Who's the third best LJer?

[greybeta]

moocowrich asked me who I thought the third best LJer was.

This begs the question...



(Note: Blank spaces are smileys)

Ratstrike0 (11:04:30 AM): http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=exrandu
Ratstrike0 (11:04:38 AM): another guy you'd like to read
MOOCOWRICH (11:04:43 AM): yeah?
Ratstrike0 (11:04:44 AM): he just entered my reading list yesterday
Ratstrike0 (11:04:49 AM): a wisconsin guy too
Ratstrike0 (11:04:55 AM): friend of odclay
MOOCOWRICH (11:05:01 AM): Good ol' Wisconsin. Best state ever.
Ratstrike0 (11:05:10 AM): I guess cheesehead
MOOCOWRICH (11:06:23 AM): does he write friends-only stuff that I can't see from browsing?
Ratstrike0 (11:07:29 AM): dunno
Ratstrike0 (11:07:49 AM): his last three posts are jan 4, jan 1, and dec 31
Ratstrike0 (11:08:02 AM): that I can read...
MOOCOWRICH (11:08:07 AM): sounds about right
Ratstrike0 (11:08:19 AM): dunno he might not write often enough
Ratstrike0 (11:08:25 AM): but it is good wriing
MOOCOWRICH (11:08:37 AM): I've got nothing against folks who don't write every day.
Ratstrike0 (11:08:45 AM): hehehe I don't either
Ratstrike0 (11:08:51 AM): as long as when they do write
MOOCOWRICH (11:08:56 AM): Good thing, or I'd be screwed. haha
Ratstrike0 (11:08:58 AM): they write good
Ratstrike0 (11:09:01 AM):
MOOCOWRICH (11:10:35 AM): What if they write well? haha
Ratstrike0 (11:11:13 AM): nah only few people write hold up to my standards of writing well
Ratstrike0 (11:11:21 AM): and they post whenever they want
Ratstrike0 (11:11:22 AM):
MOOCOWRICH (11:11:57 AM): Hmm. Who do you think is the third-best LJer?
Ratstrike0 (11:13:53 AM): third best?
Ratstrike0 (11:13:57 AM): who are the best two?
MOOCOWRICH (11:14:30 AM): I'd be surprised if they weren't theferrett and zoethe
Ratstrike0 (11:15:13 AM): well it depends
Ratstrike0 (11:15:22 AM): of course Ferrett-sensei is one of them
Ratstrike0 (11:15:43 AM): zoethe's really good too
Ratstrike0 (11:15:47 AM): but if I had to choose a second
Ratstrike0 (11:15:52 AM): I would actually choose shadesong
MOOCOWRICH (11:16:02 AM): haha as soon as you started explaining I figured you'd say that.
Ratstrike0 (11:16:07 AM):
MOOCOWRICH (11:16:08 AM): I have to disagree though.
Ratstrike0 (11:16:12 AM): oh?
MOOCOWRICH (11:16:42 AM): She's really neat and I like her quite a lot, but she writes posts that I'm tempted to skim through very often.
Ratstrike0 (11:16:54 AM): but see
Ratstrike0 (11:16:57 AM): that's the thing
Ratstrike0 (11:17:07 AM): a lot of people skim theferrett's post too
MOOCOWRICH (11:17:56 AM): Sure, but I think the quality and general meaningfulness of his posts (meaningfulness for the masses) are significantly higher than hers.
Ratstrike0 (11:18:25 AM): okay
Ratstrike0 (11:18:34 AM): I think they're masters of their own styles
Ratstrike0 (11:18:44 AM): so it's more like
Ratstrike0 (11:18:46 AM): 1a and 1b
MOOCOWRICH (11:18:49 AM): That's inarguable. haha
Ratstrike0 (11:18:50 AM): and zoethe is numer two
Ratstrike0 (11:18:53 AM): muahahahha
MOOCOWRICH (11:19:15 AM): I just happen to think her style isn't all that great.
Ratstrike0 (11:19:33 AM): oh, I think it's subtly powerful
MOOCOWRICH (11:19:49 AM): So you can skim what you want and read only the important bits?
Ratstrike0 (11:20:04 AM): that, and
Ratstrike0 (11:20:20 AM): you really understand the human condition in a much more digestable format than theferrett
Ratstrike0 (11:20:25 AM): i.e.
Ratstrike0 (11:20:34 AM): you actually have to think through theferrett's posts
Ratstrike0 (11:20:42 AM): shadesong just gives it to you straight up
MOOCOWRICH (11:20:52 AM): Sure, but where's the fun in that?
Ratstrike0 (11:20:58 AM): two antipodal styles of writing
Ratstrike0 (11:21:16 AM): the fun is that you don't always have the brainpower or willpower to sludge through a long ferrett post
Ratstrike0 (11:21:26 AM): I mean we do
MOOCOWRICH (11:21:27 AM): Perhaps you don't. haha
MOOCOWRICH (11:21:31 AM): Right, yeah.,
Ratstrike0 (11:21:33 AM): but
Ratstrike0 (11:21:44 AM): we're not the only people in this world
Ratstrike0 (11:21:46 AM): see
Ratstrike0 (11:21:50 AM): this is how i look at it
Ratstrike0 (11:21:53 AM): theferrett
Ratstrike0 (11:21:58 AM): he convinces us smart people
Ratstrike0 (11:22:04 AM): if he convinced us to vote for kerry
Ratstrike0 (11:22:12 AM): we'd all think kerry would win in a landslide
Ratstrike0 (11:22:16 AM): then song could say vote for bush
Ratstrike0 (11:22:18 AM): and bush would win
Ratstrike0 (11:22:23 AM): who's more powerful?
MOOCOWRICH (11:22:37 AM): So she's Ferrett Lite?
Ratstrike0 (11:22:45 AM): NO
