Do Bloggers Always have to Set a Good Example or Can We Teach What Not to do as well? | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

As a reader, I like anything that is different.  I think having your dog pick stocks would be fun just to see the results.  You could mention that you don't think it's a sound strategy and write another post explaining why.  Different posts for different folks :)

I like to include the advice as well as the failures! Your readers won't expect you to be perfect, and if you are, then that's just boring. If you write about your life and are as transparent as possible, then you will do well.

I agree – I think just like anyone, blog readers learn as much, or maybe more, from our failures! I share both.

I don't think we necessarily have to set good examples in what we write as much as we can help the reader by encouraging them to think and look at things critically. I'm not a poker god by any means but one thing that I like about the books that I've read is that they encourage you to think about things a certain way when analyzing a situation. It doesn't mean that there's a right or wrong answer, only that there are things you should consider.

In the same way, you might not like investing in individual stocks, but we can still learn something by looking at it and evaluating it critically. I think it doesn't matter if you're right or wrong since right and wrong will vary from person to person; what matters is that you speak your mind and write with good intentions.

Post edited 11:51 am – January 28, 2011 by Sustainable PF

Our site falls into this thread topic …

We look @ PF with a Sustainable outlook.  We try to show how our choices are good for both our PF and our beliefs about how we go about living our lifestyle.  However, we won't always be successful b/c we try to balance both "worlds".  For example – organic, locally produced food is WAY more expensive than stuff from Walmart (where we refuse to shop).  Is this the right PF choice? Nope, we spend more due to our choice.  Could it be the right PF choice over the course of our lives (when we consider our health, the environment that we live and breath and reproduce in etc etc) – perhaps … but I can't say for certain.  Another example – our car purchase.  We bought a car that uses GAS.  Not a hybrid.  Sure we tried to get one that has partial zero emissions exhaust, but we ultimately didn't make the MOST sustainable choice (which would have been a) don't drive period and b) drive a non oil based vehicle) – we made an economic choice.  So again, would a hybrid save us money over the lifetime of owning the car (we own ours for 15 yrs or more before they fall apart) … perhaps once again.  Same thing as our food choice regarding the environment and our health, and the fuel purchases and increasing cost of fuel.  But again, impossible to forecast.

I'm rambling.  We're bloggers.  We write about what we think about.  Sometimes we truly believe what we're writing in, sometimes we write to start discussion.  Some people write to make money, some people write b/c they are passionate about their topic of choice, or simply love to write!  Check out any PF blog and you'll find a disclaimer stating that what is written is NOT professional advice.  Just the ramblings of one or more people who post material on the Web.

I don't think we should try to appear perfect. I struggle with this as well, because sometimes I feel that if I put my failures out there, I will be ridiculed (the commenter who says "why are you writing a blog?").

As it turns out, my failure writings are some of my most popular, and people are generally open to them. In fact today I had one up yesterday: My List of Stupid Money Spent: 2010.

I agree with what everyone has said, I guess the difference for me is that I am putting up something that I know is somewhat incorrect (in my opinion) from the start.  I agree it is good to post about your mistakes, but it might be something else to put an experiment or an entertainment piece above actually providing good advice.  I like the sentiment that it is alright so long as you make an effort to point out what is wrong about it in your opinion/etc., so others can learn from you.  In my day job I'm a lawyer so a lot of what I do is about perception and trying to act to clients or adversaries as though you do not make errors…so maybe that is my holdup exposing the weaknesses in a blog……even if it is anonymous.  Thanks again.