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Singaporean Blogsphere has hope
On today’s Tiny Tidbit (small talk) column I’m going to talk about what’s happening in the local blogsphere. Recently, I read two interesting articles complain about the decline of blogging quality in Singaporean blogsphere.
One of the culprits being blamed for this problem is ping.sg, a popular blog aggregator that features hundreds of blog posts per day. Due to the flaw in its mechanism, it’s encouraging bloggers to churn out sexual and controversial posts in exchange for one day fame. This effectively tarnishes the reputation of the whole local blogsphere.
They also point finger at the commercialization of blogging, where bloggers blog for the sake of financial gain. It seems the mysterious cult-like group called Social Media Breakfast has the agenda of milking ca$h from companies. I try to read about SMB on its website but not much info is provided. Anyone knows what is SMB up to? Anyways, monetary incentive somehow distorted the blogging quality, period.
The readers are being blamed for having interest in sexual junks and avoiding good quality blogs.
*shrug* everyone has his own taste so I’m not going to comment about it.
You can read more here and here.
I thank tpjcian magazine for naming The Wise Curve as the role model of local blogsphere (although these guys mistaken me as a Singaporean). I’m grateful and feel like I have some responsibility to be a good example so that more people are inspired to write good quality blogs instead of doing a Kennysai. (alright, self praising FAIL).
Actually, there are some very good quality blogs in Singaporean blogsphere, just that they don’t have much exposure and you won’t see them on ping.sg or any youth magazine.
Take a look at EmbraceLiving.net for example. It provides high quality articles with beautiful layout, like an online Zen garden. The blogger behind this wonderful blog is Celes, a young Singaporean girl helping people to grow and achieve their highest potential.
Another great blog is Hit Your Goals by Vincent the personal development blogger. It covers a variety of topics including self improvement, personal finance, and health. You can see his blog is very pro- looking.
If you look around carefully, you will find hidden gems. I hope local readers will find these blogs and follow them closely. It’s good for everyone.
Joss Stick is a sleek looking popular blog by Miss Loi. It’s a superb blog and deserves awards and media attention. It seems like there’s similarity in our blogs. Hers is helping students to cope with O-Level Maths while mine is providing study tips. One thing not many people know is that Miss Loi and I are from the same home town in Malaysia. Read her blog and I hope you will learn more about quality blogging from her.
I don’t think Singaporean blogsphere is in a hopeless state. There’s still a lot of potential in it. No matter what happens, we always have Sheylara the gamer girl to rock our beloved blogsphere and keep us entertained.
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Spore blogs is that bad meh?
I don’t know, i find them entertaining. I am not bothered if its of low quality as long as its entertaining. I mean, look at simpson, family guy and futurame. Quality is no where near Wall-E and ToyStory, but they sure are entertaining.
XD
@3point8
hey, welcome to my blog
Bad or good is subjective but there’s a visible sign of decline in blogging quality due to some factors.
Sheylara is entertaining
Hi Relax,
Just a clarification, Social Media Breakfast | Singapore has no intention of milking cash from anyone, be it companies or individuals. None of us on the team has received any money from anyone for holding the events. Even though we have had contributions from individuals and organisations in terms of food and venue sponsorship and partnership, every single cent is channeled back into organising future events, and not into our pocket.
You can see our full ledger at: http://socialmediabreakfast.sg/ledger/ which is a clear and transparent record of any money coming in or out from Social Media Breakfast | Singapore, as well as our usage of it.
Also, as Social Media Breakfast | Singapore is not really a “blog” but more of a news channel, I was wondering how arrived at the conclusion that the non-existent “monetary incentive” affects any “blogging quality”?
Best,
Daryl Tay
Social Media Breakfast | Singapore
Dear Daryl Tay,
Thank you for commenting on my blog personally and clear things up.
Before writing this post, I have done my homework by reading SMB website. Unfortunately, the information provided on SMB agenda is insufficient and unclear. Due to the frequent discussion on company-blogger relationship, it aroused my suspicion on SMB’s core function.