Ratstrike0 (11:22:49 AM): she's 'Song
Ratstrike0 (11:22:53 AM): she is different
Ratstrike0 (11:22:58 AM):
MOOCOWRICH (11:23:45 AM): Well, obviously. But every discipline in academics has its own Lite or "pop" version that doesn't go in-depth at all and common folks gobble it up.
Ratstrike0 (11:24:32 AM): uh oh
Ratstrike0 (11:24:42 AM): you're going into pompous scholar mode
Ratstrike0 (11:25:00 AM): "oh noes, pop culture history is the suckage"
Ratstrike0 (11:25:03 AM): but
MOOCOWRICH (11:25:09 AM): I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it though
Ratstrike0 (11:25:12 AM): lol
Ratstrike0 (11:25:18 AM): you ever watch Amadeus?
MOOCOWRICH (11:25:18 AM): Just that it exists.
MOOCOWRICH (11:25:30 AM): Yeah, a while ago. I don't particularly remember it.
Ratstrike0 (11:25:56 AM): but you remember it was about mozart right?
MOOCOWRICH (11:26:05 AM): Yeah
Ratstrike0 (11:26:27 AM): well, you probably don't remember this
Ratstrike0 (11:26:28 AM): but
Ratstrike0 (11:26:42 AM): the actual main character was Salieri
Ratstrike0 (11:26:54 AM): the emperor's official composer
Ratstrike0 (11:27:19 AM): now mozart was obviously much superior
Ratstrike0 (11:27:23 AM): in terms of musical talent
MOOCOWRICH (11:27:28 AM): mmmkay
Ratstrike0 (11:27:35 AM): he could create songs just on a whim
Ratstrike0 (11:27:46 AM): salieri struggled mightily
Ratstrike0 (11:27:48 AM): but
Ratstrike0 (11:27:55 AM): he was well paid and in high esteem
Ratstrike0 (11:28:06 AM): because he composed for emperor joseph
Ratstrike0 (11:28:20 AM): now
Ratstrike0 (11:28:32 AM): there's a very famous line that the emperor has
Ratstrike0 (11:29:11 AM): when he listens to Mozart's first imperially commissioned opera
Ratstrike0 (11:29:23 AM): He yawned
Ratstrike0 (11:29:31 AM): Emperor Joseph yawned!
MOOCOWRICH (11:29:38 AM): mmmhmm
Ratstrike0 (11:29:43 AM): that opera was doomed
Ratstrike0 (11:29:48 AM): but the key line
Ratstrike0 (11:29:59 AM): is that Emperor Joseph says to Mozart afterwards
Ratstrike0 (11:30:09 AM): "Too many notes."
Ratstrike0 (11:30:28 AM): joseph preferred quick and upbeat notes
Ratstrike0 (11:30:36 AM): the kind that Salieri was all too glad to make
Ratstrike0 (11:30:49 AM): of course now we all know that Mozart was genius
Ratstrike0 (11:30:50 AM): but
Ratstrike0 (11:30:56 AM): salieri had his purpose too
Ratstrike0 (11:31:04 AM): and mozart died poor
MOOCOWRICH (11:31:07 AM): Is there a point to the story that I haven't already agreed to, D2?
Ratstrike0 (11:31:11 AM): nope
Ratstrike0 (11:31:13 AM): just sayin'
MOOCOWRICH (11:31:16 AM): haha. kewl
Ratstrike0 (11:31:17 AM):
Ratstrike0 (11:31:26 AM): we agree to disagree
Ratstrike0 (11:31:48 AM): btw, the third best LJer
MOOCOWRICH (11:31:54 AM): No, I think we agree on pretty much everything except where our personal preference lies.
Ratstrike0 (11:31:56 AM): thats a good question
Ratstrike0 (11:32:01 AM): k
MOOCOWRICH (11:32:09 AM): (I half-expect you to say greybeta)
Ratstrike0 (11:33:06 AM): (i'd half expext me to say moocowrich)
MOOCOWRICH (11:33:28 AM): haha. You'd show yourself to be quite the liar if you said moocowrich.
Ratstrike0 (11:33:42 AM): I'd be quite the liar if I said greybeta
MOOCOWRICH (11:33:54 AM): Yes, but it's already well-known that you're arrogant. haha
Ratstrike0 (11:34:05 AM): indeed bur
Ratstrike0 (11:34:07 AM): but
Ratstrike0 (11:34:10 AM): I'm also honest
Ratstrike0 (11:34:15 AM): I really like correspondguy
Ratstrike0 (11:34:21 AM): even if he doesn't write enough
MOOCOWRICH (11:35:54 AM): Another Wisconsinite.
Ratstrike0 (11:36:05 AM): hehehe yeah
Ratstrike0 (11:36:28 AM): gentleeleos is pretty good whenever she isn't swamped by her duties as a public defener
MOOCOWRICH (11:36:48 AM): I imagine she's swamped pretty darn often.
MOOCOWRICH (11:36:56 AM): What a job.
MOOCOWRICH (11:37:09 AM): Alright, D2, I've got to run. Got a date to go visit the ol' gf.
Ratstrike0 (11:37:14 AM): scat hed obsidian is another one
Ratstrike0 (11:37:21 AM): then I might place myself somewhere
MOOCOWRICH (11:37:24 AM): Yeah, he's pretty incredible too. Too bad he's going through a tough time.
Ratstrike0 (11:37:25 AM): alright rich
Ratstrike0 (11:37:28 AM): yeah
Ratstrike0 (11:37:34 AM): there are plenty better than me mon ami
MOOCOWRICH (11:38:07 AM): Probably. But you're working pretty darn hard on getting there.
Ratstrike0 (11:38:14 AM): hehehe
Ratstrike0 (11:38:20 AM): I'm just working on improving my writing
Ratstrike0 (11:38:25 AM): if I improve my LJ
Ratstrike0 (11:38:28 AM): that's a side benefit
MOOCOWRICH (11:38:36 AM): They seem to go hand-in-hand pretty often.
Ratstrike0 (11:38:40 AM): true dat


