Power-Tripping Bloggers: What We Hope We Won't Become

Thursday, September 08, 2011 Stef dela Cruz 24 Comments

Blogs are a new medium of expression. Bloggers are reporters, writers, photographers, conceptualizers, and people working in public relations. But more and more bloggers have started cultivating an attitude betraying an acute awareness of the powers they hold. These are the power-tripping bloggers – are you one of them?

As I interacted with more bloggers, I started to realize that a lot of us have become rude. Maybe it’s because blogging has allowed us to speak our minds with our computers acting as our shields. Maybe we have realized that the word indeed is mightier than the sword. Admittedly, some of us will realize what we can do – and this can make us drunk with power.

blogger power trip

Are you a blogger? How many bloggers have you met who have a certain “attitude”? Do you often rant and feel that your opinion matters more than others’? While we blog, we sometimes forget that our opinions are not verified by the number of page visits we get, nor by our PageRank.

Unfortunately, we do not realize that our opinions are not verified by the number of page visits we get, nor by our PageRank.

In the end, what gives us credibility is not how popular, in-demand, or well-paid we are. What matters most is whether or not all the power has gotten to our heads.

I know that this blog post may bring a lot of outrage. I will not be surprised if I get a lot of violent reactions. But seriously, we are just people who like to blog. We shouldn’t act like we are VIPs, even if we are. Many other people are way more important than us, but they don’t act like they own the world. And if we are guilty of this crime, let this be our wake up call.

Stef dela CruzAbout the blogger
Stef dela Cruz is a doctor and writer. She received the 2013 Award for Health Media from the Department of Health. She maintains a health column in Health.Care Magazine and contributes to The Manila Bulletin. Add her to your circles.

24 comments:

  1. C5 @ Life Is A ChoiceSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    One thing I am reminded of: "Esteem others better than yourself." (Philippians 2:3)

    Have a pleasant blogging life. :)

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  2. Stef dela CruzSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    C5: Right. :) Bloggers need to reexamine their values and learn the value of humility. Happy blogging, too!

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  3. Pink MagaLineSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Nice post. Yeah, a reminder that applies to everyone! :D

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  4. Cielo of Brown PinaySeptember 7, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    I had been blogging since 2005 and luckily I was able to keep true friends that started from bloghopping....They are the low profile bloggers who blog because they love to write. But somehow they influence others not because of their clout but because of their content...

    I totally agree with you that nowadays there are many bloggers who are becoming rude, thus those new entrants bloggers who are also contemplating into exposing themselves into blog events loom away and just stay anonymous in the blogosphere.

    Each and everyone of us should practice humility...I am happy that I had found good company with my fellow Pinay Mommy Bloggers.

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  5. orangemagazine.phSeptember 8, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    i blog because i like to blog. and i don't see myself popular or influential. if my readers do not agree with my views, i respect that. and i wont force myself to others just to prove that i'm far better than them. but i will still say my piece because i want to share my point.

    i have flaws too and i'm not a perfect blogger. ganun lang yun.

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  6. crumpylicious blogSeptember 8, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    We're just new bloggers. We blog because we like to document our life lang. We haven't encountered pa naman a power trip blogger.

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  7. Dennison UySeptember 8, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    I have a different experience. A few bloggers were invited to an event where I ran one of the establishments there. It was a food event and the blogger(s) demanded for more than what we offered them. Imagine our surprise when they demanded for more, saying that they will not be able to taste the product. They have no idea who I am and my connection to the establishment. But as a fellow blogger this is below the belt and disgusting. To think that these are "small time" bloggers too (i.e. just starting out). Shame on you!

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  8. Stef dela CruzSeptember 8, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    OrangeMagazineTV: Yes, we can blog to share opinions. No harm in that. :)
    Crumpylicious: Then you're lucky! And I hope you get to meet good bloggers all the way. :)
    Dennison: Oh no, shame on them! Some bloggers are becoming so demanding. It's nice to be among really good bloggers whose feet are firmly planted on the ground.

