David Risley: The Society of Mediocrity And Your Role As a Blogger
Jeff Risley
· 8 months ago
Wow, good philosophy
Stan Halaby
· 8 months ago
I don't blog, but I'm a total fan of David Risley and I agree wholeheartedly with what he said in the article. I pursue music and I'm trying to 'retrofit' the blogging marketing ideas to marketing my music .. I just may end up having an attached 'blog' but I'm still up in the air about that. Thing is, I enjoy David's writing and am very proud to have him as a friend on facebook and twitter. I totally agree with him to strive to be a beacon of good and excellence in a world that pushes mediocrity down our throats.
Nate
· 8 months ago
David, this post is absolutely amazing. Just what I needed to hear. The part that was best about this for me was where you talk about how when you try to do something extraordinary with your life people feel the need to bring you back to the "real world" that they understand. It's completely bogus but I experience it on an almost daily basis.
Thank you for speaking up about this.
Chris@Mathewson.me
· 8 months ago
Great post, David.
I've long felt that most problems with our society have to do with misplaced priorities. I could go on and on about this, but I'll restrain myself.
I agree with you on every point in this post.
Thanks for having the cajones to say it.
Mike CJ
· 8 months ago
That is a world class post, David. I hate comments which just say "Great post!" But I don't want to add anything to what you've said. It is a Great post!
Lisa Morosky
· 8 months ago
Excellent post, Dave. Something I surely needed to read as I embark on a complete 180 degree life change in the coming weeks.
It's funny, I'm seeing quite a difference in Italian news coverage. Less fear, more deliverance of just plain ole facts. If there's one class I think should be in every middle/high school curriculum, it's a course on media literacy.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Sharron Field
· 8 months ago
David; you have yet again hit the nail squarely on the head. It's good to see that there are still individuals, such as yourself, who have their head well above the river of crap in which most of today's society is wallowing or drowning.
This blog is proof that true humanity is still clinging to life amidst the torrents of BS that pervade modern culture.
Matty Byloos
· 8 months ago
Amen. I've nothing more to say as you've said it all.
Charles Bohannan
· 8 months ago
Well-stated and passionately delivered. You seem to be loosening up these days.
It's hard being a blogger, but they just wait and see....our day will come.
Will you be Izeafest this year?
Coupon Artist, Frugality and S
· 8 months ago
I agree completely. I think the media also dumb's things down for people too. They want to sell ad space so they have little teasers leading up to the 11:00 news, "Ten Ways to Save Hundreds of Dollars a Year" or things like the Jim Kramer show which make everyone think that they can understand the stock market and double their money and blah blah blah.
I think a part of this financial crisis that our country is going through was perpetuated by CNN and Jim Kramer and that whole group (I know, Jon Stewart said this better than I did).
If we dumb things down for people, without explaining the truth, then people have no incentive to become educated and really learn things.
People also try to do things and fail, like stock market investing for example on a grand scale, but even something as simple as saving money on groceries, which the Today Show and/or other mainstream media run specials on once every few months. They lure you in by promising you can invest in some silly company, or grab a newspaper and save a few hundred dollars on your grocery bill.
The reality is, so much more work goes into investing in the stock market and/or so much more work goes in to actually saving hundreds by couponing (I tackled this particular issue here: http://www.artofthecoupon.com/truth-saving-mone... because it is one that is near and dear to my heart, I know it is a small one, but if the media even trivializes small things, how are people supposed to work up to educating themselves about the big ones)
As bloggers though, aren't we susceptible to some of the same traps? Don't a lot of us too, want to sell advertising space and or/draw traffic by using sensationalist key words, etc.?
Jamie Lee
· 8 months ago
I read this post on my iPhone, and could hardly wait to get back to my laptop to properly comment. (I love my iPhone, but no miniature keyboard is appropriate for longer than 140-character responses!)
I really appreciate you putting this post out there. I've been reading you for a while and enjoying interacting with you on facebook and twitter, but - I have to say - this is, I think, the first time I've seen you really come out with so much passion on a topic that extends beyond the world of blogging into the very core of a life philosophy. I like it!
I respect you for holding these views (which I share), and for being courageous enough to stick your neck out and proclaim your beliefs so directly - with no apologies or gray matter. Good for you ... and even better for your readers. I can tell from the comments that I'm not the only reader who benefitted from reading your insights and your call to action.
I'm working on some blog-based projects that fall into neighboring territory topic-wise. I'm so excited to being my own ideas out into the light and look forward to sharing them with others in the way you have shared your heartfelt feelings with us in this post.
Thanks for the pep talk, kick in the ass, and for writing your truth.
Roman
· 8 months ago
Lots of agreeing with David, so I will throw in a disagree.
