A Helpful Pamphlet
JR, at L'homme qui marche, made a fantastic discovery last week. It's a link to a magnificent Fifties-style parody of the Helpful Hints booklets that were ubiquitous before television. "What Everyone Should Know About Blog Depression." It spoofs the self-importance that it's hard for any blogger to avoid entirely. After all, blogging is in part a performance, especially for those of us who post at least one substantial entry a day. Nobody but Jason Kottke is getting paid to blog, and that only makes warm appreciation more important. I deserve warm appreciation, don't I?
The pamphlet reminds one over and over again that blogging is "an undertaking which was totally voluntary and which does not directly contribute to his or her continued survival on this, our plant earth." This is true only in the narrowest, most technical sense. Most bloggers really need to blog, or they give it up. Some bloggers really need to a good job, because readers are important to their continued survival on this, our planet earth. Believe me!
But of course this neediness is never supposed to show; it queers the pleasure on both sides.....
Continue reading about "Blog Depression" at Miss Gostrey's Guide.
¶ The Loose Links feature has migrated permanently to Miss Gostrey's Guide. Checkez-y.
