During the last Gen X 40 rewards program event at The Nines in Ithaca, I mentioned to one loyal reader the burden on blogging - based largely on the expectation I have set up to be a regular writer. Yet I am amazed how this blog morphs and how these days, for example only, there is much more pie and sport than politics. If I had an interest in regular writing as well as an illustration of what I have been interested in over a certain period of time, it is an excellent device.
But there is so much that is dopey about blogging, the two-dimensionality of discourse...two-dimensions if we are lucky...as well as the poverty of the writing. This spring I noticed a lot of good writers quitting. Other crappier bloggers are devolving to paste and one line commenting more and more. Comment makers are content to repeat the same dense labels and dopey slanders without connection to events or even ideas. So much is a waste, though plenty still is not. No one talks much about the blogosphere any more as some sort of "other space" - as this guy learned. Some day this will all go away with it. But for now it is still fun.
Comments
cm - June 21, 2006 10:11 AM
Really, when it comes down to it, there's already enough politics out there and not nearly enough pie; and I don't even like coconut.
Ben - June 21, 2006 10:41 AM
I want to blog more but giving that I spend all day at work writing and web-updating I rarely have the energy and desire to follow through on my mid-day ideas.
On an unrelated note, I work beside a soccer-loving guy from Syracuse who is a beer and Dinosaur BBQ fanatic. He's also a comic book guy, having worked for Marvel for numerous years.
Flea - June 21, 2006 12:06 PM
Not to worry, Alan. You can always get your news from the networks.
Alan - June 21, 2006 12:20 PM
Yes, I could move from a service that gets 99% of it right to amateurs who get it about 27% right.
ry - June 21, 2006 2:17 PM
Yeah, let's move away from politics. Culture is much more interesting anyways.
And don't let the blog become an attention 'money pit'. It's supposed to be a hobby you enjoy. More beer. More culture. More sports. More talk about how crappy it was that The Beat had to go by The English Beat in the US and stuff. More pie(Herr Flea handles the cheescake.).
Just have fun. Put up something serious if you have something serious to say, but don't feel pressured to. This is a hobby you're supposed to enjoy doing. Don't let it become a monkey on the back. Don't let this take away from the kidlets either.
Alan - June 21, 2006 2:21 PM
I really meant that politics are dull right now but your point is right - beer is better.
Flea - June 21, 2006 2:46 PM
"Yes, I could move from a service that gets 99% of it right to amateurs who get it about 27% right."
Or you could just make up statistics to assuage that bitter taste in your mouth. Mmm. Statistics!
Alan - June 21, 2006 6:10 PM
At least mine are indicative. [Mine are always indicative.] You seem to think you can get news from the idle cheesemakers and office clerks who blog, much in the way that David gets his best information on the fiscal realities facing terrorists from consulting engineers.
David Janes - June 21, 2006 6:36 PM
Huh? When did I become the bad guy?
<img src="http://ucsub.colorado.edu/~benderm/images/bender%20drinking%202.GIF">
gr - June 21, 2006 6:48 PM
Who the heck is ry? I feel like I have a twin out there, and we were seperated at birth! More beer, baseball, and The (English) Beat, amen.
As for the wild side of culture, Flea often has the bikini links, for which we are all grateful, but for a real walk on the wild side, has anyone looked at Flea's myspace link? Whew, Flea is................multi-dimensional, you could say.
Alan - June 21, 2006 6:59 PM
Did I forget to send you the bad guy kit with instructions? My fault entirely.
ry - June 22, 2006 8:06 AM
Like I said, gr, Herr Flea provides the cheesecake. Gothic cheesecake, but cheesecake non-the-lesser. And tunes.
cm - June 22, 2006 8:32 AM
I am not going to click Flea's MySpace link...I am not going to click Flea's MySpace link...at least not until I'm sufficiently caffeinated.
gr - June 22, 2006 8:56 AM
Take a deep breath, cm, and tighten your seatbelt. Use a crash helmet if you have to. Have you noticed the people who visit Flea's spot? I have a feeling that pictures of Alan's regulars (US!) would look a little ....tame in comparison?
Alan - June 22, 2006 9:15 AM
I like to think of the Flea's time here as something between a visit to the guidance counsellor and a great-aunt, a little time out from all his other activities.
cm - June 22, 2006 10:01 AM
I myself have only visited Flea's once or twice. I'm apprehensive about spending too much time there.
Alan - June 22, 2006 10:11 AM
Speaking of the moronic ideas that are floating around and grabbed by fools on the internet, here is a fun test that will help you confirm Ann Coulter is actually a Hitlerian in her use of language...which, of course, means she is a socialist.
cm - June 22, 2006 9:09 PM
I just tried listening to an interview she did on Boston radio. Couldn't finish it.