popularity on blogs

I was wondering.. why do some value this kind of popularity so much?? Do they have no better ways to give value to their loves?
How can you even determine your own popularity?? It sure isn't from the numbers of views.. because I can think of a few reasons why they would get way higher then they should.. I've even heard rumours that some would ask friends to just click on a blog as much as possible to get the numbers of views up.

Ok since that won't be a good way how about the number of comments?? That would work, but what if they aren't real comments but you just start smalltalk with anyone that reacts on your blog??.. That would get you loads of comments but nothing that really is about the topic and are just intented to keep people active on your blog no matter what.. So that wouldn't work either in my opinion.

Then what??? Well for me it is more important that the ones that truly are here for blogging as it was meant to be would respect me and are able to have clean discussions with me. I will never agree with anyone here for 100% but i do feel closer to some then others ofcourse.. But i would consider allot of people here friends or at least people that i respect. Their are even people here that i don't like or respect but still i like to debate with them now and again. Because sometimes they have some really wonderfull topics.

Another thing that i find important is... I rather be liked by only 1 blogger because of my opinion.. then to be followed by 100's out of fear or plain curiosity.

Offcourse people with low selfesteem would easely mix those 2 up to defend themselves and their own behaviour. Nobody really likes to be confronted with their own weakness and for some this internet stuff is just a way to escape their sad lives. By pretending to be intelectual, by alliances with unpopular and other fake people they get a sense of feeling important while all they really do is create another fake reality. An escape from their pity lives.