My local newspaper is covering South by Southwest, not because it's a hip-happening publication. I suspect it's the buzz factor – many of the staffers are plugged in to that scene – and the fact that it's a mere three hours down I-35 to Austin. Today's recap talked about some of the blogging sessions, with the opening paragraph citing some cyberpundits' declarations that blogging is dead.
Only those who don't understand what blogging means to us normal* people can make such a statement. The author of Time Goes By is quoted about the trend for elderly computer users being able to connect with the outside world through blogging. For some of us not quite to AARP age, it's that same human connection (some say voyeurism) that appeals to us.
Blogging can add a dimension to an otherwise full life. It can fill gaps where connection doesn't exist. It can be a comfort, a venting of the mindspleen, a cathartic journey to healing. It can also be a total waste of time, a popularity contest and a way to try on a new persona for which there are fewer consequences than if we made drastic changes in the walking world. Sometimes worlds collide, as when blogging gets people fired. Or if family and friends not meant to see our words stumble onto our site (for me, I try not to write anything I'd regret my mother seeing). Blogs are just a part of the blogger – the part we choose to share. But it can still be a real, genuine thing.
Blogging in some ways also represents the new journalism, or at least the new muckrakers. Although it's too easy to question credibility when sources aren't well-documented. The skeptical editor in me – you know, the one with a journalism degree and 10 years of newspaper and advertising experience – reads news blogs with veritable buckets of salt. Published news from mainstream sources should be taken the same way.
But you know all of this, Internet friend.
I invented something the other day, but it's something I'm sure already exists. I'm just not aware of the hip, cool word for it. Basically, if your own blogroll starts to seem too familiar and you want to venture out, go to one of your favorite blogs and scroll through its blogroll. It could be called "roll hopping," "list sharing," "jellyrolling" or something like that. I jellyrolled a few of my favorite reads and found a wealth of fun stuff. But then I started to smell, and decided soap and water was in order. And I was hungry!
What I really love are the Blogspot blogs that use the Blogspot comments, especially the ones with verification codes. I have become a much better typist having to key in things like "eerqeyll" and "bnvccceu" over and over!
Don't let the geeks – you know, the ones with 10-year-old blogs that don't make much sense or foster any sense of endearment – tell you your blog is worthless. If you like it, embrace it. Keep on blogging!
*Normal people are those who have jobs that don't allow them to jet off to Austin for South by Southwest. :-)
Hahaha, I think the term "jellyroll" is perfect. And makes me hungry!
Whenever I have the time (rare nowadays), I try to go in search of new blogs. It's always fun to see what's new and fresh out there.
I've jellyrolled before, and I was surprised to discover that the blogging community is not as far-reaching as I thought it was. Or perhaps that was just coincidence and I am running into the "popular" bloggers. At any rate, I love blogging and reading the thoughts of others as well. It just makes the mundane seem so interesting, I can't explain it. Perhaps good writers have an awful lot to do with that...?
I just wrote a blog about the verification codes yesterday. They are often so difficult to reproduce.
I'm terribly jealous that you are covering that event. Sigh, thank goodness for blogs that allow me to live vicariously through them.
Oh and now I want a jellyroll. Thanks ;)
As a newbie, I'm terribly disappointed to hear that blogging is dead. But, that's how I usually do these things. I wait until the bandwagon is halfway down the road before I jump on it anyway. And, yes, yes, yes, blogging is so much a mixture of exhibitionism and voyeurism that I simply can't get enough of it. (I may need a cold shower now.)
Jellyrolling may be my favorite sport. It's certainly in the top three.
"...venting of mindspleen"....
Oh that's choice!
Blogging was bound to suffer some backwash.
So, who do you think will be....TA DA!...(cue the eerie music)
Whaaahaaaa haaaaa....
The Last Blog Standing
I wish I could be a little LESS normal and be able to jet off to SXSW this week - especially to see the Pretenders on Saturday. I'm jealous that you are only 3 hours away - Lubbock is a miserable 6 hours from Austin, sigh.
Blogging "dead"?! BAH!!
Glad you stopped by, and that I have now found another wonderful Texas blogger! I'll be back! ;)