Dumb and dumber

This week has been laden with dumbness. It's like the web has gone to Hawaii and left filler content in its stead. No kidding. Ready?

Dumb #1: Really, really big buttons

Okay, it's not new: there's always been a brand of online marketer that thinks big means more clickable. And sure, if your call to action is so small that no one will ever see it, then yes: bigger might be better. But placement comes into the equation, too. And at some point, everyone's seeing your call to action, so bigger is just more ridiculous.

I hope you're ready. These social media buttons are freaking enormous.

Case 1: sidebar buttons

I found these in a sidebar. They were pretty freaking big.
Case 2: header buttons

Kids, kids, kids. Get your hoof off the accelerator, okay? These buttons were on the right of a site header. On the left? The logo. In the middle? A brand image. On the right? This.

Images are shown at actual sizes. Actual sizes. At 100 paces from my monitor, I can still make that freaking f out.

Okay, we get it: "engage" with you on social media. Alright ALREADY!

Dumb #2: Sheer idiocy

I know, I say everything's sheer idiocy. But tumblr takes the cake. Yeah, some people put new stuff on their tumblr blogs. But 99.9999 repeating per-uncreative-cent do nothing more than rip other people's shit. Like repost, with no added anything. What's the point? Seriously?

This makes me wonder: has the glittering gleam of uncontrolled self-publication lost its tantalising shine already? Have people forgotten the war?*

Dumb #3: Lacklustreness. And yes, that's a word. Because I said so. Don't start with me now.

Look, beautifulswearwords was smile-worthy for the first three minutes, but after that? It's nowhere near as compelling as whatthefuckshouldImakefordinner.com, let's face it.

And as for the endlessly creative 404s, they were cute the first time, but really, who has time to read two hundred words and watch a video, for Christ's sakes, when they get to a lost page? I was wanting to waste time by following the link in the first place, but even I couldn't be bothered dealing with all that content. People want to get shit done, okay?

Dummary

In conclusion, I'm finding there to be more dross—but more highly-produced dross—on the web at the present juncture than previously. Where we will go from here, oh weary pilgrims, is anyone's guess. I recall a time when the thought of publication through uncontrolled channels filled hearts with both joy and inspiration. I know that makes me sound like I'm 80. But whatever.

On the plus side, do good work, and boy will you ever stand out. Boy.

*Sorry. I was just feeling a mite stalwartish. Apologies.