A little while ago, I was watching a documentary about, of all things, competitive arcade gaming. It was a channel flick that we stayed on, just to see what it was about and before Nathan and I realised, we were invested in the story and cheering for the underdog.
As I watched it, I was struck by the similarities of culture in this niche arcade gaming group, to mummyblogging. You wouldn’t think it, but the similarities were astounding.
In the early 1980’s, a man broke the world record for the top score in Donkey Kong. He remained the world record holder for so long, that he was loathe to give up his spot, and so when, twenty years later, a family man broke the world record and beat his score on his home arcade machine, the “leader” pulled strings within the community to have the new world record thrown out.
It was interesting to watch the politics of things, to watch the cronyism and sycophants trying to do everything they could to stop the “up-and-comer” from beating the world record. The maneuvering behind the scenes, the whispered conversations in corners and the favouritism that went on.
It was a lot like blogging.
I thought about it for a while and realised that it is probably like this in most niche communities, where there are benefits to being on top. The people at the top of the pack have a vested interest in staying at the top of the pack, while at the same time, refusing to acknowledge publicly that there is a “pack” at all.
We’re all equal, they cry, this way is fair for everyone, as they scrabble to maintain position, jostling and pushing.
I’m not saying they shouldn’t be there – generally if you’re at the top of the pack, you’re there for a reason and no one disputes that.
But in blogging, I’ve seen very very good writers have their blogs passed over time and time again, while other bloggers are lauded as the pinnacle of success.
[I should point out that most of what I’ve watched happen has happened in the US blogosphere, as Australia is only just reaching that point now.]
It’s interesting to know that this phenomena; the wanting to keep the status quo, not wanting to rock the boat and certainly, not wanting to upset the people perceived to be “at the top” is not unique to any community.
It appears that it’s just human nature, which is interesting, don’t you think?
It makes me wonder, does this stem from when humans were first evolving and everyone had a vested interest in keeping the leaders leading, the followers following, and the questioners kicked out.
Like I said. Interesting.
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If you’re interested, this is the documentary.
I think human beings are interesting. Full stop. It is interesting how one person can write something and not get very much feedback at all but then another can write something almost identical and because they are well known, their post will go viral. It then becomes a case of not what you know but who you know.
Also; on a side note, I know that being passed over must hurt that writer too. Especially when they see the above scenario happening in their own back yard.
Yes, I do find that interesting. Also, the sycophanting that goes on.
I think I’ll agree with Tiff, there are definitely people out there who write similar things but don’t get the same feedback.
I’m new to Blogging, at the moment I am finding the community friendly, although I have only just touched the surface. I do wonder at times how some became so popular and others not so, hmmm
I’ve been wanting to see that Donkey Kong thing for ages.
I agree with everything you’ve said too, but can’t put in words very well today as I have the flu. I’m thinking I’ll revisit this to comment again when I’m thinking clearer.
Watch it! Like Signe says below, it’s about so much more than gaming, it’s about human nature and good vs bad and everything in between.
I’ll try to get my hands on it very soon:)
OMG! I love the King of Kong! I saw it the first time a year ago; it was so hard to get anyone else convinced to see it ‘its about a man who tries to break a gaming record’ – but it is not, is it? It’s about human nature, good versus evil (and the good is so good and the evil so sleezy), how people gang up with the winner, where they feel safe and protected and maybe a little bigger because the masters light shines on them.
I think it is spot on to say that it depicts human nature in its most basic form.
I have to say though… as a new blogger I’m starting to wonder what I’ve gotten myself into…
YES! When Nathan and I were watching, we were astounded at how good it was and how we’d just stumbled into watching it. It is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen.
Blogging is fun. If you keep the fun at the forefront of your mind, you should be fine 🙂
This is so true, sad, but true! Great post!
There is something about human nature that wants to keep the status quo. We cut down “Tall Poppies”, we revere the established “leaders” and fall in love with brilliant young ‘uns. As long as they don’t rock the boat too much.
I suspect it’s the same in all communities, social and professional. It certainly was during my career in the public service. I missed my chance to be the “brilliant young ‘un” so a bunch of others got the spots and became “revered leaders”. And I was constantly cut down as a “Tall Poppy”.
There’s probably some evo psych explanation for it all. Maybe, in earlier human societies, newcomers / rule-breakers were dangerous to everyone’s survival? Maybe the most people survived by supporting the status quo, no matter how tired it was becoming?
Savage defence of power, once it’s possessed, is also, I reckon, a throwback to the monkey hindbrain, which figures like this: I can only be dominant if YOU are not, and MY dominance brings me many advantages and I want to keep them. Or something 🙂
This post SCREAMS at me!!! I am experiencing something similar in our blog world here. The cool kids are the ones screaming the loudest “we arent the cool kids – there is no such thing”
But it is pretty much how we are. There are the cool kids, leader of the packs at high school, in the office, at your kids school – everywhere!
I didn’t watch the Donkey Kong thing, but I’m quite surprised that someone would pull strings like that just to keep his top spot. It seems petty to me. there’s always going to be someone somewhere who does things better or faster than the previous top dog. You have to be able to accept these things. That’s not “you” literally, it’s the collective “you”.
I could give an example, but we’re restricted in what we’re allowed to write when it comes to the company I work for.
Well written Veronica, it is a big community for sure…I am still trying to find my feet when it comes to blogging…I don’t care where I am on the sphere but then again it can matter a great deal to others and I can understand that.
Oh, you have a link to the doco!! Thank you:)
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