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We are three adults living in a polyamorous triad family. The content here is intended for an adult audience. If you are not an adult, please leave now.

10/18/2009

Is Blogging Dead?

More and more, we wonder if there is some major shift afoot in the blogging world. It seems that there are fewer and fewer posts from our regular circle of neighbors -- as if everyone has become overwhelmed with life, or perhaps has run out of things to say, or perhaps people just wandered off to engage in other forms of on-line community.

Maybe, all those that used to hang out here, making keyword searches, and pushing our numbers up, have decided that life is better and more interesting on Fetlife or Twitter or Facebook or Ning. Definitely, interacting on all of those venues is way different than our nice, normally sedate little blog.

Really. Nothing exciting happens here most days. We live and love and work and take care of our various responsibilities. We seem to have a habit of being civil with those we come in contact with (mostly), and so the increasingly common practice of working to incite battles and flame wars is difficult for us to understand.

Twitter seems inane. Fetlife goes by too quickly and there is far too much mean spirited nonsense. I tend to keep this part of my life separate from my Facebook personna -- where I engage with my children, my cousins, and my colleagues. And Ning? It seems the same only different, perhaps a bit more edgy, but ultimately dull -- how many pussys and cocks can a person look at and still get a charge?

I notice that there is some online discussion of whether the blog is a dead medium; following in the same course as the once ubiquitous listserv. If not dead, perhaps moribund? Old fashioned and outdated? No longer "hawt?" Maybe so...

But here's the thing -- I like this place. It has come to be "mine." I've left my stamp all over it. It documents so many roads traveled, so many lessons learned, so many insights gained. Through all of that, there have been friends made here, and they are people who are steadfast and thoughtful. They don't follow along here like worshippers at some exotic shrine; they participate with kindness and gentleness and honesty. Whatever I or we might come to need, I believe that we've made friends "out there" who would do their level best to take care of it. I have often thought of this place as akin to an online living room; a place where good neighbors gather to partake of one another's lives. Truly, as things have shifted in these last days, I am finding that I have a deep appreciation for those who drop by here and leave a word now and then.

Perhaps the days of multiple hundreds of hits have come and gone. Perhaps the days when there was hardly enough time to read all the new posts around the circle are at an end. I am guessing that we've grown up together in these years. That feels just fine to me. I am so glad for the good neighbors who share this environment with us. So, tonight, here's a thank you for all the friends and neighbors we've gained over these many years.

swan

9 comments:

  1. What a wonderful description, the online living room. i am honoured to be one of your neighbours.

    I do think some bloggers, you included, bring out the best in your readers, letting us show the attributes you mention: kindness, gentleness, honesty.

    And I love the barn raising picture. You have indeed built something here. And I think that perhaps we have all contributed to a community here, in the same way that earlier neighbours would have participated in a barn raising or a quilting bee.

    I love the thoughtfulness of your blog and I hope you don't decide anytime soon that the blog is dead.

    sin

    sin

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  2. You know I've always loved the visual of an online living room, where friends drop in for a chat, or even just to sit and listen for a while. Like you, and including you, I've made some wonderful friends here....friends who have proved loyal and thoughtful and who I truly value.

    I like what you say about us having 'grown up' together. I think that's true. Many of us have reached a place where the stats no longer matter. In truth, I'm far happier with the numbers these days than I was when they bigger. Back to the online living room.....its nice to know who's dropped by, and you can't always do that if you're in a giant ballroom!!

    You have a wonderfully comfy living room, and sitting on the sofa here is relaxing and restorative. Bless you dear friend.

    love and hugs xxx

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  3. I know what you mean swan. That's also why I like coming here and reading (been lurking for a while).

    I agree with the other posters who wrote they too appreciated the visual you painted of your cyber living room.

    mouse

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  4. skips into your living room carrying a cup of steaming coffee and my toast.. (ok ok it's breakfast time around here) .. finds my favourite chair and snuggles in for a bit......


    yeah i rather like your analogy of the online living room as well and thankfully most guests are well mannered with some social skills :)

    i would hate to think that blogging is passe.. or in its death throws.... i would like to think that those that have staying power will be around for a long long time..... even if the number of posts per week get smaller..

    i know after a few years of blogging i am finding it harder to find topics to discuss.. but i do enjoy my blogging time.. (must be the frustrated writer in me)

    (lifts steaming cup of coffee)
    here's to us bloggers who are in it for the long run !!

    morningstar (owned by Warren)

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  5. The idea of an online living room was right on. It's always nice to stop in and visit bloggers and see how their lives are going.

    And I think that blogging is alive as well. Maybe your hits are down because there are more bloggers sharing a piece of the pie.

    And your read remains very interesting.

    FD

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  6. Welcome, all! This is precisely the response that I so love about this place... that those who have attached to us (and we to them) feel comfortable and welcome here no matter what we might be up to at the moment. I so appreciate each of you and the fine "structure" we've built together with our hearts. I am so very glad to know you each one.

    swan

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  7. I love knowing that there are places where I know I am safe in the bloggy world. And I have always felt safe here. I thank you for that.

    I've been thinking a great deal about my own blog entry from last January 15th. And how very much the health of your family has improved since then. It will soon be time to bring out the Christmas decorations again, but I guess it's safe to take that tree down now! And for that, I give thanks and rejoice.

    Tapestry

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  8. Ahhhh.... the tree.
    Yes, Tapestry -- it is safe to take the trees down now. Thank you for the thought.

    hugs, swan

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  9. Impish19:43 PM

    Just checking in from out of town...I, too, love the living room concept, and and the words and thoughts of those I've met around your table have made me a richer and wiser person. It's is such a welcoming place...

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