Blogiversary
A little more than a year ago, I started my blog, with my first entry being one of my favorite quotes:
"The world of computer communications, however, has turned out to be the great equalizer. Suddenly anyone can become a publisher, reporter, or editorialist. What's more, each of us has as good a chance of being heard as anyone else in the electronic community."
Mike Godwin
[(in case it isn't clear, I'm quoting this very ironically)]
One year later, the main thing I think I can say, is that I have a deeper yet appreciation for the meaning of the phrase "some are more equal than others".
There's always going to be a journalistic pyramid. In any shake-up, some people will find niches in those walls, some people will do well as guides, and a very very few will be high on top. Everyone has an equal chance of winning the lottery too, but only a few people will do so.
I've had a handful of slightly successful posts. But overall, I'm way down at the bottom of the pyramid, and probably will remain so. In general, I've thought there's no use saying what everyone else is saying, I'm not well-positioned to compete in the journalist niche. On the other hand, I'm nowhere near as prominent as necessary for many people to have any interest in my thoughts as a pure commentator. In retrospect, I'm not sure blogging really works for me. I'm not planning to stop tomorrow. But it's another weight on my mind.
By Seth Finkelstein | posted in cyberblather | on September 13, 2003 11:59 PM (Infothought permalink) | Followups
Hi Seth
I don’t think we have ever directly communicated. I have been reading your posts and articles for years and your blog for the last several months. It is as much part of my info search daily ritual as anything else. Your work has been a “vital” qualitative source on the Internet filtering issues of which you are not only a pioneer but also one of the strongest voices “out there”. I for one have appreciated it. You appear to be very “brought down” about the quantitative aspect of your work. I hope you get over that. I hope you do not quit. It may be a “celebrity culture” but you don’t have to go there. It’s also a Jerry Springer culture and I’m certain you wouldn’t go there.
In my own personal experience as an educator in Early Childhood Education I performed my finest work and believe me the pay was lousy, recognition nonexistent and in the education totem pole Early Childhood Education is somewhere around the bottom or the basement. Yet, it was as important an achievement if not the most important of my life.
The point is that it is not the numbers that matter but the quality of the numbers what has been achieved. It is my opinion that you have reached a lot of the “right people” and that is the point.
I personally disagree with much of your stance, your premises, and your attitudes but that is allowed. Others may agree with you. The important thing is you are there crystallizing the issues. I appreciate that. By all means take a beat, re-evaluate but please do NOT quit.
Best Regards
Bob Turner