What now?
Now that I actually have a couple spare minutes to write (and breathe, and trust me, it’s getting harder and harder to do that lately), I’m thinking about what I want out of this blog.
Not a lot of people understand the concept of blogging, just like not a lot of people get why anyone would ever want a webcam. I see blogging as a democratized form of media; it’s a way for people to express their views in their own way. I’ve always thought that collectively that’s a very powerful resource… potentially, at least.
So. Basically, I’m a 20-year-old college kid from Maine. On the surface, I probably seem like I don’t have much to offer; same as the 14-year-old from Colorado or the 28-year-old single mom from Florida or England. And to tell you the truth, I don’t – so far, at least. Blogging started as a way to log the web (flip it around and whaddya got, blog!), and it slowly/quickly turned into a phenomenon of people talking about their pets, their life, and how they like to walk in the rain.
I for one don’t think there should be some arbitrary standard for blogs; some personal day-by-day blogs are really great to read. On the other hand, I think the age-old standard of “here’s a link and here’s what I think about it” has its place. I think something’s missing from that, though.
I propose that blogging should be used to convey one’s area of expertise. In a way, that’s how it started; people “good at” the Web would talk about the best of what was out there. One of my favorite blogs – one from a guy I might meet in November named Larry – is a great example of how blogging can be extended into a new realm. After a while, it turns into an archive of first-person knowledge. Lessig undoubtedly has one of the most recognized names and occupations in the Internet/new media industry, but I truly feel that value from a blog can come from a much more diverse crowd. Think of Iraq citizens and American journalists blogging from Iraq. Think of teachers and graduate students talking about what they’re doing for work. Think of a student who is trying to learn about a world that’s changing every day.
Should I be like Larry? Why try? I don’t by any stretch of the imagination have a large audience. I doubt many people are interested in hearing from a Maine college student. On top of all that, I know some readers don’t like long posts. Or maybe, just maybe – [gasp] – people might disagree with me on something. Half the time anyone says anything about my blog it’s just making fun of some stupid thing I said on here.
I’m starting to realize more and more, though, that I don’t blog for readers. Blogging is an online journal in the strange nature of online communication. Writing has always comforted me, and it’s always given me an outlet to express what I feel. In some cases, I’m alone in that. In some cases, I have some pretty unpopular views. I don’t think that should stop me, though, and that’s what makes blogging wonderful. I have ideas. I have views. Not everything in my life will be posted here, but I think a fair amount could be of some use to someone, someday. I’ll face facts; I’ve been holding back. I’d love to do a “column” about what’s going on at UMaine, or about what I think about some legislation or something. It’s a lot easier, though, to put up something about the Red Sox than the latest challenge to the DMCA.
I’ll still have some fun/stupid posts, but I want to throw in a lot of analysis or pure ideas, too. And from now on, if you don’t agree, post a comment or e-mail me. Democracy isn’t just about hearing different views from different people; it’s about sharing ideas and, sometimes, starting a debate and stumbling through a gray area.
Hi. I’m Justin Russell. I work at ASAP Media Services, I’m working on the Pool as an independent study, I go to college at UMaine, I love photography, and I have about 10 projects I’m starting to work on for myself. Who knows, maybe I’m the next Larry – but nobody ever will know if I don’t say anything.
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