Wednesday, June 30, 2010

I propose and assert...

...that FaceBook has badly maimed, and possibly killed blogging.  

It has at the very least allowed quantity to usurp the throne of quality.

As evidence, I cite not just my own blog, but that of many of my blogger friends who are also on Facebook.  

Elise: Last updated February 7, 2010
Cindy: Last updated February 11, 2010
Ted: Well, Ted is the exception that makes the rule.  Last updated June 17, 2010. But he had only 2 posts in May, 7 in Arpil, 8 in March, 6 in February, and 18 in January.
Glenn: Well, Glenn gets a pass because is last post on December 29, 2009 was a monster and perhaps should remain forever the last post on that blog.  However - I will add that McKenna is still growing up and there are many more sketches in you my talented friend.
Mr. Blue Meme: Last post, October 17, 2009
Rachel: February 20, 2010
Me: Last post April 4, 2010 - and before that, February 17, 2010.

All of these friends and I used to post often.  And we used to all put a good deal of effort in to our posts.

And yet all of these friends post on FaceBook with great frequency.

This past weekend, I took dozens of photos with my good camera.  I haven't even looked at them yet.  In the past, after such a trip, I would have immediately selected the best, resized them, and incorporated them in to an elaborate blog post about how great the Kate Wolf Festival was.  About how it was a lot of work, sure, but a lot of fun.  And about the great food I cooked that everyone enjoyed.  Greek one night, Itallian the next.  And how everyone contributed in different ways.  And how I always had a great seat because somebody got up early and got our chairs there.  And about Bruce and his wonderful daughter and his Hebrew National hotdogs. And naked people.  And how I talked about McSweeney's with the editor of The Bohemian and she was really cool.  And how the live music in our camp site was often better than the acts on stage.  And how I finally got a cow bell.  And how I bought a Wavy Gravy Fun Pack to send to Travis, but had a few cocktails and just had to open it to try on the red clown nose.  And public showers.  And swimming in the river. And how cool it was to hang out with my mother-in-law's friends.  And how it was great to get away with Rachel.  And thanked Lauren and Paul for giving us some time alone together by watching Jake.  And how my dog's dental bill was more expensive than my own.  And how much I enjoyed a vegan meal at the City of 10,000 Buddhas.  And how I think I got a contact high sitting in the crowd because I could have sworn Wavy Gravy was looking directly in to my soul from back stage while Steve Earle played and he pointed directly at me and said, "You, Eric, shall fill my shoes when I am gone."  And how while walking home one night, I wrote part of a little folk song in my head that went:

I've been wandering around a while
On a life sized map of the world
Looking for a little red dot that says...
You are here.

But all I could muster was pushing a couple of photos and updates to FaceBook from my phone.  And some great writing will never be written.  Well good writing.  Well, good writing for me, anyway.  And some good readin' will never be read.

And I blame all of this on FaceBook.

Thoughts anyone?  Especially my fellow formerly frequent bloggers?