the death of the listicle from the inside out

Writing mini diary entries for the movies I watch each week seemed like a great idea. "Movie Reviewer" is a career path that I'll probably have to consider at some point, and I watch a lot of fucking movies, so shouldn't I get the practice in? I certainly have more to say than these official publication hacks who write a three sentence blurb and call it a day. Well, that's what I thought until the effort I would have to put in began to look endless.

It's no secret that the big-name websites write for money. Not the blogs, where one person pours their blood, sweat, and tears into making sure each margin is perfectly spaced, but the conglomerates with dozens if not hundreds of employees jonesing for their next paycheck. The faster articles are released, the more people visit the site, and the faster money comes in. Listicles offer endless opportunities in a small package. The authors don't have to spend time developing ideas, instead writing the first thing that pops into their heads and moving onto the next item. It's the perfect solution for everyone looking to make, or read, something quick and clinical. Nobody notices how they become hollow and rotten as time goes on, collapsing under the weight of the new posts being churned out too fast to keep track of, or if they do, they keep their mouth shut and buy the hot new Instagram-touted ergonomic desk chair.

I sound like I've climbed onto my soapbox. This blog already has three "Week of Movies" in the sporadic two months I've been committed to posting, six "Referencedale in Review"s, and two drafts titled "Movie of the Year: 1930s" and "Jackass* Ranked by How Badly Bam Needs to Be Put Down Like an Old Dog". I'm not a saint! Often times, I get hit with the urge to write in one sitting, and that's not conducive to anything high quality or well thought out. It's counterintuitive because I don't feel fulfilled afterward, making me want to write another listicle (and another, and another) until I get it right. Listicles can be compelling if the author puts in the effort. I'm partial to this beauty, but they are there if you know where to look.

A big part of the problem is not having blogging role models. The internet has been taken over by a handful of publications, and it can seem impossible to find independent Blogspots or Neocities that are a) still active and b) the content you're looking for. I guess this is all just to say I need blog recommendations, or better yet, you should make a blog and send it to me at urdeadbestfriend78@gmail.com. In the mean time, I won't stop posting my stupid unfulfilling listicles, but maybe I'll start posting other shit too. I have to stop feeling weird about posting personal stories--this is literally my blog. This is the place for it. Album reviews also sound fun, but it's a thin line between thorough and writing two sentences on each track and oh god we have the same problem again. There has to be a focus on the larger picture and the impact things have on me. God I hate talking about me.

If nothing else, I want you to take away that we all need to be sincere, hardworking, and creative. And try not to sound like a motivational speaker, but that might be a lost cause. Find stuff you like, and if you can't, make it. Someone has to appreciate it.

 

Listen along: Another Midnight by The Tragically Hip