Why I try to avoid reading them and why bloggers should think before writing them
The paradox here, is that in essence this very post is a rant about blog rants, yes, I’m aware of that.
Yes, most of them are often funny and entertaining.
I’ve read some that have actually forced a belly laugh especially those from blogger comedian Jordan Cooper.
I’m sure that’s why many readers probably enjoy them, but what many people rarely think about is the influence and the impact these rants have on people’s daily lives.
There are valid reasons why I try to avoid these types of posts.
Here’s why:
On the flip side of laughter, some rants inspire anger, frustration and down right discouragement.
I have an issue with this because for the most part, I’m an optimistic person. I look for the good in all things. I like to keep my mood upbeat and pleasant. That’s my ideal. However, I’m not a morning person, which is unfortunate, because it presents an immediate challenge to me the moment I wake up.
I’m immediately thrown into a grumpy mode as I grumble and slowly (very slowly) roll out of bed. So my very first actions of the day are to counteract that as quickly as possible…that means coffee (and prayer)…very strong coffee (and a lot of it).
Usually, after about an hour, I’ve finally leveled out, gathered at least a few of my marbles so that I’m able to start my day. I turn on the computer and begin sifting through my emails and subscriptions and the very first thing I read is a very angry rant that I didn’t realize was a rant until about the third paragraph into the post when suddenly my vision was invaded with profanity and horrible insults!
Of course I clicked away, but by then I was already incensed. I turned my attention to other things and tried to focus on another project at hand, but my mood had plummeted and I began to feel that tired, I-just-want-to-go-back-to-bed, irritated feeling.
Why? Because angry, negative reading leads to a transfer of angry, negative emotions. I’d fallen victim to ARTS, Angry Rant Transfer Syndrome and I was in serious need of a redirect. (Hence this post…)
Of course I’m not simple enough to say that all rants are angry and negative, but many of them are. There is power in writing – and this next part is nothing new:
with great power comes great responsibility.
Writing has the power to influence people -
what you write has the potential to stick with people far longer than the few minutes it took to read your post.
If you are going to write a rant blog post, you should be aware of the potentially negative effects and consequences that you could inadvertently transfer to readers who end up carrying that negativity with them all day while unintentionally passing it on to unsuspecting others.
If you must write a rant blog post try to avoid the following:
Profanity, obsenities,insults and hate language – Maybe I’m just too “Old Skool,” but attacking others really isn’t constructive and it’s unintelligent. People have differences and those differences can’t always be understood, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable – and it certainly doesn’t make them all “morons”.
If you’re going rant, it should at least be done with tact – avoid profanity, use your critical thinking skills to produce some actual words that go beyond just calling someone or something “stupid.” Challenge yourself to dig deeper than that. Just because someone makes you mad doesn’t justify spreading negativity.
Whining – Just stop it, you can do that alone, there’s no need to invite the world to witness your online temper tantrum.
Gossip – I know the celebrity blogs are going to continue with this one, but for those of us who care about the people in the world, let’s try to can this one and any other language that could potentially hurt people or leave them feeling hopeless, discouraged and uninspired. This drains people, and in turn causes them to drain others, even if, they don’t realize it.
That’s how I felt after reading that blog rant. I need my positive mood to keep me working towards my goals, I don’t need to read something that’s going to make me want to quit (or haul off and slap someone).
As I read the post, my intellect was not challenged, no solutions where offered, and it left me wanting to join that author in his use of negative language – but since I know better, instead of giving in to the temptation to spread anger and negativity, I’d rather use whatever influence I may have to inspire others to do something different.
Use the power of writing to spark a positive change in the world, don’t add to the destruction- that arena is crowded enough.
Although, to wrap this up, in being honest with myself and as my optimism returns, I do come to realize that maybe something good did come out of reading that angry rant: this post. (Ah, the complexities of being human…)
Hopefully, as a result, it will cause you and other bloggers to think a little more critically before hitting the “publish” button on yet another unnecessary and unhelpful, negative blog rant.
So what are your opinions on this? Are you a frequent angry ranter?
About Kiesha Easley
To be honest, I’m not the most optimistic person in the world. I’m also not a morning person, but I’m trying to change both of these characteristics about myself.
I don’t mind rants, and sometimes, I find them useful. As long as they are in form of constructive criticism. If you are about to whine and rant about something – offer a solution or alternative. Otherwise, you’re wasting my time to be pessimistic about something else :)
I generally don’t like rant posts either. The majority of blogs that I read are so-called “Mommy blogs”, and I’m afraid that if the post is a rant on one of those, 9 times out of 10 it’s actually a judgment on someone else’s parenting approach. And that just turns me right off.
