Thursday, March 02, 2006

Hmm, an idea

A Post That's NOT About The Baby
*************************************

I was just blog-cruising and happened to check gapingvoid.com. Here's the post that got me thinking:


"Jon Husband, of "Wirearchy" fame made an
interesting point recently in the gapingvoid comments:
Blogging will get
much more *local* in the next few years, in my opinion, in a range of
interesting ways, and then one of the questions will be how to get global
microbrands to become more effective and responsive on the local level and in
local ways.
This issue may become, for blogging, the equivalent of the
*centralization / decentralization* pendulum swing issue that larger
organizations continually re-visit as their markets or the org's capabilities
change.
Watch for geo-localization of tags."

I admit I don't understand some of the jargon, but I think the basic idea is that bloggers so far have enjoyed the possibility (and the hubris) of reaching readers around the world. It's a thrill: "I got a comment from someone in Holland!"
But in the real world, those people close to you are more relevant than people you'll never meet.

So what if I have a strong political opinion, or a great idea, or a bushel too many potatoes in this years' crop--what good is posting it in a comment on a blog out of Huston?
And, isn't it easier to be 'vocal' (read: "obnoxious") if I won't ever have to see the people I've offended?
Does my liberal opinion make ANY difference in Vancouver or London?
And WHO will take those damn potatoes??

(As a proud Minnesota blogger, I do have the "wow" factor of showing snowstorm pictures to people in Panama, and of course, my charming northwoods humor to share...but that gets me...where?)

Now, if blogs were mostly local--say, 10-15 people within 50 miles of here--all contributing to one blog, then no one would need to write everyday, and ideas could be built rather than flung.
Opinions would evolve.
Surpluses could be easily shared.
There would be respect among the contributors because they know each other in real time, off the 'net.
Local issues could be brought up and discussed to death.
Shoot, blogs could sponsor local softball teams!

If your 'community' consists of 10 people scattered around the globe, that's cool. It's truly fun, but by definition, it's limited.
On the other hand, if it consists of 10 people close-by, there's a shared sensibility and auto-respect built in, I think. (If not, that person gets booted).

Hmmm, have you ever been in a play? The thrill of what you accomplish TOGETHER is ephemeral, and much greater than any one actor or stage-hand or crew member. Local people come to see it, and when it's over, it's gone.....but the glow lasts, and the community is tighter for it.

Something I've wanted to do here is form a mixed choir. Not religious based, not for competition, just for fun. I've talked to a HS choir director, but it never happened. Maybe I could lobby on a local blog?

Anyway, the idea's planted now, in me at least. Let's see if I can make it grow.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:29 PM

    http://www.spebsqsa.org/web/groups/public/documents/pages/pub_id_039965.hcsp


    kinda like this?

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOL...not at ALL like that!
    (A song or two in Barbershop-style could be a part of it though, I suppose...lol)
    Seems like the only mixed choruses around here are church or High School or WAY too serious...I'm just looking for fun.

    This local blog would need a catchy name, too: since the towns around here are mostly "Saint" something,
    ya think LitanyofSaintsblog would be too much?

    Ok, ok.....I'm accepting other suggestions....

    ReplyDelete

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