Please don’t see this as a hate post or accusation. I’m just asking for more information, which you have clarified personally.
thanks a lot
Hi Relax,
From our “About” page:
“Social Media Breakfast (Singapore) co-founded by Derrick Kwa and Daryl Tay with the aim to build up the social media community in Singapore, regardless of individual usages, be it personal, work, school or play.
We are a not-for-profit team and the team is made up of students, thought leaders and social media junkies.”
It clearly states that a) our core goal is to build up the social media community and b) that we are not-for-profit. I feel both of these pieces of information are suitably clear.
Bringing the point back home about the blogosphere having hope, I can’t help but feel that properly researched blog posts that accurately represent the situation will help bring some credibility instead of speculative posts that draw on inferences that don’t exist?
I disagree with your judgement that my post is speculative in nature and lack credibility. I’m active on Singaporean blogsphere and follow its progress.
Can you suggest how a properly researched post should be? SMB about page does not convince me that SMB is what it claims to be.
I’m dissapointed that you choose to bring this issue towards negativity instead of agree to disagree with people’s point of view. I would suggest that you adopt a win-win mentality in solving misunderstanding, rather than brushing off people’s blog post.
You are just a human being like me and others. Don’t place yourself too high.
Come to think of it, I should accuse SMB for being an elitist group
muahahaha….
Maybe you never get criticism in your life before?
Dear Relax,
I am sorry that our explicit “not for profit” phrasing was unclear and misled you to think we have other intentions of milking cash for companies. Of course you are free to have your suspicions aroused if you wish.
Finally, I don’t choose to deal with this with negativity. I am just highlighting that your blog post was misrepresentative, and by no means am I brushing it off.
Hey listen friend,
I try to make peace here OK. If you think I write something inaccurate or misleading, fine. You can clarify it here and I’m very happy and even willing to make correcction if I agree with you. We smoke peace pipe, shake hands, make friends and go on with our lives. Everyone is happy.
But the way you react is like charging at me with a war hammer as if I’m an evil site owner. Seriously, I don’t like this sort of holier than you attitude and don’t think you deserve the diplomacy. It’s disappointing that your comment in strengtening Singaporean’s negative stereotype.
If a win-win solution is not something you agree with, you don’t deserve a cup of guest tea my friend.
I think the SMB website clearly states that it’s a not for profit organisation. Perhaps you missed the about page or don’t understand how SMB really works.
Whatever the case, I can understand Daryl’s anger and frustration when he read this post. He and his team spend so much time and effort organizing SMB so that everyone in the Social Media scene can get together and discuss hot topic in a comfortable setting. A lot of people benefited from these activities. Instead of thanking them for a job well done, we get a blog entry calling them a “mysterious cult-like group” and accusing them of milking cash from companies. I also feel that it’s unfair for the team. What have they done to deserve this?
I have attended all 5 SMB and I don’t see how the team attempt to commercialize the activities. I only see a group of people dedicated in organizing a great event for the new media scene without asking for any returns. Having said that, I think you will better understand SMB if you attend one. Do try to come for SMB6 and you will know that your article is completely wrong about SMB.
And I think you owe Daryl and his team a big apologies for this big ho-ha.
Interesting article. I agree with you that there are much gems within the Singaporean Blogosphere waiting for to found.
Would like to check with you how long you have been following MissLoi, EmbraceLiving.net, Celes, and Hit Your Goals by Vincent the personal development blogger? I have chatted with MissLoi on Plurk before and knows she isn’t very much into some of these so-called ‘social media’ events. Just wondering if you know about the rest?
The point I am trying to make is this… some of these social media promotion groups make it sound like they are ‘somebody’ but blogosphere by and large passes them by and aren’t even aware of their existence. In short, are they are true representation of blogosphere?
Mate no one is accusing you of anything. And you’re coming at this from a very strong point of view. Is it not rational that any response will attempt to set right whatever representations, true or otherwise, you have made? Evidently you have not done anything in response to Daryl’s post. You have not amended it, nor have you seemed to accept any of the points made by him. I am not saying that this is wrong or even necessary. This is your perogative. However you must acknowledge that there are certain errors made on your post, that are not clearly substantiated or reflected in reality. You ask us to “agree to disagree”, while this may be true for any other part of your article. This cannot be said for SMB and the representation you have made of it. It is clearly not for profit and not for the monetary improvement of its organising members.
