The Death of a WeBlog

It is really of no surprise. The old gal had been sick for a long time. Most of us didn't even realize she was dying. And, some of the agents that linger there still don't know she is dead. My eulogy is premature for those who are hanging on to what once was.  But, dead she is.

I remember like it was yesterday when I discovered this rich woman full of life. Being old myself, I refer to the grand old dame as a woman. The way a sailor refers to his boat. It may be sexist of me but that's just the way I see it. She was so full of life and sprite. She would consol you when you were depressed and correct you when you were wrong. She did all in a gentle touch and with peer pressure when needed. I would visit her every day two, three, four times just to read the trade information.

Cutting Edge is what I called it. There were people who were gathered to help each other better themselves in the ever changing business environment. The blog was full of contributors of information that that dealt directly with the real estate industry and they would explain it all for free. It is the place where I learned about Voice over Internet, Search Engine Optimization, making a video, editing pictures, changes to loan qualifications and government programs. I would be the first to know about scams and new technology that would help me do my job better. But, yet it was much more than that.

It was a place where agents gathered to tell of their day. They shared so much of themselves that you felt like you knew them. It was almost like a cyber Cheers, that television sitcom tavern, where everyone knows your name. We laughed - like when someone sent a link that claimed to provide video and location of your spouse when you typed in the telephone number (the guy and gal were in a hot tub together) and cried together whenever someone lost a deal or more important a real family member. We learned from each other and we could be ourselves with people, friends that we had never met, but wanted to share a smile or give a hug. Yes, we had our little spats where one or two would not play well with the others. But, like I said it was kind of like a cyber family. And what family doesn't have its trials and tribulations?  

So, you want to know how she died. Of course you do. You, like me care. You see it didn't just happen overnight. There was no horrible accident. It was nothing that should have caused the death. But, (IMHO) it did. What? What was it? It was something that has been seen more and more here at Active Rain. It was POLITICS. First, it was just one or two comments in someone's post regarding how it was this one or that one to blame for this problem or another. Those became more frequent and even become heated between friends. No one likes to see their team blamed and when that happens there will be a response. I mean fair is fair and both sides have a right to express a more full and accurate description of how something came to be.

That's how it started. Then soon someone would post a very one side view of the world and that would lead to a full blown argument over who did what to whom and how each is wrong. Next, there would be the insulting war of words from some of the strap hangers. We all know you can't put the Genie back in the bottle once he is out. Just can't be done. A kind hearted fellow blogger would try and bring into light the small writing in the Bible about the taming of the tongue and how such a small thing can steer a big ship. So you know RELIGION is the next shoe to fall in this death.

Soon, all those great contributors have left. Packed it up and left. They had moved on to their own personal blog or can be found here at Active Rain. The poor old dame is left without any new information and the party lines have all been drawn.  And so, it is with a heavy heart that I bid her farewell.