February 21, 2007
Time, time, time. See what's become of me.
In the early days of each season of American Idol, watching the show is akin to incurring closed head trauma, freeing up much time to post. The thoughts behind this one aren't really fully formed yet, but I'm going to go for it anyway given the ample 10 minutes before bed and a lack of quality television. Bear with me.

Just exactly how long are you going to keep this up?

Maybe I should explain myself.

Other than for work, I write only here. And this isn't going to last forever. Remember the man from the days of old-timey radio, who would clunk shoes on the floor to make it seem as if another had come in the room, the man of a million voices and a xylophone and whatever the heck that was that sounded like thunder? What do you think he did when television debuted? I wonder if he hung up his hat, or was relegated with his red stapler to a desk in the damp network basement.

The Internet will see its day, just as the 8-track and the loin cloth did before it. And the blogger will become what the cassette tape was to the 90s: old school and outdated. And although I won't say it won't happen, I am hard pressed to imagine an interactive media so widely consumed that will provide a forum for writers like us. But then again, unlike Mr. Gore, I didn't think up the Internets in the first place.

Along these lines, sometimes I wonder if "professional" bloggers have a backup plan. And not because these folks aren't talented, but because I'm not sure that blogging will ever reach the level of legitimacy that other media, particularly print, have. How many times have you been asked to describe just exactly what dat der blog was? Ever had someone giggle slightly when you detailed just what this is that we pour our heart and souls into day in and day out? That this isn't the making Shrinky Dinks of the writing world, that this is more than just a hobby to you? That, albeit a stretch, maybe this part-time pursuit of yours will persist into the next medium, as the mascara-heavy Guiding Light did 70 years ago? (I heart you, Reva!)

And furthermore, a fit in one medium doesn't necessarily transfer to another (I know someone is thinking of Cher, and I get it, she was a great variety show hostess and a "meh" early 90's singer, but there are as many Joey Lawrences to combat your claim). Do you expect that someday you will just fade away into Blogger or Wordpress obscurity, just as the David Cassidys and Kajagoogoos of the world did before you?

Maybe it's better to bow out gracefully, to leave before the medium becomes obselete, to back up your posts and photos and keep them tucked away next to your senior yearbook to show the grandcats.

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In other news, did I forget anything?

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32 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

It's not nearly that time yet!

There are loads of people who don't know what a blog is... And even more who use the forum hourly to entertain themselves, keep in touch with loved ones, and gather information.

Whether a "professional" or not, the fade into obscurity will not take place for a long time.

It's too bad you canceled your sitemeter account - you'd likely find that you're insight is sought after!

(And if leaving on a high note is one's goal, to that I say: "blegh!" You haven't reached your peak, yet, so don't stop now!)

Blogger Jon said...

I fully expect future generations and/or travelers from outer space to scour through Blogger archives in order to piece together our long-since-forgotten society.

Okay I don't actually believe that. But I'm still going to write about how I got drunk this weekend, just in case.

Blogger Miss Scarlet said...

Will you write MY bio?

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hmm, I don't know. I can see blogging having a long life but never really become respected as a profession such as journalism, etc are.

I like the cats refrence. I just posted a picture of my cat on my blog today. I swear I'm [not] a crazy cat lady.

Blogger Melissavina said...

As Kurt once said:
It's better to burn out than to fade away.

Blogger themikestand said...

Lovely bio, Kris. Just lovely.

And to melissavina (above), I must say:

Umm..Kurt? KURT??!




There. All better.

Blogger I-66 said...

Yes.

You left out the part about being totally hot.

Blogger Heather B. said...

Nope you didn't miss anything. But thanks for making me feel like a slacker! Oh, wait...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, no, no! No bowing out ... don't you dare!

Blogger Carrie M said...

i think blogging is just hitting its stride. the list of bloggers who turned their blogs/experiences from blogging into books is growing by the day. we've got a lot left to give baby! don't give up!

Blogger Jess Riley said...

I too think blogging is just getting rolling...in fact, I feel it has the potential to be even more powerful than traditional media--esp. that which is political in nature.

More personally, I feel that burn-out is the bigger issue; I have to pace myself. Another challenge: the time-consuming wading through dozens blogs to find ones I really connect with or enjoy--such as yours!

Blogger Wavemancali said...

I have to say I disagree. There is something about the written word that is a draw to people. We've had books on tape now for many years, why doesn't everyone just listen to the story rather than read the book?

Blogs are the same thing. I'll continue to read you as long as you stick around. I would venture a guess that anyone else who reads you will do the same.

Blogger Scarlet Hip said...

I'm depressed now. Let's drink.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Think about your comparison for a segundo. You spoke about the legitimacy of print.

What, then, is this?

It may be back lit and worse for your eyes, my dear, but it certainly is print.

At least it is to me.

I don't think that this is going to fade away. Certainly the eight-track and the cassette had their day, but print has been around for a long time, and a lot of people spoke about it's number being up many a time.

