[Dean's World] Dean: After Consideration: I Refuse To Change

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dean:
After Consideration: I Refuse To Change
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1169688159.shtml


   In the ancient days of blogging--say, 4 years ago--it was obvious: the
   best thing about blogging was that you were dealing with real people
   writing what they honestly thought. Usually spontaneously, sometimes
   embarrassingly. But they were being themselves, and utterly honest to
   that.

   What I've noticed about blogging lately is an ongoing effort to get
   more and more attention based on how well the blog serves a chosen
   audience: A Conservative. A Liberal. A Marxist. A Democrat. A
   Republican. A Feminist. An Anti-Feminist. A car nut. A rock freak. A
   movie reviewer. A Libertarian. Whatever.

   Not that it's wrong to try to serve a specific audience. It has its
   place. But to me, if it's not about real people writing about what
   they honestly think and see and experience, it too easily slips into
   the old media game. "Serving a niche" is easy; being utterly true to
   yourself and the world as you experience it is often much harder.

   Trying to change the world around you and really make a difference
   despite being utterly yourself is harder still. But usually worth the
   effort. Just ask Anna Quindlen or Gareth Jones or Mark Twain.

   I'll never quit. I hope my friends won't either. Sorry if I sometimes
   get self-indulgent on the matter.