Lara declared:
Blogging Is…A County Fair
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
There’s a new project over at Successful Blog, and I thought I’d give it a shot. It’s a group writing project and the question is: What’s Your Blogging Metaphor?. Edit: More of a simile, actually.
Blogging has always been a hard thing to explain to the generation before us. “Web 2.0″ and “blogosphere” are things they just don’t know about. Rather than ignore this fact, I’ve come up with the perfect metaphor for blogging.
Blogging is like a county fair. You know… funnel cakes, completions, and all. Everyone gathers around - your family, your neighbors, kids, grand parents, friends. Each person brings something unique - money for amusements, pies to sell, or BBQ equipment to compete with.
All of these different attractions at a fair make up the diverse spectrum of topics in the blogosphere, or the entire “blog world.” Although food dominates at a county fair, Aunt Suzie’s pie represents a gadget review blog while Uncle Tom’s secret BBQ technique represents a fiery political blog.
Aunt Suzie proudly brings her pie to the table. She takes look at every other ladies’ pies (even though she knows hers is the best) and shares recipes, comments on the shape and style of each crust, and new ideas for next year. Think of this small congregation as a blog. Whether its a gadget or a pie, there’s constant review, commenting, and chat going on.
Now Uncle Tom… he’s a little more competitive. You see, he represents the fiery world of political blogs. Uncle Tom knows he’s got the best BBQ recipe, and he’ll fight to prove it. The men gather ’round and openly critique each others’ rigs and styles. No holds barred: review, commentary, and discussion still occur. Although none of the men want to admit it, each of them are learning new techniques, styles, and ideas during this event.
Catch the underlying theme here?
In both of these examples, discussion and feedback are the defining point. This is exactly what a blog represents. The blogosphere represents a world of discussion and commentary… just like your local county fair competitions 
Blogging Is…A County Fair
1
Char said,
May 29, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Great metaphor Lara! I love this design, too! I can’t get over how polished your design and writing are - and you haven’t even started college yet.
2
What’s Your Metaphor? said,
May 29, 2007 at 9:43 pm
[…] Mustard with Blogging is … A County Fair RSS 29. May 2007 (09:37) Filed under: […]
3
Juggling Frogs said,
May 30, 2007 at 7:06 am
What a great metaphor! I love it.
Just like the state fair: everyone’s invited.
In addition to Aunt Susie and Uncle Tom, who are serious cooks, the county fair usually offers less nutritious fare, such as cotton candy and taffy apples…
You have to be careful of the pickpockets and hucksters as you cruise the county fair. Keep an careful eye on your wallet as you enjoy the carnival rides.
(Are there rides at your fair? Those could be the blogs with popup ads and heavy flash animation…)
There are some segments of the blogging world that can be likened to the exotic-breeds-of-chickens display.
This was wonderful. Thank you for sharing it!
4
Lara said,
May 30, 2007 at 7:23 am
Exactly! Thanks for these additions Juggling Frogs. You’re right on, and humorous too! haha.
“Pictures that obnoxious salt and pepper shaker ride as an ugly pop up telling me I must install something or die now.”
5
Brenda said,
May 30, 2007 at 1:24 pm
That’s an excellent metaphor for describing blogging. (: Despite having blogged for so long, I can’t seem to even think up of a phrase or even anything to describe the whole process and experience.
Unless I draw a parallel with the act of throwing up, since it involves releasing your thoughts from your system. I can go further into how the components stored in puke are related to the wide variety of food people eat and how it thus, creates a diverse blogosphere but I’m afraid more people will throw up after reading this.
My mind thinks in the wrong way sometimes.
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Lara said,
May 30, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Haha, I love the way you think Brenda. Good one!
7
Juggling Frogs said,
May 30, 2007 at 2:28 pm
@Brenda: THAT is how you’d describe it to your Mom? Oy! (Refraining to muse much on how too much bile is bad for the esophagus, but other times, vomiting is therapeutic…. Hmm…I think I’ll skip lunch today!)
8
Why Conversational Blogging Is Like A Conga Line - Dawud Miracle @ dmiracle.com - (formerly Healthy WebDesign) said,
May 31, 2007 at 11:06 am
[…] gotta take a read - she does a great job comparing blogging to a farmer’s market. Lara even picked up on the theme. Liz also inspired me by beginning her Group Writing Project: […]
9
Dawud Miracle said,
May 31, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Ooh, does it ever. It’s this ‘world of discussion’ that really sets blogging apart from any other medium. Thanks for a great post.
10
Blogging is Like…. said,
December 27, 2007 at 2:55 pm
[…] Blogging is Like a Country Fair […]
11
Blogowanie jest jak… » Google Ad$ense » Archiwa said,
December 27, 2007 at 7:35 pm
[…] Blogging is Like a Country Fair […]
12
John Harrigan said,
December 28, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Sweet and Beautigul site Laura. A similie and a metaphor are similar but different. A similie is a comparison using “like” or “as.” Wikipedia explains it well under the “content” area of “metaphor.”
13
Lara said,
December 28, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Haha. Thanks for the note John. I understand the distinction. However, I got caught up quite a bit with project and the error went completely unnoticed.
Heh, and sorry to bug, but it’s Lara, no u
Thanks for visiting!
14
Writing Blog » Blog Archive » Blogging is Like…. said,
January 3, 2008 at 8:37 am
[…] Blogging is Like a Country Fair […]
15
Blogging Metaphors said,
March 13, 2008 at 4:45 pm
[…] Blogging Is…A County Fair […]