On Blogging-- Some Meta-Commentary

Someone linked to a story on Politico and the high pressure there leading to journalist burnout much sooner than traditional journalism (read: newspapers.) I won't link to it here, because it wasn't very interesting or new stuff. It took it as more "See? Newspapers were better!"

You know what? Here you go. Like a good citizen of the free market, I'll let you choose for yourself.

You done? Okay.




How this pertains to myself:


I have mentioned once or twice before that although I began blogging for the same reason I began tweeting: to see what all the ruckus was about. Later when I really had something I wanted to talk about, the vote on the new stadium at UNT, I used this outlet for just that. After that, at various times I have either not cared too much for blogging, or had too little time for it, or just really did not have anything interesting to say. You can find evidence of this in the archives to your left. Scroll through some of those summer months and notice the scarcity of postings, and quality postings at that.

Well, at various times  I have also attempted to really make an effort with this thing. I tried building a readership by sticking to a particular point of view and spinning off other topics. As always I either lose interest or get distracted.

I suppose it is like dieting and exercising. Most people rollercoaster their way through it all. Very few do the things necessary to achieve and maintain their stated goals.

I sucks to think that I could be that fat guy that is always trying to lose weight but effs it up with a binge every so often.

I also is kind of scary to think of the time and dedication required of the most 'successful' sites. Which brings me to another thought: The term 'blog' is overused. For example: Gizmodo. It is, and has always been referred to as a blog. Is it though? Sure it uses the same format as early weblogs, and the style of writing is informal and somewhat personal like weblogs, but I that probably is the answer right there. It uses elements of weblogs -- those personal logs that people wrote and write -- but only in its presentation. It is more of a 'zine than anything.

The only reason I bring it up at all is that I was thinking about how sites get grouped together. I think this is more of a blog. Lumping this crap together with deadspin and The Big Lead is ridiculous.

Anyway, I know that this post was a rambler, so I'll mercifully end it here. I have to go to work and walk the dogs anyway.