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2011 at 1:40 AM

    yeah i totally agree with u! so far i have met some of them but i don't know if they knew or not really knew that what they are really doing is in "some ways" is a sort of power tripping as well!

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  10. RUBY CaberteSeptember 8, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    I love blogging because I like to blog. I missed how blogging was treated a few years ago. It was for fun, pleasure and making new friendships.

    Now, all I can see is... hahaha... basta my blogspot or own domain, bloggger na. After a few months post, feeling sikat na and when I read their blogs, most of them are about events. Wala na yung personal thoughts or sharing in which a blog was created to be - your personal space in the World Wide Web.

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  11. Stef dela CruzSeptember 8, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    Mommy Rubz: I also love blogging, but I think that cultivating a mentality that a person should only be labeled a "blogger" if they are veterans at blogging is too, um, snobbish. :) It's perfectly alright to be a newbie blogger, it's not a label that should ever be considered elite or exclusive.

    However, once labeled a blogger, one should be a responsible one. That's how I define the "good" bloggers - it's not only their content, but their attitude in blogging. So yes, I miss the "friendlier" times of blogging, just like you. :)

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  12. Richard MamuyacSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    swak 'to. can relate with your views but good thing I have met fellow bloggers who have been my friends even outside the blogging world :-)

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  13. Inspirations Just For YouSeptember 8, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Well said, my friend! well said! :)

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  14. Stef dela CruzSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Thanks, Eric. :) I just want peace for bloggerkind. Hehe. :)

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  15. allenSeptember 14, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    does that include "patay-gutom" bloggers too? hehe :) For me, blogging is a hobby because I wanted to practice my writing. The perks are all an added bonus so I wouldn't judge or say I'm above you just because I'm a blogger.

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  16. Jonha (@jonharules)September 14, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Hi Stef,

    I haven't been blog hopping for awhile and I'm glad you posted this on Pinoy Bloggers group. Simple and straightforward reminder, I like it. People who bash on smaller people are often the most insecure ones. While we are free to express our thoughts and opinions, we are not free from the consequences thereof. Good thoughts, thanks for writing this!

    xoxo
    Jonha

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  17. Stef dela CruzSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Jonha, glad you liked it. I do hope it serves as a reminder, for me and for everyone else. Bashing and bullying are never good, are they? :)

    Good day to all the bloggers!

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  18. The Average JaneSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I totally agree with you. Blogging should be a way to express yourself. Its shameful for people to think that just because a PR agency contacts them then they're famous or whatnot. I, personally, am quite humbled when people say they read my entries -- PR agencies or other fellow bloggers-- most especially when I was not expecting anyone to do so. Truly humbled.

    www.theaveragejane00900.blogspot.com

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  19. iaadamlimOctober 6, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I remember what I heard from Blogfest 2.0 about ensuring that our offline reputation being the same as our online reputation or vice versa. That's what I call integrity and transparency.

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  20. hitokirihoshiDecember 10, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    i agree with your point 101% sayang yung chance that a lot of people are reading your blog but you don't give them worthy info or stories.

    if we feel like journalists and news reporters because of our blog, we should also act like professional media practitioners. entertain, inform and persuade public opinion/ awareness.

    mabuhay and happy blogging!

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  21. Stef dela CruzDecember 11, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    That's right, Ia and Hitokirihoshi (whew, hirap i-type! hehe!). We shouldn't be compelled to call ourselves journalists just because we have blogs. It takes so much more than online influence to be called a journalist. :)

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  22. Kris EdisonDecember 11, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    Blogging should not be limited to expressing thoughts and ideas. It's like a tattoo of the bloggers.

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  23. Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.comDecember 11, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    It's too sad that I know some bloggers who are like this. Akala mo sinong nangunguha lang naman ng text at photo ng iba, blogger na tawag nya sa sarili nya. It's just so sad...and pathetic.

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  24. Stef dela CruzDecember 12, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Naku that's a different issue, Aleah, that's already plagiarism, don't you think? :) That's not just a power-tripping blogger! Hehe.

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