I have attended SEVERAL meetings of SMB. And not once did I feel that there was “monetary incentive” to attend, to blog, to do anything other than meet up with other bloggers and have a drink or snack. Granted this is individual and I cannot speak for other bloggers, but I doubt that companies would hijack what is clearly a social event for a particular agenda.
Perhaps you should attend one of the SMB events? And see how this is hardly the “elitist” group that you accuse it of being. Rather it is as inclusive as anyone would imagine.
hahahahaha… another one riding on the others’ waves to get a good surf.
Guys, thanks for sharing your opinion with me. I understand that you are genuinely concerned with this issue and have spent time writing long comments. I feel your sincerity and hope that things can turn up in a positive, constructive, and win win way where everyone can walk away happily with smiles on the faces.
This is really what I hope for, and this is what discussion is about. I really thank you. I agree to disagree and I accept that opinions are subjective and it’s hard to pin down what’s right or wrong. What matters is that conversation flows and bonds are made. I share the pride for building community and glad that I’m a part of it.
I’m a contructive person, not destructive. As you can see, this post is not a hate, but love and optimistic post praising people.
For those who tosses one line insult, this won’t help much but it makes thing worse. For that I have more doubt on what SMB is about.
Don’t forget to bookmark this blog and subscribe to RSS. I’m grateful for that (alright, just a bad joke
)
@DK
I’m sorry that a few lines of words can enrage Daryl so much until he throw his TV out of the window (alright, I LOLed at my own words…. sorry, can’t control.. hahahahha. Man, I hope he didn’t do it for real)
I’m open for win win solutions but the way he handle this problem doesn’t work, unfortunately. For a self claim social media expert, it’s sad that he can’t handle misunderstanding and causing a problem to grow from a mole hill to a mountain. Bad for everybody. But too bad, since that’s his choice, I doubt there’s anything constructive I can do.
However, if daryl choose the destructive way (due to anger or ego or whatever)
He can write a 2000 word post demonizing me or print anti-Relax T shirts and car stickers to ask people to boycott me, or whatever. In the spirit or freedom of expression. I shall respect his wish.
I hope things will turn out well. There’s a war going on already.
Happy Wednesday. it’s late already and I wish you guys a good night sleep. See you later!
Singapore blogsphere has already evolved from the times when people sit in front of computers and spamming characters into their blogs. Pockets of bloggers here now gather offline. SMB is just an offline channel for the local bloggers to share their viewpoints, get to know each other better. If there is any cash-grabbing scheme(s) behind this, I would have known and attend every single SMB. Saying this, I must add that I have yet to attend a single SMB due to prior commitments.
The statement:
is rather subjective unless you actually interact with Singaporean bloggers, whether their blogs are good or bad. I rarely see you commenting in blogs or going through bloggers’ plurk timelines (I can’t say for Twitter since I seldom use it). Ping.sg certainly has its flaws, but you cannot deny its positive pivotal role in the Singaporean blogsphere. Besides Nuffnang and Advertlets, Ping.sg was one of the few local sites which catalyzes offline blogger gatherings. It was from Ping.sg that I and certainly many others who get to know about Miss Loi’s and Sheylara’s websites. The active members then has gone on initiating meet-ups, gatherings and events on their own. These include online support for the Singapore Slingers, Singapore Plurkers, SMB and even personal events!
Niche blogs are hard to create and there are tremendous efforts needed before these blogs are recognised. And thses blogs don’t not necessary reach out to the general audience. Niche blogs, being niche, will and always have specific target audience. For example, I rarely visit your’s as I do not need study tips to serve National Service.
An addition comment is that: there is no win-win situation in your post as
You accused a group of something which is not of their nature. Indirectly, you are accusing the founder(s) of being not what they are.
Your post is clearly biased and totally misunderstood the Singapore blogsphere.
@ brokenshardz
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it.
