When I was a kid, I had an ant farm, and as boring as that might sound, it is actually a fascinating way to spend some quiet time. Learning about how ants work in their natural communities can give you some great insight on life. Well…ok…limited (but great) insight. It’s not like I’ve ever seen a magnifying glass big enough to crispy-fry a full grown human being with. Yet.
Over the past couple of years, I began to read online blogs, in particular LDS related ones, and I found that these micro-communities fascinate me in much the same way my old ant farm did. They’re behind glass (screens), there is usually a king or queen of some kind, (admin) and most of the regular participants seem to fall into specific roles. Since each blog is frequented by all kinds of ants, it would be futile to attempt to cover all of the possible combinations…not to mention that I DO have other interests and only so much time in a day. So I’ll just categorize them based on my own personal observations, and because it seems to work especially well for those in the “Bad” and “Childish” groups.
- The Good-in this category I place any blog dedicated to providing solid information about the LDS Church and the doctrines and teachings of Jesus Christ in a way that is uplifting, kind, genuine, and straightforward. You know…honest without being a detriment to the faith of others.
- The Proud-in this category is any blog that CLAIMS to do what the above ones do, only they attempt to do it by sophistry, debate, intellectual superiority or bluntness.
- The Hopeless-this unfortunate group is the result of trying to blend the former two compatibly. Unaware (or in denial) that such a combination would be a freakish mutation even if it were possible, most online groups actually fall into this category without ever realizing it.
- The Childish-this group is usually pointing fingers at all of the above, and while they are usually completely right about everything they say (and hysterically funny while they say it) it only spotlights the problem instead of helping to solve it.
Keep in mind that those are MY definitions for use in MY blog and that they themselves would probably categorize themselves differently than I do. For example, The Proud and The Childish would probably classify The Good as “The Boring” while accusing The Good of labeling them in return as “The Heretics”. Ironically, the regulars who frequent The Hopeless blogs usually post on ALL the blogs depending on their moment to moment agendas. When they want to feel smug and superior, they post on The Proud blogs, and when they want to feel pious they show up on The Good blogs. What they don’t realize is that everyone knows why they do it and most people just call them The Frustrating.
I don’t intend to link to any farms except The Good for three reasons.
- They get enough traffic as it is and my desire is to help BUILD the kingdom of God rather than attempt to take over the design (or destruction) of it.
- Accuracy. More often than not, what is discussed does not support the actual doctrine/teachings of the LDS Church or its leaders. I have no desire to direct traffic to any “new age” theories or the “vain janglings” of disaffected members.
- The best source for information regarding the Mormon Church if you are not already a member is located at www.mormon.org
