I'm a sort of "live and let live" individual.  If it's not illegal and it's not harming me, I really don't care that much what others choose to do. 

I do anticipate that in a forum composed supposedly of professional adults, that the "norm" is going to be responsible, professional, behavior.  It's a shame, in a way, that Jonathan Washburn was compelled to write

ActiveRain Community Guidelines

to reinforce what should be obvious to any responsible, professional, adult.

Yeah, we're always going to have the cliques who shun those who aren't "in with the in crowd" and focus on public displays of backslapping and metaphorically grovelling at the feet of their most sacred VIP of the day/week/month (if the shoe fits....) - and that's fine - that sort of behavior might sway someone still mentally in grade school.

Here is a logic "flowchart" for all the SIGs (Special Interest Groups) to be found officially or unofficially on Active Rain, for their review, consideration and commentary:

Matt, Ben, James, Caleb and Jonathan make the decisions.

They decide to award points for activities they consider critical to the success of Active Rain and Localism. 

Points are awarded for more than "blogging" - and like it or not - that's the way it is.

Points from all avenues are included in one overall "bucket" for each member.

The more points a member has the more visibility a member has - not only in comparative internal Active Rain Member rankings - but most importantly, to the consumer. (The internal stuff really doesn't matter - at least from a business perspective).

Visibility to the consumer translates into additional opportunities to connect with that consumer, and to generate business and revenue as a result.  (That was a supposition on my part when I joined, and a real life after the fact observation).

Those of us here that are focused on visibility, connecting with consumers and generating revenue do not need, nor are they expected to, have a Masters in Journalism or to be able to write at that "level".

As a consumer, would I rather have a real estate transaction handled:

A. Excellently by a Broker who doesn't specialize as a budding author on the side, but is able to put an adequate string of words together to write sentences that are understood

or

B. Adequately by a Broker who specializes as a budding author on the side, and is able to put an excellent string of words together to write sentences that are understood, acclaimed, lauded, etc.

Personally, given a choice, I choose A.

And for those who would suggest:

C. Excellently by a Broker who specializes as a budding author on the side, and is able to put an excellent string of words together to write sentences that are understood, acclaimed, lauded, etc.

or

D. Adequately by a Broker who doesn't specialize as a budding author on the side, but is able to put an adequate string of words together to write sentences that are understood

I humbly suggest that while A or C is an excellent choice by any consumer for a real estate transaction, the ability to write like a budding author is irrelevant to the actual real estate transaction.

I see a significant amount of "subjectivity" here on Active Rain - "I like your blog, therefore I like you", or "I like you, therefore I like your blog". I refer back to the first paragraph:

I'm a sort of "live and let live" individual.  If it's not illegal and it's not harming me, I really don't care that much what others choose to do. 

I know we've seen some commentary recently about "what Bloggers shouldn't do in their blogs" - but we have many more comments that say "Great Post......." than we do that say "Horrible Post....."!  I suspect that most of us are in our comfort zone to praise in public, but hesitate to criticize in public.  Human nature. 

(This post is totally unrelated to Joe Zekas.  While I disliked his method of delivery, he made very specific and valid points. "And oh by the way" the EHO logo has been on my profile page since the day I joined - can you say the same?)

Why then are the folks who are so focused on the quality of Blog posts (subjectively in my opinion) so quick to criticize those that contribute (and earn points and visibility) to Active Rain and Localism?

Each time I ask this question, the silence is deafening.

So I'm going to suggest a generic answer. 

The folks that are focused solely on their perception of quality of blogs believe that Active Rain is their monarchy, and that anyone who chooses another path on Active Rain with a specific goal in mind should be shunned as a potential usurper and be treated like an outcast.

Agree?  Disagree?  Bite back your tongue?  Doesn't matter to me.  My mission has been to increase visibility to the consumer and be constructive while doing so, and thereby increase business contacts and transactions.  For the amount of time and effort invested to date in Active Rain and Localism, that goal has been surpassed by anything I could have hoped for.  The ROI is astounding!  I know others have seen similar results.  I hope more do.

IMHO we are not here to grade papers in an English class.

I am here to contribute, not criticize.  

I am here to help myself and others become more successful. 

I am here to connect with consumers and provide excellent real estate experiences in Arizona residential real estate. 

How about you?