Who do YOU think the third best LJer is?

Comments

[wolflady26.livejournal.com]

roomette.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm, I actually did friend her three weeks ago. If you check her last public entry on Oct. 20th, I left my customary "I hope you don't me friending you because I think you can help me improve my writing in both content and style." We do have something like fourteen to fifteen friends in common, which is a highly unusual number. Dunno, Wolf Lady, I honestly can't say she's the third best when she doesn't respond to a friendly query (and I'm not saying that just cause it's me). She must be going through some pretty tough times. Still, I really wish I could read some of roomette's writings.

Perhaps, Wolf Lady, if you put a word on my behalf, she would friend me so I could read her stuff? I don't know her as well as you do...

[wolflady26.livejournal.com]

She hasn't actually posted in quite a while. She's been quite busy, and may be away for the holidays. Maybe she'll just hasn't been around to answer yet.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Whenever she makes her next public post, I'll try my customary message again.

[futurerelics.livejournal.com]

I love the show Amadeus...i can't quote verbatim, but there are a few great lines - one that stands out in particular; Who immortalized whom? (with regard to the fact that the musicians composed their works to glorify the royalty, but no one cares about the royalty now).

I have no suggestions for number three though. I like many, but often skim many of my favorites, just for the lack of time. I'd agree with most you mentioned in the AIM conversation though.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

F. Murray Abraham played Salieri perfectly.

Yeah, number three is more personal preference than anything else, IMNSHO.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Third best would be Scat Hed (http://www.livejournal.com/users/scathedobsidian/), I think. I know his posts have been slacking lately, due to some personal issues that I hope work out for the best, but the lack of updates doesn't overrule the quality of what he does write.

