This morning I'm thinking about the structure of most of our cultural groups, how similar that structure is to our solar system. There's a dad and mom (sun and moon) with kids revolving around the central pair. Or there's the CEO and CFO, with employees revolving around. In school there is a teacher with students revolving around. When you go to hear music, there is either a conductor or a lead singer with musicians revolving around. I could go on, but you get the picture.
Here on the internets, there is no solar influence, no central pillar around which we all revolve. This situation - blogging I mean (but also within other cyber societies) - is a level playing field. Astonishing, isn't it? This really is unprecedented.
And yes I know there are blogs that get thousands of hits per day and others that only get a handful, but that's not the point. What is significant is that we don't all look for guidance and direction to one blogger, not any of us. I think that's why the trend of giving blog awards has faded over time (or maybe it's still going on elsewhere in the blog realm but I just don't know about it). There is no BEST among us. We have no central star. We're all stars here.
Here there is no bright light that sustains all the rest of us, no center of gravity that we all revolve around. Here in the blog realm we are truly experiencing the Age of Aquarius, the age in which the idea of a big hero who will save us no longer makes sense. Each of us puts into the blogosphere what we can and what we want. Others read us or don't. All together we are a star-spangled constellation of egalitarian participation.
Isn't it fabulous to be a part of this? I think so, I really really do! Bravo!!
26 comments:
I take some sort of strange encouragement from this, Reya. Having not grown (or shrunk) in followers for some time now, I have often wondered what I was doing wrong (or right). Maybe it's neither. Maybe I need to be satisfied with my existence and my contribution. Much like you seem to be. Thanks for the guidance, and for the compelling post. EFH
You're doing everything right, Expat.
You know, you're exactly right. I never thought of blogging in this particular light before. It really is amazing, isn't it? I've often wondered what will happen with blogging in future years.
Yes! Truly Aquarian. Love it.
Twitter people have told me they think blogging is "quaint." Isn't that funny?
Willow, I've noticed that originally, mainstream journalists totally rejected blogging and bloggers, describing us as "self-indulgent," and such.
Now blogs are noted and quoted in big newspapers. But it's all still unfolding. It will be fun to watch, see what happens.
Just my sentiments also. This field feels democratic and fair. Each blog is unique and particular. What I love is to discover those singular voices out there, and to dialogue with those who warm my heart every time I visit.
Thanks for the warmth, Reya.
hello girl,
yes, it's wonderful indeed to be a member of the blogging community.
BTW, you know my Mom from her old blog listen 2 auntie. She closed her blog and now lets ME blog.
heh heh
I am coco diva dog.
x
I didn't really imagine that I would have an audience when I started to blog. I just wanted to write my stories down. Surprise. I feel that I am part of a very interesting, positive and diverse community. There is a remarkably good vibe in this constellation, and you are one of it's shining stars.
yeah. righteous! thank you for your lovely lovely LOVELY words and pictures and wisdom and inspiration. oh and i loved that pic of you, the self portrait one. beautiful you. i love being a part of the bloggie world. xxx j
Yes! I totally agree!
It's kind of like the cyber-backyard fence---we see who has the cup of whatever we need and share accordingly. We sit, tappity tapping our wishes, thoughts and dreams, and somewhere, we connect with the peoson who needs to hear it. Pretty cool, if you ask me :-)
freeing thought, that!
Very interesting observations, Reya! I never thought about the blogosphere becoming increasingly decentralized, but I think you're right -- I don't see blog awards much anymore, and it seems like we're all just plugging away on our own merits. The essence of democracy, right? The voice of the people! The marketplace of ideas! :)
Amen, Sistah! And not only do we put out in the blogosphere what we can and what we want, we take from others what we can and want we want. This free flowing exchange of thoughts and experiences is exciting.
I am so glad to be here. Thanks for holding my hand. Blessings.
Love the new header!
that's a rockin' header reya! i love the blogosphere for its spreading of good thoughts, good feelings, good ideas and by "good" i mean real and from the heart and not always happy or happy making but always good. i've learned so much from your writing and your photographs reya and it has shown up in my own blog and life in ways that may not be apparent to all but which are really clear and fine to me. have a lovely dc evening. steven
YES Ronda and Steven (and all) we are here showing each other the people's version of life right now in the 21st century. And YES we take from each other as is proper and fitting, and let go of the rest.
I am so grateful for this forum and for all of you. Bravo and brava!!
Ronda I will hold your hand any day!
Hi Reya
I love where your mind wanders...
that is a very interesting discussion...and maybe that is a reason why blogging is appealing to us the writers - there is no hierarchy, no CEO, there are no directives...other than our own inclinations...
and another anomaly with blogging is that in the main we tend to aim for remaining positive in outlook, we don't stick our heads in the sand but neither do we focus on the darker or negative elements of life...which we can find elsewhere in the papers on the news...if we want...
Happy days
I rather like the stars in my neighborhood.
Funny how I consider people from all over the world to be in my neighborhood.
Your are so right Reya.
Seems like we all carve out our little nesting place in the blogosphere, and it's great fun to go out exploring from there.
I like the new header, but hope it's OK if I go on thinking of you as After the Gold Puppy. (I can't quite let go of that.)
You are so right and its amazing how many of us have unconsciously been drawn to these level playing fields.
PS - "quaint" playing fields
:-)
i've been lurking for a while, and just wanted to let you know how much i enjoy your blog! Thanks for sharing your stories and thoughts.
i like it. floating around following inspiration. mm..inspiration might be the sun we all cycle around.
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