I know that's kind of an odd title for a blog post, but it's true. I miss being able to sit down and actually write, instead of posting a photo of some half naked man or regurgitating some internet meme I've run across. I miss being able to properly express myself in regards to current events without sounding like old news. And most of all I miss the sense of community those early years of blogging afforded.
The loss of community became abundantly clear a few days ago when I realized I hadn't uploaded any photos to my Flickr account since our trip to Atlanta last spring. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to upload; it's just that Flickr had dropped off my radar, supplanted by the ease of uploading and the instant gratification of Instagram. (I'm convinced that if Instagram let you post photos directly from your desktop device Flickr would close up shop because of the ungodly mess it has become.)
But I digress.
For shits-n-giggles, I started looking at the list of Flickr members I followed. A disturbing (although not surprising—based on my Instagram observation) trend I noticed was that a majority of the people I followed had not uploaded anything to Flickr not just in months, but in years. Names and faces I used to converse with regularly and counted as friends came flooding back—along with the realization that we had totally lost contact with each other in the years that have transpired.
I fear the malaise that seems to be overtaking a once-vibrant blogging community actually comes from the internet itself. Through the availability of instant gratification and equally instant dismissal of anything that doesn't pique my interest, I seem to have developed the attention span of a gnat. Getting me to sit and read anything that spans more than one or two pages is a major undertaking. Click, swipe, click, swipe. I can't stay focused long enough to read 1000 words; how do you expect me to write that many?
Additionally, I've reached the point where I don't seem to have anything unique to add to the ongoing conversations regarding events in our world. So many others have already voiced my opinions more eloquently and succinctly than I could ever have hoped, and cutting and pasting their quotes seems so much easier than attempting to say the same thing in a slightly different way.
I am very thankful to those of you who still come around and occasionally drop comments, but even if my readership dropped to zero I doubt I could ever close down Voenix Rising and give up blogging altogether like so many others have done. After all, it was through this blogging thing that I met Ben—and even though I feel I don't have much to add to the conversation right now, when I do, I still want a place available where I can.
I kept it up for years, writing every day, sometimes twice. At first, it was cathartic, but then I felt so exposed… and empty, like a purse emptied out on the floor. Everything of any interest about me is on the pages of my blog… and I am somewhat of a shell. It's exhilarating at first, but draining. And it gets harder to come up with something to say. I did meet some amazing people through my blog though.
I hope you will continue to write and blog for many many years.
I'm in *exactly* the same boat. I started my blog during the last (painful) years of the Dubya administration, out of frustration. I blogged like a demon, both real writing, and passing along pieces of interest. I was very prolific (and linked some stuff from you a few times), blogging almost daily for years. I'd even get "babysitters" to fill in if I went away.
I dropped weekends first. I'd skip days here and there. And I'd almost always feel guilty about it, and post mea culpas when I skipped. Then I moved across the country, and took a work sabbatical…and even with all of this time on my hands, I blog less and less often.
Like you, my attention is fractured. I can't watch TV or a movie without my computer or my phone (or both). I absorb information in chunks and bites, all internet ADD. I still comment on posts, and tweet and post things from Facebook to my Twitter, and various other ways. But when it comes to blogging, I've *almost* given it up. But again, like you, I can't drop it entirely. I still drop a few brain nuggets, and even a fairly good, meaty post every week or so. I have no intention of shuttering my blog, but I just can't seem to get revved up about doing it regularly anymore. You think it's the way of things?
In any event, I greatly appreciate your blog. I check it fairly often, and if there's nothing new, I don't worry about it. I come back another time. I very much enjoy your sense of humor, and you eye for the fellas (particularly the sneaky shots!). So, be aware, even if you skip several days or even weeks, people will still come looking, and still appreciate what you DO get up there. Maybe *that* will be the way of things for hobbyist bloggers. Occasional brain droppings, appreciated by a small core group? It's better than nothing!
Thanks for the blog, I enjoy it. —Jamie
I found you and your blog, around seven years ago. Now, all these years later I still look forward to what you will post next. I only visit a few blogs these days. PORNCAKE is my other favorite. It is a photo delight with vintage pics of the Los Angeles area with some hot men mixed in. I have said this to you before and I will say it again, we adore you and Ben. M and G
You probably noted that I haven't posted anything on Blogger of Flickr for quite some time. In fact, I've been thinking of permanently axing the blog for a while now. And gawd knows I totally abandoned FaceFuck a long, long time ago. The main reason is Five Eyes, and I'm not talking about the herb here! The Wiki will sort it for you.
I question my value as a blogger, too. I struggle for things to say, and tried to quit. But I couldn't. Like you, I miss the community of bloggers, and if and when I have something to say, I want a place to say it.
As long as you post anything, I'll keep coming back 🙂
Yours is one of the few blogs that I read anymore. Almost all the rest have stopped.