Revitalized

  Feb 24, 2004

As far as I'm concerned, there are basically two types of weblogs; 1) the ones that distill and refine information about a given topic, and perhaps add commentary to it, and thereby provide a one-stop place for information, and perhaps discussion, about that topic, and 2) the kind that log the web, whatever might be occuring on it, adding their own personal commentary to it.

Those are pretty broad definitions, I'm sure you'll agree. My problem is that I'm having a hard time choosing between the two. This specific weblog-thing I'm doing right here can't possibly be or become the first kind. That's just plain impossible without basically alienating all of my current visitors. The problem with the second kind is the pointlessness about it. Alone, a weblog like that is just an echo-chamber, but together with all the others like it, they're an interesting phenomenon.

Very interesting things happen on the web, occasionally. Like, right now, the most interesting thing is probably the ordeal with "The Grey Album". This is highly interesting stuff; it's got all the exciting ingredients, and then some more, to make it a big internet-happening worthy of attention: it's underground-ish, it's internet-ish, copyright-ish, anti-big-record-label-ish and fight-the-power-ish. I'm sure you can think of more.

Ok, so great, exciting things are happening on the internet. Great. This gives me the opportunity to take part in this whole underground alternative information-wants-to-be-free you-can't-stop-us-all deal. So why haven't I turned my weblog into grey? Why ain't I sharing The Grey Album like the cool kids are?

Well, as far as the album is concerned, I'd be glad to do it, but I doubt my help is needed. Really. I mean the album must be all over the P2P networks, torrent-sites and god-knows-what by now. The mission is already accomplished so why bother, you know, joining the revolution? That'd just be sad.

As for Andy Baio, however; I fucking applaud you. You're a god damn hero. I mean that, I'm not being ironic here, kids. Notice the lack of smileys.

I'm not that big on hiphop, but the album everybody is talking about is the best fucking hiphop I've ever heard, track number three, especially.

It's ironic, isn't it? That echo-chamber thing I was talking about? This is it. Every god damn weblog is talking about The Grey Album, mine included. What's more ironic is that this was going to be my "The End" post. This was going to be the last post I'd ever post. This was going to be where I declare that I couldn't be the first type of weblog I was talking about, and I sure as hell don't want to be the second kind, either.

As I wrote these words down, however, I realized that I had some sort of contributive complex, and I've now realized that I don't have to contribute at all. That doesn't mean that I will stop weblogging, nor that I will start pulling these heroic fucking stunts like Andy Baio is doing, but rather that I'll go on doing what I've been doing; aimless commentary. Writing just to write, as long as someone will read it. For reasons I can't fathom, a lot of people are.

It's kind of funny, I guess. In my search for a purpose to this weblogging-thing, I found that it doesn't need one. Classic. This, of course, calls for a redesign. I think I'm getting a new layout, too.

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Comments

  1. [sv]Hurra![/sv]

    I have been thinking if I need to focus on one type of writing or commentary on my blog. Or at least separate it into three parts: one essay type, one snippet and just pure links. The links are already separated, but not snippets from the longer texts.

    Perhaps I should spend some effort writing interesting texts instead.

    Comment by David Pettersson at 23:59, 24 Feb, 2004 #

  2. That's one hell of a compliment. Thank you.

    Anyway, I think most of my favorite weblogs, yours included, fall into a blurry third category: those who write about whatever interests them, and they're usually timely with a unique perspective and strong voice.

    And, more importantly, my favorite bloggers only write when they have something original to add, whether it's a new link or an interesting comment. You do both well, whether you think so or not.

    Comment by Andy Baio at 01:31, 25 Feb, 2004 #

  3. Andy said that there are weblogs with a "unique perspective and strong voice" and those that "have something original to add". I believe these two descriptions apply very strongly to your weblog Tomas.

    Your painstakingly crafted entries deliver well-reasoned viewpoints succinctly, logically, and interestingly. Your message is informed; it generates discussion, but is no mere talking point. Your voice stands apart from Echo Chamber's Sine wave of festering commanility.

    Write about whatever takes your fancy. Avoid the DayPop Top40 stuff yes -- find new unexplored avenues of interest when you will -- but be careful to avoid setting too-restrictive a rule-set for what you can and cannot examine.

    'The End'? I surely hope not.

    Comment by Ryan at 08:23, 25 Feb, 2004 #

  4. With readers like you guys, how could I possibly quit? Thank you.

    Comment by Tomas at 09:24, 25 Feb, 2004 #

  5. Give yourself some room. I think most of us come to a brick wall like this once and a while. The answer isn't to stop, but pause. And it certainly nothing a delicious iced latte couldn't help cure. *wink*

    Comment by Greg at 23:13, 25 Feb, 2004 #

The discussion has been closed on this entry. Thanks to everybody who participated.