@Relax,
By no means that Daryl wants a ‘war’ with you (I hope). He was just offering his POV as a core member of SMB. What he gave you was just his stand and wished to have this misunderstanding corrected. You can do so just by adding his thoughts into the post, if you still stand by your perceptions and not wanting to edit out what you have just typed. You didn’t do that and continued on in the next few comments. Isn’t this akin to the situation whereby a company being mis-represented on newspapers and not being bothered to correct it? Hey, this blog has just only being praised as a role model. But I see otherwise in this post.
Dear brokenshardz,
the readers have the rights to read alternative opinion on the comment box. I will not censor comments unless they are spammy, irrelevant comments, or trolling.
you can perceive me as an angel or demon. I shall respect your opinion.
You can’t expect him to be nice to you after those strong accusations right? I also won’t be nice in my reply if you were to accuse me of something which is clearly untrue.
Having said all these, I’m still very blur about your current stand. Do you still think your blog entry about SMB is correct or you think you have made a mistake?
@relax,
alternate opinions will be read in the comment box, but how much of it will be absorbed? This is the 20th comment and more than half before this are lengthy enough to put off the casual readers from reading the entire comment page to formed an informed conclusion. Everyone will be happy if you just add on a small summary at the end of your post about this discussion…
@ DK
he has the choice to choose his action. if he hurl battle axe at me, that’s too bad. I don’t know how he can manage social media relation.
As for my stand, I have already posted on the blog. I don’t claim myself to be right but that’s my view.
The readers are the king. They can read alternative opinions here and make up their mind what to believe. My job is not to shove my sh1t down my readers throat.
if you disagree with my post, I respect your choice. You can comment or write a blog post in respond to my post.
@brokenshardz
sorry. the readers decide.
I guess the readers has already pointed out that you are very wrong on your comment about SMB.
I’m disappointed to see that you still refuse to admit that it was an error on your part and you still refuse to apologise to the SMB team.
You wrote this blog entry to say that Singapore blogosphere got hope and isn’t as bad as what tpjcian and weikiat said. But your behavior here has further proof to them that the quality of Singapore blogosphere has declined. How ironic.
Thanks for sharing your thought and criticism. You are free to express your view and make your judgement on my behavior.
If you feel my opinion is unfair, you have the rights to defend yourself.
Relax, you are wrong. And yet you refuse to admit it. You can thank us all you want, this will do nothing to elevate our opinion of you or your blog. You seem to take it negatively when Daryl raised some truly valid points. Points that you should have considered before making allegations about SMB. Daryl did not swear, did not curse, did not “hurl battleaxes” “televisions” or any manner of classic internet flame. In fact he was (rightly) civil and pointed out certain factual errors with your post. These are not matters of opinion. These are matters of established fact, and when you choose to ignore them, you must expect people to come forth and defend themselves vigorously. Once again, I ask you to edit your post to reflect the established reality of the situation and in the future consider attending SMB to dispel any possible misconceptions you may have about the group.
woah…sounds like relax got himself into a sticky situation……
I’m smelling a follow-up post coming up judging by the radical reaction left by commentors.
@Jerrick
you come here to discuss, give feedback, and express your view, not to tell me what to do. You are not my boss so don’t come and shove ya sh1t down me. Get it right!
@3point8
neh, they are just minority bloggers who love to drink tea together.
Well, to each his own. It doesn’t mean that writing about sex or random stuff makes your blog not good. It depends on what kind of audience you are trying to attract. It doesn’t mean that talking in-depth about politics or writing intellectual posts actually mean that the blogs are good…because some of them can be so boring that they appeal to very few people.
So don’t cast off some other blogs in the Singapore blogosphere just because you deem them too trivial. You might be surprised that those blogs (especially humor blogs) are the ones which generate a lot of readers, although the things they talk in there can be rather random and mundane.
@ Wendy
I love FAIL blog!
I personally feel that this blog post should be updated with the clarifications from Daryl.
It is rather irresponsible to make an accusation without doing enough research and yet saying that you are trying to do a win-win situation when being pointed out with the error information.
uuuu lala……
I believe each blog have it own life story to tell, everyone have their own writing skills and concept.
Whether if is good or bad quality, I still think if the content is interesting I’ll just read it, but the only blogs I don’t read is politics which kinda bores me.
I feel Singapore blogosphere is really not that bad actually.