“Most influential DADS In The Blogosphere?” Feh!

January 3rd, 2008 | Wisdom

Linkbait is often outrageous. Or irrelevant. I mean, what has gender got to do with blogging?

And this collection is no less than others.

The reason it struck a nerve is that it’s nearing the first anniversary of my father’s passing - and the past 12 months have given me deep perspective into just how much influence dad has had on my life.

The presumptuous title of this linkbait post, “The 10 Most Influential Dads in the Blogosphere” relates to their blogging - it’s not about their being dads.

The fact that they all have kids is peripheral and incidental to the influence they wield on the blogosphere - and their making it onto this short list is totally unrelated to their parenting skills and talents.

It would have been just as apt to call this list “The 10 Most Influential ‘Folks Who Stick Their Little Pinkie Into Their Left Ears’ in the Blogosphere” - and a LOT less insulting to the millions of other dads who are out there blogging.

EVERY dad is the ‘most influential’ dad - to his kids. Ditto for moms. I don’t think ANY other dad was more influential (for me) than mine. And many would agree that it’s true about their own parents too.

Influence is a powerful word. By linking it almost accidentally to an equally powerful word like ‘Dad’ (one charged with emotional connotations) is explosive.

Every dad is influential - to his offspring. And as a ‘Dad’ the only kind of ‘influence’ that matters is the kind you exert as a parent. The U.S. President may wield political influence across the world - but as a dad, his influence extends only as far as his own progeny.

And within that domain, every dad is influential. Some positively. Others not so positively. But still influential.

That compiled linkbait list has most of my PERSONAL heroes, so this is not in any way bashing the selection process. Just the label.

No, they are NOT the most influential dads in the blogosphere. There are many others, and more influential in their own ways.

To all these other wonderful dads out there in the blogosphere…

This one’s for you, guys!

YOU ROCK, DAD!