Blogging is just the amalgamation of print and the E. And you, sweet mama, are some kind of high-ranking sargeant in this war on boredom. :)

J

Blogger Reid said...

Yeah, what Jorge said.

The cassette and 8-track went away, but music didn't. Blogging is just writing with a different name. But if "blogs" go away, people who enjoy writing will still find a way to do it. What the end of "blogging" may get rid of is the people who think of the blog first and the writing second. And good riddance.

Blogger Mike Balogh said...

I think reid and others, made a very important point – your stuff is good writing regardless of the medium. I think Print is probably more threatened by blogging than the other way around. From what I’ve seen in the current environment there is whole lot of writing and not a lot of reading going on, but I think eventually the cream will rise to the top – and I am sure you’ll be up there still writing while the medium transforms into whatever it transforms into next.

Blogger egan said...

I had no idea you didn't like potty humor. I have noted this.

You're right, blogging will disappear someday. Perhaps it's got another 3-5 years in popularity and then I would guess it will be rare to learn about someone else who blogs. I still have a tough time finding bloggers in real life. Who knows what will happen though.

Blogger Marissa said...

I've had the same thought a few times, too. But it doesn't seem the Internet, or blogging craze, is going anywhere anytime soon. So, while it's still hot, I say, so are we. Keep at it, Kris because you make me laugh hysterically (and clearly, it's all about me ;)).

Blogger c said...

Will you kindly get out of my brain, please? I am so with you. I giggle a bit whenever I hear or read "professional blogger". It's just a little bit silly, I think. You'll notice that my own material has been getting thinner and thinner; there's a reason for it which I'm not going to divulge here. Let's just say that *I* don't want to be a "professional blogger".

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting observation. I hope we have quite a bit of time left, because I enjoy the blogging world. I guess it all depends on what the alternative will be...what the "next wave" will be after this one. I'm looking forward to finding out. :)

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think the cream will rise to the top, and I think blogging won't go away -- but the way it's perceived will. I work a ton with the media for my job, and all our clients are absolutely paying attention to what bloggers say. We think of it as 'citizen internet', and a much more niche-y way to get a message across...or just tell a story.

Blogger Gwen said...

Blogging will probably evolve, like other mediums. And if nothing else, it's a record of YOUR life, for YOU.

I heard on NPR the other day that more and more people are writing novels and fewer and fewer are reading them (and no, I can't give you the actual numbers). Which is weird, right? But I think it has something to do with blogging, with everyone and their words thinking maybe they can do more with those stories than just share them with 2 (for me) or 500 (for you) friends. I don't know how I feel about this. There's something somewhat narcissistic about the desire to be published (not the desire to write; those are two different animals); I mean MORE narcissistic than blogging, if that seems possible. My mother, after reading my blog, will say to me, "Why don't you write professionally?" (which, bizarrely is what she's been saying my whole life, not, "be a doctor! be a lawyer!" no, it's "Be a starving artist!") and I reply that I am not a writer and she'll come back with: "well, you could even be writing copy for a JC Penney catalog", and I'm like, "What? What?!?!? So being published in any forum is the most important thing?"

Not that there's anything wrong with writing for JC Penney, ahem.

And I want to hear more about the PhD program ....

Blogger Gaby Hess said...

Blogs are like are like the new and improved versions of micro fiche. Sure, there may not be a lot of use for them in the future, but it's the hot thing to do now. Why give it up just yet?

Blogger Gwen said...

Did I sound like an ass? I didn't meant to. I think if anyone wants to write the next great American novel, go for it! Yay for you! You rock! I just find it curious that so many people want to write and not so many people want to read. That is all.

Now, if I could get paid for reading, I'd be set.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

As usual I am late to the dinner party...I've only just started but have been readin you for a while.
Hpefully it won't come to an end anytime soon, as I truly enjoy reading your site.

Blogger Sizzle said...

dude, you are totally harshing my mellow.

Blogger M@ said...

A lot of younger kids (teens and EARLY twenties) think that blogging is already passe and favor sites like My Space, which I think is corny.

They're in it for the social networking and they can't write. Writers will always write.

Blogger yournamehere said...

I enjoy blogging, but it is to writing what glueing macaroni to cardboard is to art.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Topic One: Blogging will evolve. It's just writing in a public forum. People like to write and they like to share and they like to make communities with each other. It will change, but it won't go away. (The MySpacers will think were so totally eight-tracking it, though...)

Topic Two: Love the bio, but on a purely techie note, the style is off on your bio page from the other Indieblogger pages -- it could be all those <font> tags you're using...

Blogger kris said...

Holy crap, where in the Hades did those tags come from??? Did I fix the damn thing? My head is still reeling from the the html ...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

It looks much better now... :-)

Blogger kris said...

Seriously, where did all those freaking tags come from? Stupid blog gremlins . . .

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