Tuesday, July 19, 2011

De blogustibus

Many bloggers seem to be getting out of the business these days, and John Hawkins has written an article about the shrinking of the dextrosphere.

Hawkins’ points seem valid, but, really, so what? They are more pertinent to bloggers who dreamed of becoming the next Instapundit than to a lot (possibly the majority) of us who got involved because it seemed to be a fun thing to do. I think success depends on what the blogger wants to accomplish. Those who expected to seriously monetize their blogs have largely been disappointed because there are simply too many bloggers focusing on the same content, and the market for paid philosopher kings, however elegant and witty their prose, however singular and attractive their style, is extremely limited. For the same reason, bloggers who wanted to have a significant impact on public policy, and were willing to provide advice for free, have been frustrated in their aims – I mean, let’s face it: very few of us are Andrew Breitbart, and genuinely original content – i.e., content that your own participation and personal investigatory efforts create – is beyond the reach of most of us.

I started a blog for one reason, and one reason only: Tim Blair closed his old personal blog site. I began commenting over there in – what, 2005, 2006? The interaction with other commenters was highly entertaining, and I got much-needed practice in writing comic fiction. When Tim went with the Daily Telegraph, I started Paco Enterprises, mainly as an outlet for my desire to continue doing creative writing. The press of work and family issues has cut into the time I have for doing purely imaginative writing, plus the times have grown perilous with the advent of Obamanism, so my posts have grown shorter and more topical; there is more emphasis on politics, and even though my blog occasionally resembles a link dump – as I’ve said before, like Instapundit without the traffic – hundreds or perhaps thousands of small fry such as I might still be of some service in getting the message out (call it the “cloud of gnats” theory of political blogging: if there are enough of us out there buzzing around, we’re bound to annoy the right people every now and then).

But getting the message out, for me, has always been secondary to maintaining the close-knit relationship I have with my small circle of regular readers. Since I am, for the most part, of sunny disposition, it is highly gratifying to me to be able to make people laugh from time to time – whether it is one person or ten – and I am pleased that my blog has enabled me to do so. And I have frequently profited from my interaction with my cyber friends: from learning of authors who were previously unknown to me, to experiencing the pleasure of meeting several readers in person, to (perhaps most spectacularly) finding someone to publish my future book (or, if I’m lucky, books).

So, whether my blogging has made a difference to anyone else or not, it has made a huge difference to me, and I’ll be here for the foreseeable future. God willin’ an’ the crick don’t rise.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

You go brother Paco. You've inspired me to start my own blog. Here's a hint... The Masters of Deceit (Our little library/wet bar)

richard mcenroe said...

Your blogging influences people, Paco. We're glad to have it.

Steve Burri said...

I figure that Paco and I are like internet cockroaches. Even after an Obamatomic attack we will still be at it.

RebeccaH said...

Here's to having your blog around for a very long time, Paco. It's one of my daily visits, and I'd be lost without it.

Brett L said...

I'm glad you're here. It wouldn't be the same without a certain amount of Pacquismo on a regular basis.

JeffS said...

Stick around, Paco; you're a decent read!

Nashville Beat said...

I will join the chorus of approbation. I was a fan of your comments when you and your mates frolicked about on Tim's blog. I was OCONUS at the time and you did a lot to assuage my homesickness. Now, your blog and comments are like a comfortable and good humored conversation with good friends. Persevere! They also serve who only stand and deliver . . . humor with wisdom at its core. And your fiction is pretty good, too.

Paco said...

Steve: Good analogy. Whoa! Is that a bread crumb I see over there? skitter-skitter-skitter...

Paco said...

I discovered this evening that the first comment above is from my actual little brother. Look forward to seeing your blog, bro! And step aside, Koch brothers!

Steve Burri said...

Mom!!! You know better'n turning the lights on while I'm blogging in the basement! skitter-skitter-skitter...

Merilyn said...

Yep enjoy coming here to read your blog,all the way from Australia, like the people here to. Just keep it going Paco.

Anonymous said...

Paco, I believe I can say you write my favorite blog. You inspired me to try my hand at this (tho mine is different in focus, content, and talent) and I will stick with it - and with you. It's fun, it's entertaining, it's introduced me to things previously unknown and people I still haven't met but find some comfort in having as online friends. I can't imagine my Life without it. Or you!

Boy on a bike said...

Stick to it. I enjoy reading your blog daily, even if it is upside down.

bruce said...

I confess to having been an impatient hothead commenter on Blair's early open blogs, picking fights with everyone and crudely sockpuppeting them rather than take time to debate (I reckon I was the first to sockpuppet - almost 10 years ago it just wasn't done to imitate another commenter).

Paco's blog has taught me civility.

rinardman said...

God willin’ an’ the crick don’t rise.

Careful, Paco, your sloping forehead is showing.

Paco's blog has taught me civility.

Well, I should hope. Paco Enterprises is nothing, if not genteel and civil, with just a touch of irreverence, and a little laissez-faire thrown in.

All the things you could expect in a Paco administration, come 2012.
No arugula and wagyu steak on his menu!

*

carpefraise said...

Awwwwwwww, Paco!!

The blogosphere without your efforts would be one Pallid Anaemic
Collection of Onanism...

so for heaven's sake keep going!
:)

Oh, and here's a link to keep you open-mouthed:
www.kitmanTV.blogspot.com
Lot of docos about JIhad and Leftism.

missred said...

you are among my must reads daily and i am glad you are here. you and kae actually inspired me to set up on my own (although i was an original contributor at tizona)
like prairie cat, though, i don't even try to imitate you

wv:ingen - you are the engine that keeps me going! (wow! talk about some serious cow-towing)

missred said...

oh and it was nice to have lunch with you - back in another lifetime!

Anonymous said...

We, the hardy band of refugees, would not have gladly followed such a character for lo these many years, were it not for all you provide. Perish the thought of a day without you and PE. We understand the importance of family, and all the other time contraints. Please add my voice to the chorus of wishes for many, many more years. Here's to (raising a glass of only the finest Sumerian meade, of course) to Paco!

Yojimbo said...

Who, or what, is this Tim Blair you speak of?

Col. Milquetoast said...

Really, it’s simple: Get big or go home.

or blog for your own amusement.

You've done really well. Not only have you kept blogging but it's also blogging actually worth reading. Unlike some Blairite diaspora whose blogging is sporadic, inconsistent or nonexistent (coughs loudly and gestures wildly towards wronwright to try to draw attention away from myself)

Minicapt said...

http://thinkexist.com/quotation/never_look_at_the_trombones-it_only_encourages/150834.html
... as a former trombonist ...

Cheers

mojo said...

Non disputandum est

Yojimbo said...

Certainly can't argue with that, Mojo