I write this blog mostly for myself, though it’s great to have people join in and create conversations.
“But there’s also a part of writing, of online writing particularly, blogging, that’s all the humble without the security, that’s full of risk, that’s vulnerable even if what you’re saying isn’t necessarily personal or deeply meaningful or anything you or anyone else even really cares about. This thing we do, blogging, is crazy. Really. What a trip, what a concept, what an experience. It’s a place where the public share is instant and your little words can tromp their way across the world before you have time to regret it.”—Annie Mueller
I highly recommend reading all of Annie’s blog post — it’s just a blog (thanks to Euan Semple and Chris Corrigan for highlighting Annie’s work)
There are a lot fewer comments and conversations on this blog than there used to be, as people have moved to consumer social media platforms like LinkedIn and have conversations there. The last comment to this blog was posted on LinkedIn as well as here, which was a nice touch (thank you Beth).
Joan Westenburg has noticed this recently and said that ‘indie’ creators need to build their own platforms.
“Relying on someone else’s platform means that creators are subject to the ever-changing algorithms that dictate visibility and reach. The algorithms are designed to prioritize content that keeps users engaged and on the platform, rather than necessarily rewarding quality or creativity. Meaning that creators are constantly chasing the algorithm, trying to crack the code and optimize their content for maximum visibility, to the detriment of their message, their identity and their purpose. It’s an exhausting and often futile endeavor, as the algorithms can change at any moment, leaving creators scrambling to adapt.” —the creator economy trap
This reflects my own recommendations calling blogs — social media’s home base — in 2009. As Joan says, “Building your own platform is undoubtedly harder than relying on someone else’s”. I can completely agree after twenty years of building this platform. The algorithms are against us, as well as the suppression of RSS.
As I said at the beginning, I blog for myself. I think that is the only way to keep at it. Blogging is not a business model. It’s a form of expression that suits certain people. I just happen to be one.
Well said Harold. My brother, who has a blog, says the same. We had to counsel my mother on this when she decided to blog for a while – if it’s not for yourself, it’s for no one.
This comment is not from LinkedIn ;-) I am revolted by the forsaking of web spaces of one’s own for the convenience or the allure of attention that people seem to measure themselves by.
Thanks for keeping the flame alive.
I have to say I get tremendous value of social bookmarking on pinboard, no network effect, but I mark stuff daily for my own recall and I have an array of ifttt, zapper, and my new joy make.com gizmos that share stuff automatically based on tags.
Keep the blog light on.
Thank you Steve & Alan. This is what keeps me going :)
I’m commenting just to keep you going and to let you know that I mostly consume your work through RSS. I still think that is a great vehicle.
Thanks, Brian. I agree, RSS is a great way to organize blogs and news sites. It’s also why I publish a full feed and not a truncated one, which would force readers to visit my site.
Just writing this to let you know that I too am reading this through RSS, and I appreciate it. I believe that blogging needs to be reinvented somehow, like if there was a way to read and comment from a native app. Almost like a Reddit but each channel a personal site.
The ‘reinvention’ of blogging I am seeing is people writing on Substack, Medium, or some other privately controlled platform. The easiest option is the one most taken.