Writing As One Without Authority

May 2, 2008

Every now and then I peak at Technorati, the king-maker of the blog world. A long time ago I signed up Old Roads so that it would show up on the service.. and perhaps have subjects appear on keyword searches. Every return trip to Technorati reminds me of why I never spend much time there: the use of "fans" or popularity as a gauge for ranking blogs is inane. In fact, this way of conceptualizing the blog world leads to a kind of enforced ephemerality as everyone is chasing round and round to be the first to say something snarky or spot something hot. Equally depressing are the top searches, more evidence that blogs for the most part serve as an extension of popular culture.

My model for blogging is far more inward looking than the ones that make the Top 100 Blogs list on Technorati. The blog does not have to be a space for instant comments on the latest celebrity or political events. It can also serve as a vehicle for reflection and measured thought. Or, as I like to think of these posts: reviews that come too late. That is, too late for the pulsing crowd of up-to-the-minute news hounds.. but perhaps just right for people who operate in a longer time frame. At Old Roads we strive for the longest possible time frame.. and don't worry about being first or last.