"Semi permanent" Julian Cole's blog is about to turn three. And to celebrate, he's just posted about how his blog has changed over time to become more relevant to real world. Unfortunately, not all of us have real world experience. In fact, this blog is based entirely off my own observations and insights. And with my own blog about to turn two on Saturday, I've been thinking a bit about my approach to blogging; that is to start fires and play the joker. I came to a conclusion that is perhaps better explained with a diagram...

The editorial team here at Pigs Don't Fly have been having some serious discussions of late. So serious in fact, one member stated they "could no longer work in such an environment" and as such resigned from the writing team. Another is currently sitting in an emergency ward after one conversation turned physical.I've been thinking a lot about this blog lately, especially regarding the topic of content, being a joker, sensationalism and starting fires. So I'm sorry peeps if I've been blogging about blogging on this blog a lot lately, but unfortunately there's still a few posts left to write.I haven't written about my blogging hero in a while, Seth Godin. But in one of his latest posts he suggests doing what you want and what you're passionate about, even if it's at the cost of your audience. I love this concept of "Who?", not "How many?". With that said, I realise some of this controversy does brings in big numbers, but I also realise I'm losing some in the process. So based on that, let's get something clear; this is my blog. Therefore it goes by my rules. If I want to rant, write a disgustingly rude letter to your brand, be an asshole to you or drop the f bomb; I can. This is my wonderland to express my opinion, and if you don't like it then too bad. This is the internet, I'm sure there's something out there for you to read. Although I must admit I do secretly love when people abusively comment at me. A post on this topic coming soon.Sometimes I honestly don't want to add value to a conversation. Why can't I just write something for the sake of it? I think I've slowly realised that as I get more passionate about my writing, one of the things I want readers of this blog to get out of it is entertainment. Yes, I would love to be pumping out thought provoking content all the time, but I can't consistently do that. I want my readers to love reading this blog and sometimes that means having fun with what I write and how I write it.Don't get me wrong, which I know most of you will. I still want credibility and I still want to start conversations and participate in them. But I think sometimes people need to realise there's entertainment behind this content as well which isn't always conversation starting, but fire starting....

For those of you who have been following this blog for a couple of months or longer would know I'm a Joker who likes starting fires. Which is the approach I took in a recent posting in an open letter to the editor of B&T Magazine. Many of your criticised said approach and I think the comments that resulted are probably more interesting than the post itself. But let's take a look at the outcome...

A few months back I drove home to see thick black smoke billowing out of my neighbour's car parked on the street. I quickly jumped out of my car to investigate the burning vehicle. By this stage a small crowd had appeared that was slowly creeping forward to get a better look. After a minute the car actually exploded. No one was hurt but what interested me was the curiosity of the viewers, myself included. Instead of running away from the fire, people were running towards it. And thus is the nature of audiences. In a recent conversation between myself and Oscar Nicholson, I realised this is the nature of how I blog. I cause controversy. I write about not only provocative issues but in a provocative manner too. I stir the pot and I start fires. But I do this to start conversations. Unfortunately people aren't attracted to a car that isn't on fire. A blog post that isn't controversial gets less readers and far less comments. People rarely comment on something if they simply agree. I do realise the shortfall of this; that once the fire's out, the people leave. I suppose I hope I've got enough good content to keep them around after everything's been extinguished. But I'm not going to kid myself, I can't consistently and regularly produce good, thought provoking content. So from time to time I'll start a fire. I make no apologies for the burns or damage caused. This is the nature of a Joker....