Rants: Informative or Unhinged?
September 15, 2009 by Deb
Filed under Thoughts and Stuff
I’ve been reading a lot of rants lately. Most have to do with the state of freelance writing and, frankly, I’m starting to get a headache. I’ve been known to throw out a rate-driven rant every now and again, but reading so many in the course of the week made me feel as if I (as the reader, not as a subject) am being yelled at. It gave me something to think about.
Do rants teach?
Do we learn anything from rants, or do they only serve to amuse us? Do they make us stop and reflect or are they more something for us to pump our fists at, give a big “woo hoo”, send out on Twitter and then move on with nary a glance back?
I’d love to know your thoughts. Do you learn from rants, or are do they serve more to entertain then enlighten?
Discuss…
I like a rant that allows the person to express their anger, but also gives solid advice on alternative ways people can do things.
I see many rants that are unprofessional – especially when talking about another person in the blogosphere. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I avoid that person because I’m afraid they may do something to me.
However, I do admire those who have the guts to say something that they know may alienate a lot of people.
Agreed, Jade. I don’t care for rants that attack. I prefer rants that make me laugh, but don’t enjoy rants that tend to ramble without leaving behind a good message.
There’s no fate worse than fuzzy animal pictures, Jenn.
Of course we can take it elsewhere. The point of this isn’t to say whether rants right or wrong/good or bad- and it’s really not my place to say so. I’m wondering (as someone who is prone to ranting every now and again) if people actually learn when we do this, or if they read or rants for the entertainment value only.
I also wonder sometimes if the rant is more about link and comment baiting than blowing off steam. I had a conversation with another freelance writing blogger once who said something to the effect of “traffic is down and no one’s commenting, guess it’s time to post a rant.”
I’ve read some rant posts that left me wondering about the point. When that happens I assume the writer needed to blow off some steam. I have to agree with Jade – if the rant accompanies solid advice it’s really helpful and I do learn. I take what I need from the message. I approach many blogs of the blogs I read daily (like this one) with learning as my main objective anyway.
That’s good to know, Kimberly. I hope you do walk away from FWJ (and your other favorite blogs) with something useful. What’s the point in ranting if no one gets your point?
It’s good practice for writing “snarky” blog posts — highly in demand, these days, from those “content sites” we’ve been hearing so much about lol
Lisa
I think there’s a difference between snark and a rant. Done well, snark can be funny. There’s not a lot of good snark online these days, mostly just mean-spiritedness. Most rants aren’t mean spirited as much as they’re angry.
Rants are useful to gain attention, but used too frequently they just make the writer look like a blow hard. I’ve ranted a bit on my marketing blog, Acorns, on my website. Mostly it’s when something 1) seriously bothers me and 2) I think my potential clients will get ripped off. I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs avoid so-called ‘gurus’ who take their money and give them nothing practical or useful in return. I just get too many of the victims at my door step needing help with their marketing but a lot poorer thanks to the “gurus” who take their money, give bad advice, etc. Oh dear.I think I’m ranting here. The point is: a rant now and then is okay. Too much rants, or unfocused rants, and you end up just sounding like an angry person.
I so agree, Jeanne. I don’t like reading bloggers who are always complaining or yelling. Balance is the key.