The death of the blogger came as a surprise. Sure, people had seen a decline for a while, but still – everyone felt the shock that happens when faced with death, slow or sudden.
Death does that to you.
But this death – this death was worse than most. This was the death of a blogger. The whole community felt it. Questions were asked – if it can happen to him then it can happen to me. Suddenly, the one thing that bloggers fear the most just edged a little closer to them.
The sad thing is, the signs were there. But the blogger didn’t do anything to stop the decay and the community never spoke up. Except with their eyes – they spoke up with their eyes, and they stopped looking.
When the looking was gone, the blog decay set in mercilessly.
The authorities tried to help. They offered their services free of charge. BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog tried to get the blogger onboard and share his story with the world, but he thought the world would come to him regardless.
BackType called and let him know that people had things to say and that they could help him in his solitude. But again, the blogger said no – he wanted a closed space where only a private few could be his friends, his confidantes.
His voice was not for others to judge – he would be the judge instead and others would like it. After all, he was the blogger.
He stopped caring about his appearance. He didn’t care if people couldn’t find their way about his blog. It wasn’t his fault they were idiots – he knew where everything was, that should be good enough for anyone else.
He ignored the new boys in town. Sharing his stories with others was for the birds – no wonder they called it tweetering or whatever. Speaking with people and listening to ideas on how to improve his blog? Damn their cheek! What did they know about blogging – they only used 140 characters. Heathens!
So the authorities gave up. You can only help a blogger that wants to be helped. Technorati and Alexa said their goodbyes, and the blogger started to slip further into obscurity.
The decay was quick. People forgot. People moved to pastures new.
In response, the blogger’s health deteriorated. His mind stopped looking at ways to shine. His effect diminished and his stories no longer mattered.
Death was swift. The ripples, however, could be felt for months afterward. Everyone knew it, but wouldn’t say it: “There but for the grace…”
But lessons can always be learned. If you’re willing to listen. If you’re open to those that can – and want to – help you.
You have regular health checks, right?
