Future of Blogging: An analogy

I've been blogging for quite a while now. Technically, it's been more than 2 years. But if you dig a little deeper, you'll realize that my posts are more frequent compared to previous years. I have had my share of experiences with fellow bloggers and the way blogging works and how different it is from the way it should have worked. 

Now I got into blogging thinking I will write on topics I feel like, topics that interest me and will expect my friends (college, office) to go through them and give their opinions on the same. I still write on topics that interest me and have strong opinions on certain topics which the social / blogging world won't accept. However, I must admit, I got carried away with numbers. Number of page-views, number of shares (or the lack of it), number of followers, number of comments, ranking in various websites (like Technorati etc). I realized I am slowly moving towards a state where I am concerned only about numbers. And I don't blame anyone including myself. You see, its all about numbers in India, isn't it? You have the numbers, you are up in the ladder and close to "success" - whatever that word means.

Blogging industry - or the blogosphere is constantly adapting to surroundings and variables that shouldn't have been a part of blogging in the first place. Let's analyze the other industries and think if my logic makes any sense.

1. Movies (primarily Bollywood): Movies in Bollywood moved from story-line (which differentiated the best from the rest) to the so-called masala flicks (which is nothing but entertainment and story is just a by-product). Similarly songs moved from being soulful with heartfelt to songs that are more interested in molesting women (Like Munni) and women ready to be molested (like Sheila). There was no "need" in the market yet we accepted it.

2. Cricket: Cricket is a typical case in point. From Tests to ODIs to T20s, we are making the user feel the need where there is none. And now people start debating which format to be removed / reduced to increase profitability. From technique, we have moved towards stroke play and now to slam-bang cricket. Don't get me wrong, I love T20s. The thing is, it should not interfere with Test matches.

We observe one thing that is common in both the industries - there was no "need" to have an alternate product, but the need was pushed in the market and then it started generating profits - which is why the industry is existing. It's all about profits (numbers). 

Blogging world is also going through a transition. Here I am not considering bloggers who are blogging for money. They know their goal and are moving towards it. But what about the rest of us? Are we here only for the numbers? Numbers are important as it indicated how your blog is being perceived in the blogosphere. Which is like a feedback mechanism. But now-a-days, a "need" is being introduced in this world which could directly lead to marketers selling their products through this platform. That is the future - we cannot evade it. My only concern is that we are moving too quickly towards the next phase thereby compromising the content and quality.