David you state that “There are too many vested interests in having a dumb-downed, drugged, scared population”, that “it is being done on purpose” and it is “a worsening condition.”
I agree that it is to the advantage of the ruling class to have a dumb-downed, drugged, scared population. I agree that it is being done on purpose. But I disagree that it is a worsening condition.
I assume by society you mean the current democratic and free market society. Compared to most societies in the past and other societies in the present we are one of the least dumb-downed, drugged, scared population. Communist, fascist, Church run, King/Emperor societies were and still are in a much worse condition. Current democratic and free market society is a great improvement. The condition is not worsening, it is improving. Even if you limit the scope to our society I see it only as improving. When was is better? When were the glory days to which we need to return to?
Also, you state that “it is being done on purpose”. I agree with that. But the purpose is good. Unlike in other societies the purpose was/is to control people and to limit them. In today's society the purpose is to provide people what they want. They want to watch exciting and fear inducing news. That is why broadcasting companies provide exciting news. It is being done on purpose not to control but because it is what the people want. Fear mongering news stations would disappear quickly if nobody watched them. It is just giving people what they want. I think that is a best possible purpose that can be.
Finally, regarding the lawyer commercials and suing smoking companies and McDonalds I see that simply as business. And a very creative business. It shows how creative and entrepreneurial our society is. Our society rewards people that think outside the mold. It rewards people that find opportunity in the strangest places, places that in other societies people do not or cannot go. Other societies force you to shut up and dig up potatoes your whole life. Our society gives you the opportunity to try to sue a company for making you fat. Whether you win/lose does not matter. The important point is that you are allowed to try and that in our society people do try.
jimi jones
· 8 months ago
David,
this is exactly what I have felt blogging is suppose to be about. We bloggers have no editors other than ourselves, so we are suppose to speak our minds and have an opinion about what we believe.
You've hit this dead on. Society as a whole has fallen into this trap of actually believing that everything is always someone else's fault. It's like those creeps on the corners of every major city on the planet,they rail against the successful and claim that to be the reason for their failures.
The truth is this. Everyone really gets what they want out of life, it's just that most don't want a damn thing but an opportunity to whine and blame someone else.
The news in general really does set the tone for the day, making it easy for excuse seekers to cop-out.
As for me, I do watch the news because I like to keep a tight eye on every fastball that's thrown, although most come from the same gloved hand.
Thanks for the courage of this post, and why not? You are a professional blogger and it's YOUR blog.
I admire you sand, keep up the good work.
Gina
· 8 months ago
Yes, David, unfortunately society fails to teach critical thinking. A few Philosophy courses early on in a child's academic life would help.
Leif Stenlund
· 8 months ago
This is the most important piece of text I've read in a very, very long time. I've been thinking about these things for some time now, and this sums my thoughts up perfectly.
I would like to add you on facebook.
Take care Leif Stenlund
Robyn Durst
· 8 months ago
Well said David. There isn't much more I can say, except that I've followed your blog for some time now and completely respect your thoughts and opinions. This post in right in line with my own feelings. Thanks for the encouragement on blogging!
ChuckRosseel
· 7 months ago
Amen to this post. My senses are on constant alert separating the wheat from the chaff.
Ashton Sanders
· 7 months ago
"I consider it our JOB not to propagate mediocrity and fear. Be a force for good in this world. Do what’s right. Encourage excellence."
Amen is right. Great work David. You continue to impress. Keep up the good work. You deserve to be a 7 figure blogger. =)
Lela
· 7 months ago
Wow, spot on, every bit of it. I wholeheartedly agree with what you say, David. We always blame everyone else but ourselves. Opening ourselves up to ripe exploitation by the authority and big corporations.
I couldnt put the words better myself, David. About time we grasp the bull by the horn and faced the reality of the world and do something positive for ourselves for a change which in turn will benefit the society as a whole. Stopping this "evil" in it's tracks, so we will no longer be a victim and consequently be trodden upon.
Keep it up.
Molly
· 7 months ago
I'm giving you a standing ovation while I type. I found absolutely nothing to disagree with in any part of your post. Stumbling, Tweeting, and Friendfeeding it.
All Comments
Thank you for speaking up about this.
I've long felt that most problems with our society have to do with misplaced priorities. I could go on and on about this, but I'll restrain myself.
I agree with you on every point in this post.
Thanks for having the cajones to say it.
It's funny, I'm seeing quite a difference in Italian news coverage. Less fear, more deliverance of just plain ole facts. If there's one class I think should be in every middle/high school curriculum, it's a course on media literacy.
Thanks for the inspiration.
This blog is proof that true humanity is still clinging to life amidst the torrents of BS that pervade modern culture.
It's hard being a blogger, but they just wait and see....our day will come.
