13 June 2008 Go Fuck Yourself
Firstly, my apologies. I didn’t mean for that to be such a provocative title but it got your attention, eh?
Where do you stand on swearing in blogs? I don’t mean any random swearing but when it is used to show passion or expression.
Does it further add to the fact I’m a Generation Y, 18 year old blogger?
Or does it steal credibility, portray me as unprofessional and ward off potential employers or more importantly readers?
Paul
Posted at June 14, 2008 12:23pm, 14 JuneSwearing is good because…
1. It makes a point
2. It shows you’re real
3. It’s something you can do because you are publishing in a non-traditional media space
So stop fucking pondering about it and get on with it you twat.
Stan Lee
Posted at June 15, 2008 2:31am, 15 JuneDid Oscar Wilde feel the need to swear in print?
No.
Do the worlds great newspapers (NY Times, The Guardian, The Age) ever resort to spicing up their well written pieces with a couple of carefully considered swear words?
No.
Do great bloggers like Seth Godin or Jaffe resort to the F bomb to attract a few more page views?
No.
For one so young you have developed a good tone of voice and authority on your blog Zac. Don’t go dumbing it down.
Zac Martin
Posted at June 15, 2008 10:27am, 15 June@ Stan
Do you think your first two points are relevant, given the fact they are through traditional media which plays by different rules? Perhaps some of the authors in The Age would swear if their editor allowed them?
But I do agree. Although I am sure I’ve heard Jaffe swear on occasion, it’s not something I plan to deliberately dp to gain attention.
Stan Lee
Posted at June 15, 2008 12:26pm, 15 JuneTraditional media!?
Oscar Wilde was so outside of the mainstream in his day he would have to be classed as one of the original punk rockers.
As for the NY Times and Guardian being traditional media, the Guardian was the first newspaper to embrace the web. The NYT online is a great example of how a modern media property operates.
Believe me, there’s no one fonder of a swearword than I am. Just ask any of the kids who took my classes at RMIT.
But once you start using them in print (and a blog is print, kinda) then you look a little dumber.
Why?
Because swearing in real life just happens. It’s spontaneous thought.
The written word, done well, also appears spontaneous, but is generally anything but.
Rick Clarke
Posted at June 15, 2008 5:31pm, 15 JuneThis reminds me of a conversation I had recently with the editor of Marketing Magazine where she was excitedly telling me how they published an article that started, “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck” – anything to grab peoples attention. 🙂
I think swearing on occasion can be effective and it’s not something to shy away from but shouldn’t be overused.
Josh Strawczynski
Posted at June 15, 2008 5:52pm, 15 JuneTasteful swearing can amplify your feeling on the matter, profuse profanity is just plain rude.
Paul
Posted at June 18, 2008 10:28pm, 18 JuneSorry, did I just die and wake up in Sunday School
Millions of people read blogs because they are not constrained by the laws, regulations and policies of traditional media. They are one person, giving their views, on their subject. If they need to swear to make their point, I want to hear it, I don’t want the censored version.
And anyway, swearing is funny and I like to laugh:
http://robcampbell.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/we-all-know-chocolate-can-be-naughty-but-this-is-ridiculous/