2nd string of 2nd stringers, most of whom can't be bothered to post more than their intro before disappearing whilst others use their status as writers in the Big Blue Shark Tank to push their weight around Vassal.

It makes no sense... which means there is more to the story.  Is Stelek one of those dudes destined to be let down by those he embraces in friendship?  Or (and I find this likely) does the lack of accountability in blogging lead to lazy writers?

I'd love to know more but it doesn't seem likely.  Stelek won't dish; he remains loyal, even when those to whom he gives loyalty prove feckless.

(I lost some time there: moving on.)

A more recent example of a tactics and strategy site worth reading is 3++ is the New Black.  I've long supported the Pink I have!  Kirby actively recruited worthy writers... and just as importantly has them writing!  AbusePuppy, GWvsJohn, BroLo - these dudes and more help contribute to what I consider the best pure gaming advice blog on the 'Net.  What I find interesting is how it's all more than the sum of its parts.

Most of the dudes I've just named could (and in some cases, do) write blogs of their own, but they wouldn't come close to reaching the audience 3++ does... nor would Kirby, without them.  It's by far the best example of a Collaborative Compendium Blog I know.

I shouldn't need to say this, but I will - just so there is no misunderstanding: there are plenty of good blogs offering sound advice.  I just believe they are the minority.  Usually these blogs will stick to one or two armies or topics; specialist blogs, as it were.

A Brief Regarding My Formula (Sidebar 2)

As an aside, Kirby has repeatedly tried to recruit me to write for 3++ over the last year, a compliment I genuinely appreciate and continue to turn down.  Frankly, I think I would disappoint him - and the reasons are all wrapped up in this article but boil down to this:  I'm not normally inspired to right the type of articles that make 3++ great.

You have to do what you enjoy.  Over the last two years I've stuck to my guns, writing the type of articles I'm known for, and achieved some modest success.  In the early days I tried to add contributors to Strictly Average, but it just didn't work out.  I decided then to keep this site as my private playground of the mind while trying to expand my influence as a freelance, Gonzo Journalist in the Blogosphere at large.  I've been privileged to contribute to Bell of Lost Souls, House of Paincakes, Blood of Kittens - and even an item or two for Yes the Truth Hurts!

Not that I intend to stop there... Jawaballs, whom I've been Stalking Since 2009, added me as a contributor to his site a few months back, and while I didn't have the time I couldn't resist agreeing - I mean, Jawaballs baby!  How could I refuse?  I'm working up a series appropriate to his blog now.

And I've even got an article Kirby may be interested in - just as a guest post!

2011 promises to be a good year. :)

So while the first half of this article was more Sidebar than article, it remains to be said regardless:


To Be Continued!