Generally – well, every year, in fact – I don’t take any notice of the Total Politics Blog awards. This is pretty much because it is merely a subjective popularity contest. There is no objective measure of quality. And as evidence for my stance I present the regular number 1 spot…
Despite my eschewing the whole thing, I have featured in the lower 100s usually and in the right wing category, which means that despite not actively soliciting votes and not bothering to vote myself, some people have decided that my wittering is worth voting for. The category was always a little weird in my opinion as I am not right wing any more than I am left wing – at most over the years I have drifted from a little left of centre to a little right of centre. A closer category would be either libertarian or these days, non aligned.
I noticed that the voting system has changed this year allowing the voters to determine category. Not only has this demonstrated greater accuracy, but suddenly I have shot up the ratings to 38 in the libertarian blog category and 10 in the libertarian bloggers. Given that there was no effort on my part, this isn’t bad – clearly I’m more popular than I thought I was. Not that I plan to let it go to my head or anything :mrgreen:.
It would be churlish of me not to say thank you to those of you who did vote. And, of course, those of you who were responsible for Orphans of Liberty storming in at number 13 despite only starting five months ago.
Thank you all.