It’s true, blogs are on their way out, in a way. AI is snapping up many of the creative jobs, and TikTok and podcasts seem to have become the cornerstone of consumer content. The Internet is also a scarier place for those who offer real insight into their lives; what we put out there lives on indefinitely, and who knows how our information might be used?
So with all those deterrents, why choose to engage in writing a blog? That’s an easy one for me to answer: Because I miss them. I miss the 2000s, when we’d go home from school and post updates for our friends and classmates to see and maybe even reply to–completely free of self-consciousness. These posts were not meticulously designed to curate a following or entice sponsors. They were simply another way for communities of people to express themselves and connect with one another. Somewhere along the way, honest folks found that they could make a living writing blogs, and for a while I think that was a lovely thing. Sadly, the blogsphere was soon infiltrated by greed and over-production and exploitation, which we know tends to lead to a decline in authenticity and quality, as well as very real harm to those who had been dependent upon it for a living. (Is it just me, or are the jobs available to those with various limitations such as health or childcare needs being disproportionately targeted? A conversation for another day, perhaps.) An unfortunate byproduct of this reality is that self-expression is edged out unless it can fit within a branded mold. You want something real, something that was written by a human, something that is not immune to depression or COVID-19 or whatever else–look no further. The blog experts say to find your niche so as to garner a loyal audience. Well, I’m too much for one niche, and I sure as shit hope you are too.
It’s also worth mentioning that reading requires more commitment than listening or watching, and therefore more engagement. In a way, it is a mindful activity, and as such it can be soothing (though there are definitely exceptions). I also find myself overstimulated by quick-clip videos and excessive scrolling, and I imagine there are others out here in the wild who feel similarly. That said, I want to acknowledge the accessibility limitations: For some, listening is not only preferable but necessary. (I hope that by keeping the style of this blog simple, it translates to easier accessibility for read-aloud apps; if it does not, please let me know!)