dangerousmeta!, the original new mexican miscellany, offering eclectic linkage since 1999.

15.

I have no great epiphanies this year. Fifteen seems a year like any other; it is no remarkable accomplishment. Weblogging is just a thing I do, like breathing. In fact, to call it ‘weblogging’ sounds increasingly pretentious as we move farther from 1999. In the same sort of vein as calling a photo-a-day project a ‘365 project’. These labels are archaic. My work here is an anachronism. Everyone takes multiple photos a day now. Everyone emotes via social channels in machine-gun staccato.

Fifteen years of linkblogging, it feels more and more like I’m the guy who still dresses up to get on an airplane. And complains about ‘them newfangled engines that don’t have propellers.’

I think the distinction between ‘creators’ and ‘linkers’ is a more important classification today. How long you’ve been around doesn’t matter — in today’s short-attention-span theatre, it’s what you’ve done lately. And that revolves around constant, neverending creation. Those who create, who post original stuff, have evergreen traffic. Those who link can be popular, but there are thousands doing the same thing with only minor differences. The brand value of a creator is higher, and longer lasting.

In the contest between doers versus watchers, doers win. Along these lines, my photos get more attention than my blog posts, so I may start doing more photography and deprecating the linkage. It’s just that I’m so damned curious about things. And I enjoy sharing what I find, starting conversations that range widely based on readers’ experience. Every so often, it generates a good story and I’m supremely happy. That’s blog-success. For me, anyway. Engagement. And a bit of learning.

Looking over the upcoming year … our nation is in crisis. How much we can change in just a few short months! We’re largely the same population we were back in the summer, but now charges of racism, chauvinism and worse are getting hurled across the metacosm. Litmus tests over controversies-du-jour are splitting up friends, families. Feels like the ’70’s again: malaise, angry protests, intolerance. Archie Bunker. We find our glass is no longer just half-empty; been fermenting too long. It’s a Dixie cup half-filled with gasoline. Someone else holds the match. That concerns me. Demonization of opponents allows greater evils to gain and sequester power, and the media is spending more time highlighting difference than common cause. Tribes pull inwards, on the defensive. Outrage blinds. Violent protests are playing right into the hands of those who do not have our best interests at heart.

To top it off, I suspect the upcoming Presidential race is going to take advantage of this atmosphere. This is not a post-race, post-feminist society. There are elements who love to fan the flames. Detente or harmony — before election day — is not to their advantage.

Given that, I’m not especially looking forward to my fifth time blogging through a Presidential campaign. When I started blogging, I would have said the effort took courage and stamina. At this particular moment, I say a strong stomach will be required. For my international friends and readers — I apologize for our lunacy in advance. It’s gonna be a weird election season, and you’re going to question everything you think you know about America. The longtime attacks on public education continue to bear fruit, and our newspapers and political candidates are perfect examples of the result.

As for everything else, it’s a cruel, crazy, beautiful world. I’ll keep digging, as I always do. I think of Joyce when I open the blog each morning: “Welcome, O Life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my age.”

Thanks again for listening. Onward.

12/24/14 • 04:46 PM • PersonalWeblogs • (16) Comments

Comments:

Wow, fifteen years! Congratulations and happy anniversary!

Do you think you will keep weblogging another 15 years? wink

Posted by Andrea on 12/24/14 at 07:22 PM

I’d be 70!  I hope we’ve moved to other, better tech than the internet by then.

Posted by Garret P Vreeland on 12/24/14 at 07:28 PM

... and Merry Christmas to you and André!

Posted by Garret P Vreeland on 12/24/14 at 07:30 PM

First, congratulations, Garret. Fifteen years in this age is a monumental achievement. Second, to me linking is creation. It connects, it expands, it adds. What we link to is who we are made visible. It seems fashionable now to act as if we’re all generating reams of original content when in fact most of it is rebranding and repackaging. To me, the best people, like you, point me to the best stuff and add their own when and as appropriate. I love your commentary on your links; even your not saying something says something. I am glad you continue. To me, blowing no smoke here, you exemplify what I wish the Internet was. I know it’s not a la mode, but I think it just the same. No matter what, thanks for what you do. Rock on.

Posted by Will on 12/24/14 at 07:41 PM

It was Rafe Colburn (rc3.org), who convinced me to expand my cryptic one-liners, back when I switched over the Moveable Type (‘03?).  I sometimes imagine a subset of my readers would like to pelt him with tomatoes ...

Posted by Garret P Vreeland on 12/24/14 at 07:52 PM

Deepest thanks from downunder. I think you’ve been my daily startpage forever. I first saw your name on Scripting News and remember an item mentioning why you chose your domain - something about “dangerous” meta-characters in HTML.

We have many parallel interests, but more than that your posts often lead to learning something new. Your enrichment of my life is profound. Thanks again Garret.

Posted by Ralph on 12/24/14 at 11:11 PM

That’s so nice, Ralph. Just to let you know, I do emphasize subjects my readers like, if they let me know.  If I’m not covering some of your fave stuff, let me know - any time.

And like I said above, apologies for the upcoming political mayhem.  I’d like to drive all these candidates to the Outback in a ute and leave ‘em.

Posted by Garret P Vreeland on 12/24/14 at 11:27 PM

Congratulations Garret and dangerousmeta!! Fifteen is a grand achivement. Here’s to the next 15!

Posted by Hal B Rager on 12/25/14 at 03:29 AM

Oops, * achievement*

Posted by Hal B Rager on 12/25/14 at 03:30 AM

Since we’re cooking right now, I’ll go with a-chive-ment!!  Thanks, H.

Posted by Garret P Vreeland on 12/25/14 at 05:12 PM

Garret . . . Congrats on the longevity. I suspect you might still be doing this even if no one was listening (reading), but you should know that I have your blog on my list of “dailies.” I trim them as frequently as possible, but yours remains. I appreciate your instincts and eye. Whether it’s archeology, political commentary, photography . . . I frequently find something fresh and interesting via your own forays. Thank you so much for taking the time to share them with me—and all of us! A fan . . .

Posted by Paul on 12/26/14 at 12:33 AM

Thanks, Paul!  My interests wax and wane, as everyone knows. Archaeology has been fascinating of late, seeing what new items folks have been discovering.  I keep hoping that someone in Alexandria will stumble across Alexander’s tomb. Or lost scrolls from the famous Library.

I’m getting tired of my RSS ‘regulars’ again, and need to mix it up anew.  First thing on my new year’s resolutions ...

Posted by Garret P Vreeland on 12/26/14 at 12:46 AM

Garret, nobody’s boxing you up today mate!

Ralph, where down under? We’re visiting in a few months.

Posted by BillSaysThis on 12/26/14 at 03:07 PM

DM meetup down under?  That would be really cool you guys. If you do it, let me know - I’ll send you my Skype particulars.

Posted by Garret P Vreeland on 12/26/14 at 04:43 PM

Bill…we’re in the sticks, but if you make it to Canberra (the national capital) we can go there easily. We know it well, be glad to show you some highlights.

Posted by Ralph on 12/27/14 at 10:55 AM

I think the closest we’ll get this trip is Sydney—we’re driving from Brisbane, with a few stops along the way. Maybe next trip, we seem to travel to Oz frequently.

Posted by BillSaysThis on 12/27/14 at 04:41 PM

 

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