Wine Blogging Motives and Modus Operandi
Wine Blogging Motives and Modus Operandi isn't so much about wine reviews, as it's my way expressing some feelings and observations about wine blogs and wine bloggers.
The best example for examination is myself. My motives are mixed, but first and foremost is my old love of photography and my new love of wine followed by a desire to journal those loves.
My photography was transformed and continues to evolve, but the time and costs represented are considerable; others have decided by hook or by crook to plagiarize some of my efforts (no surprise that wine bloggers can be cheats as are people in the general population). When that plagiarism is pointed out, I usually get "I didn't know" or these plagiarists just ignore my complaints.
As one who isn't trained or talented in writing, that too comes with much effort, but understandably as of yet, hasn't been found to have been copied.
As of August 2013, I have not advertised or taken wine samples for review, it is a choice I've made for a number of reasons, but I don't consider those (boggers taken seriously) who avail themselves of these benefits of in any way doing something wrong or of being compromised, though the danger is always lurking in the background.
Wine blogging is immensely more difficult and costly than I would have imagined, and that is reflected by the vast number of wine bloggers which come and go; sadly, some of whom have become friends (I have never considered this to be a ZERO-SUM game).
Many wine bloggers use the medium as a way to keep family and friends abreast of their "goings-on" and some use wine blogging incidentally as an educational tool in addition to their reviews, commentaries, or presenting paired cuisine creations. Some wine bloggers pour more than wine, they pour their hearts and their souls into their blogs; this is not a light thing to disparage or misuse, but to respect.
Lastly, many bloggers have discovered they have a cyber-neighborhood, a "place" where they live and enjoy other blogger's "lawns" and "flower gardens", even sharing their labors of love.
Human kindness doesn't have to stop with family or physical neighbors, and in some sense can even be better expressed (more authentically) with those having common bonds of wine, education, and dogs.
Just a few thoughts to consider!
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Well put. I think motivations also change as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that people would like to use your pictures as you clearly put a lot of thought into their presentation. Have you considered putting a trade mark link on your photos so they always link back to your blog?
Thank you Sandra:) Yes, I've considered it, but not being very technical, I haven't yet figured out how to put a trade mark link on my photos; any help will be appreciated.
DeleteDennis,
ReplyDeleteI agree, well put. As a fellow blogger, I love it when people cite my blog, so I go out of my way to cite theirs if the topic is relevant or I use one of their pictures. This latter issue sometimes comes up when we attend the same event and my picture stinks and their's doesn't. Or if I stumble upon a review of theirs that is some years old. There's a right and wrong way to do everything. Karma is real.
J
John, you are the erudite one!
DeleteThat's why I have so many links to Tuscan Vines in my blog, but I give you the credit and wouldn't dream of using your material without doing so, after all the HARD work you put into Tuscan Vines.
As always, Thx much for your contribution.
Love that 'Terri' label!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many times I use my blog as a refernce tool for previous vintages, pruning dates, budbreak etc. Guilty of just keeping "friends and family abreast of" my goings-on!
Vinogirl, thx for the "other" category:)
DeleteHere's another "cheat", I wonder what kind of reputation goes along with using someone else's property: XXXXXXXXXXX I have asked them to remove the picture or give proper accreditation.
ReplyDelete