Complete tangent, but this made me wonder as to your opinion on what I could do better to become a better writer. If you have the time to give a little constructive criticism, I would receive it willingly and gladly. If you don't have time, or don't wish to do so, that's just as fine.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Yeah I mentioned Scat Hed in the conversation towards the end.

Well, if you really want to become a better writer, check out The Ferrett School of Blogging section I just added in my user info. It contains three treatises The Ferrett himself wrote about how he writes. Ferrett-sensei puts it better than I ever could.

[zarhooie.livejournal.com]

'Song and Teh F3rr3tx0r are quality LJers but I don't think they're the best. I personally think that blergeatkitty is the best LJer. 'Song and Ferrett may have her beat as far as official writing-f00 goes, but Blerg is more /real/, you know?

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I suppose if we're looking at the subjective "realness" of people it would be hardpressed to beat the Montana girl. But, if I had to look at the objective "writing leetness" as well, Ferrett-sensei and 'Song would have to edge Blerg.

So I'd put the kitty eater in the running for third best.

[odclay.livejournal.com]

Jeff, or [Bad username or site: exrandu / @ livejournal.com], doesn't update much. His December 31 post, the Year in Review, says so:

September:
I do not update enough.

Anyway, he's initially the one who got me started on LJ in the first place. He started his own journal and eventually showed me te URL, and after reading his occasional--rare--updates, I eventually created my own.

But yeah, Jeff's pretty good.

Third best LJer? I don't know. I haven't explored the ranks of the "good" ljers, beyond ferrett and zoethe.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Well most of the good ones have been covered in this post.

For quick reference:
correspondguy
gentleeleos
scathedobsidian
blergeatkitty
roomette

All of whom aren't writing a whole lot right now. Not even two to three thoughtful posts a week according to the standard at the Ferrett School of Blogging. But you don't have to follow the Ferrett School of Blogging to be a good blogger. But it's one of the better ways I have found.

[wolflady26.livejournal.com]

Well most of the good ones have been covered in this post.

Eh? You really think so? I think five names don't begin to cover the good bloggers on LJ.

And even that's only for the definition of "good" as in "excellent writing" and not as in "really enjoy their posts."

And of course, that's assuming that everyone agrees with your stated top two (plus alternate), which I'm pretty sure that many won't.

Aaaannd, I'd say that the "Ferrett School of Blogging" is designed to help you be a _popular_ blogger, not a good blogger - which isn't necessarily the same thing.

I think that the 8 names you're listing are only scratching the surface, and hardly constitute "most" of the good bloggers, even if you are only considering LJ itself. Which is really only scratching the surface of the blogging world already.

I think something like "most of my personal favorites have been covered in this post" or "most of the ones that I've heard of and think are great" would be more accurate statements.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

I think something like "most of my personal favorites have been covered in this post" or "most of the ones that I've heard of and think are great" would be more accurate statements.
Do I really have to footnote everything with "in my not so humble opinion"?

[wolflady26.livejournal.com]

No, of course not. Is your opinion really that those 8 or so people comprise most of the good bloggers in the world?

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Is your opinion really that those 8 or so people comprise most of the good bloggers in the world?
Considering you know I like using hyperbole, what do you think?

[wolflady26.livejournal.com]

*shrug* I wasn't really interested in arguing semantics so much as pointing out that you have barely seen the tip of the iceberg, if those 8 or so names are what you consider most of the best. But, eh, if you're not interested, as the Germans say, "mir egal" ;)

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

I wasn't really interested in arguing semantics so much as pointing out that you have barely seen the tip of the iceberg, if those 8 or so names are what you consider most of the best.
Considering that LJ is fast approaching ten million LJs, do you think I'm arrogant enough to say that I've seen more than the tip of the iceberg?

Mir egal.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

So I looked at the guides and theferrett even states the guide is to help you collect LJ friends: "Let me show you how to build your LJ audience, step-by-step." Still, part of gaining an audience is offering up a good product and many of his suggestions are sound. Without a definition of what makes a good blog for you (greybeta now), it seems difficult to identify who would be a good #3 choice that you're looking for. Help me help you. :)

[moocowrich.livejournal.com]

D2, I'm not going to read a long raw chat post :-P

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

I don't expect you, too.

Oh, and also...

[moocowrich.livejournal.com]

Begs the question, eh?

Re: Oh, and also...

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Once a saying has been commonly misused enough, it becomes its new meaning.

Of course, that statement might be raising begging the question.