I have no problem with someone ranting or letting off steam about something difficult that’s happening in their own life, but I hate when I come across a rant that is clearly designed to be controversial – usually in a none-too-subtle effort to increase traffic. If a blog I follow posts a few too many of these types of rants, that’s generally a sign that it’s time for me to unfollow them, because that’s not the type of thing I like to spend my time reading.
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says:
Hi Lisa,
Yes, it’s definitely a big turn off, especially when it’s obvious they are just trying to spark a controversial debate.
I just have too little patience for angry complaints and personal attacks. I’m glad to know that I’m in good company.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I feel your pain Kiesha!
I generally don’t like rants myself and I believe if you must rant about something you should consider ranting about the solution as well, or else just plan shut it since you can’t bring anything constructive to the table.
I try to avoid rants myself and I always give my posts a few hours/days to chill just in case I write them in annoyance. That way I end up reading them in a new light and sometimes I actually end up not posting them at all!
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I have actually read many personal blogs that cascade from one rant to the other, filled with harsh criticism, and seem to do quite well with a large audience.
But, I wouldn’t recommend it in our niche.
Within the last month or so, I was witness to to a pretty harsh online exchange… which led me to write: “Do You Consider Your Fellow Blogger To Be Friend Or Foe?” http://sourceblogger.com/do-you-consider-your-fellow-blogger-to-be-friend-or-foe/
For those of you who have to vent, find someone who charges on an hourly basis. LOL
Source Blogger
“Determined to make you a better blogger!”
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I have had to resist the urge to use my site as a soapbox. When the urge creeps up, I remind myself that it is really a form of laziness. A negative rant is a very easy thing to do (in life, negativity is usually easier than positivity). By giving in to the urge, I would simply be taking the easy way out rather than creating some real valuable content.
Although I feel like a rant could be funny, and even slightly useful, largely, I just try to remind myself that I am better than that, as we all are.
Hey Kiesha,
I have to agree with this! I don’t like blogs where people are ranting about stuff in life. I work hard to remove myself from negative environments. I’m just like you that I enjoy spreading hope and victories into people’s life.
Chat with you later…
Josh
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Hi Josh,
You definitely get it – how can we inspire people if we are only whining, complaining and being negative. We’ll give them the feeling that the impossible can’t be done – when in fact, it can! :)
Kiesha, we all have our negative times. I try to shift my focus away to something positive, usually with good success (but not always).
Sometimes it’s hard. One of my niches is selling on the web, and there are a lot of crooks out there. I’m tempted sometimes to write about them and their shady techniques. but I don’t.
I’ve decided to focus on what’s good and ethical and to just ignore as best as I can all those others.
John Soares recently posted..4 Reasons Why You Should Write the Sales Page First
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says:
Hi John,
None of us can be positive all the time, but that’s still no excuse for spreading negative energy. There are many times when I just want to post a complaint about something and rant about how idiotic some people can be, but unless I can do it constructively without being abusive, it’s best that I refrain from publishing things like that.
I agree completely.
Some people recommend that if you are consumed with a negative thought stream, that you should write it out and purge it from your system. Just don’t post it online.
John Soares recently posted..4 Reasons Why You Should Write the Sales Page First
Hey Kiesha,
interesting stuff. I want to stand for something positive, and influence/inspire people. That’s why most of my language is pure fire, in a good way.
However, there’s light and darkness, and having a bit of darkness in your writing makes the light much sweater.
If everything is just fluffy, it loses it’s tension, and humans are based on tension and conflict.
From science point of view, you have to have opposing forces, otherwise the universe collapses.
The good guys never win, and the bad guys never lose ;)
Mars Dorian recently posted..How to Massively Spread Your Online Influence – The Superfast Way
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Hi Mars,
I agree, you do need a certain level of tension and that can be conveyed by writing about your experiences with failure and other issues in a way that is honest, but solution-oriented. And it’s always a good idea to at least acknowledge opposing views and the complexity of things instead of just pretending like I’ve got all the answers.
We’ll be far more credible that way.
I’m not a ranter by nature, so I haven’t engaged it on my blog either. If something happens to really tick me off, I’m sure it will show up but I would hope I’d have the good sense to write about it in a way that would explain the situation, offer a possible solution, and not be disrespectful to my readers. I’d definitely let it sit awhile before hitting publish!
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Hi Jean,
That’s a great mindset to have. And waiting to hit the publish button – is golden! If only everyone followed those principles :)
I dislike negativity too. Write something positive.