Will you be Izeafest this year?
I think a part of this financial crisis that our country is going through was perpetuated by CNN and Jim Kramer and that whole group (I know, Jon Stewart said this better than I did).
If we dumb things down for people, without explaining the truth, then people have no incentive to become educated and really learn things.
People also try to do things and fail, like stock market investing for example on a grand scale, but even something as simple as saving money on groceries, which the Today Show and/or other mainstream media run specials on once every few months. They lure you in by promising you can invest in some silly company, or grab a newspaper and save a few hundred dollars on your grocery bill.
The reality is, so much more work goes into investing in the stock market and/or so much more work goes in to actually saving hundreds by couponing (I tackled this particular issue here: http://www.artofthecoupon.com/truth-saving-mone... because it is one that is near and dear to my heart, I know it is a small one, but if the media even trivializes small things, how are people supposed to work up to educating themselves about the big ones)
As bloggers though, aren't we susceptible to some of the same traps? Don't a lot of us too, want to sell advertising space and or/draw traffic by using sensationalist key words, etc.?
I really appreciate you putting this post out there. I've been reading you for a while and enjoying interacting with you on facebook and twitter, but - I have to say - this is, I think, the first time I've seen you really come out with so much passion on a topic that extends beyond the world of blogging into the very core of a life philosophy. I like it!
I respect you for holding these views (which I share), and for being courageous enough to stick your neck out and proclaim your beliefs so directly - with no apologies or gray matter. Good for you ... and even better for your readers. I can tell from the comments that I'm not the only reader who benefitted from reading your insights and your call to action.
I'm working on some blog-based projects that fall into neighboring territory topic-wise. I'm so excited to being my own ideas out into the light and look forward to sharing them with others in the way you have shared your heartfelt feelings with us in this post.
Thanks for the pep talk, kick in the ass, and for writing your truth.
David you state that “There are too many vested interests in having a dumb-downed, drugged, scared population”, that “it is being done on purpose” and it is “a worsening condition.”
I agree that it is to the advantage of the ruling class to have a dumb-downed, drugged, scared population. I agree that it is being done on purpose. But I disagree that it is a worsening condition.
I assume by society you mean the current democratic and free market society. Compared to most societies in the past and other societies in the present we are one of the least dumb-downed, drugged, scared population. Communist, fascist, Church run, King/Emperor societies were and still are in a much worse condition. Current democratic and free market society is a great improvement. The condition is not worsening, it is improving. Even if you limit the scope to our society I see it only as improving. When was is better? When were the glory days to which we need to return to?
Also, you state that “it is being done on purpose”. I agree with that. But the purpose is good. Unlike in other societies the purpose was/is to control people and to limit them. In today's society the purpose is to provide people what they want. They want to watch exciting and fear inducing news. That is why broadcasting companies provide exciting news. It is being done on purpose not to control but because it is what the people want. Fear mongering news stations would disappear quickly if nobody watched them. It is just giving people what they want. I think that is a best possible purpose that can be.
Finally, regarding the lawyer commercials and suing smoking companies and McDonalds I see that simply as business. And a very creative business. It shows how creative and entrepreneurial our society is. Our society rewards people that think outside the mold. It rewards people that find opportunity in the strangest places, places that in other societies people do not or cannot go. Other societies force you to shut up and dig up potatoes your whole life. Our society gives you the opportunity to try to sue a company for making you fat. Whether you win/lose does not matter. The important point is that you are allowed to try and that in our society people do try.
this is exactly what I have felt blogging is suppose to be about. We bloggers have no editors other than ourselves, so we are suppose to speak our minds and have an opinion about what we believe.
You've hit this dead on. Society as a whole has fallen into this trap of actually believing that everything is always someone else's fault. It's like those creeps on the corners of every major city on the planet,they rail against the successful and claim that to be the reason for their failures.
The truth is this. Everyone really gets what they want out of life, it's just that most don't want a damn thing but an opportunity to whine and blame someone else.
The news in general really does set the tone for the day, making it easy for excuse seekers to cop-out.
As for me, I do watch the news because I like to keep a tight eye on every fastball that's thrown, although most come from the same gloved hand.
Thanks for the courage of this post, and why not? You are a professional blogger and it's YOUR blog.
I admire you sand, keep up the good work.
I would like to add you on facebook.
Take care
Leif Stenlund
Amen is right. Great work David. You continue to impress. Keep up the good work. You deserve to be a 7 figure blogger. =)
I couldnt put the words better myself, David. About time we grasp the bull by the horn and faced the reality of the world and do something positive for ourselves for a change which in turn will benefit the society as a whole. Stopping this "evil" in it's tracks, so we will no longer be a victim and consequently be trodden upon.
Keep it up.