Rageboy Rides Again
See today's RB. The Great Ranter at his best.
See today's RB. The Great Ranter at his best.
Thursday, February 28, 2002
Arrival and Comeuppance
You know you've arrived when AKM Adam critiques you in his blog (one of the best damn blogs on the Web, by the way). He applies a slight (I hope it's only slight) rap on the knuckles in referring to my post of Feb. 21:
"[Tom's] suggestion that the 'true self, in my view, is created as a conscious act of existential will,' sounds a lot less convincing. My true self includes a mountain of stuff that I didn't choose, and some of what I did choose (much of it in the 70's--say no more) I would like to think doesn't express the truest dimensions of my self."
Ouch! When Adam speaks, I listen. Clearly, I was careless in my choice of words. I shouldn't have said "true self." But "authentic self" wouldn't have worked either. As Adam notes:
"Tom's version begins to sound a little Promethean, a little Ayn-Rand-ish, a little of the dangerous part of Heideggerian (what Adorno scathed him for in The Jargon of Authenticity)."
(John Dvorak, please note the absence of kiss-up). Adam continues . . .
"Some of what is truest about us is more or less bred in the bone, and some of who we are depends on the material conditions under which we live. However much we may wish that we were altogether our own creation, a big, powerful, inexorable world of contingencies exerts its claims on us every time."
You nailed it, Adam. Clearly, our existence is a never-ending dance between autonomy and determinism. Had I been more careful with my words, I would have said that we need to exercise responsibility for that part of authenticity that's available to us, and that, if we do that, something can emerge that might not have been predictable. I see blogging as having the potential to facilitate that--which is one of the things that makes it so exciting.
So, instead of "true self," perhaps I should have said "more vibrant self." Would that get me off the hook?
You know you've arrived when AKM Adam critiques you in his blog (one of the best damn blogs on the Web, by the way). He applies a slight (I hope it's only slight) rap on the knuckles in referring to my post of Feb. 21:
"[Tom's] suggestion that the 'true self, in my view, is created as a conscious act of existential will,' sounds a lot less convincing. My true self includes a mountain of stuff that I didn't choose, and some of what I did choose (much of it in the 70's--say no more) I would like to think doesn't express the truest dimensions of my self."
Ouch! When Adam speaks, I listen. Clearly, I was careless in my choice of words. I shouldn't have said "true self." But "authentic self" wouldn't have worked either. As Adam notes:
"Tom's version begins to sound a little Promethean, a little Ayn-Rand-ish, a little of the dangerous part of Heideggerian (what Adorno scathed him for in The Jargon of Authenticity)."
(John Dvorak, please note the absence of kiss-up). Adam continues . . .
"Some of what is truest about us is more or less bred in the bone, and some of who we are depends on the material conditions under which we live. However much we may wish that we were altogether our own creation, a big, powerful, inexorable world of contingencies exerts its claims on us every time."
You nailed it, Adam. Clearly, our existence is a never-ending dance between autonomy and determinism. Had I been more careful with my words, I would have said that we need to exercise responsibility for that part of authenticity that's available to us, and that, if we do that, something can emerge that might not have been predictable. I see blogging as having the potential to facilitate that--which is one of the things that makes it so exciting.
So, instead of "true self," perhaps I should have said "more vibrant self." Would that get me off the hook?
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Why Blogs Matter: Two Examples
As Dave Rogers notes today:
"There has been such a flurry of writing about blogs lately that I can't keep up. I even admit to not even caring to keep up. Enough is enough.
With that off my chest, there's still more to say!"
Guess I'm guilty of being swept up in the flurry. Part of me says, "Shut up,already! Change the subject." But as Dave suggests, the urge won't die. When something is opening up a new world of possibilities, as blogging seems to be doing, how can you not communicate about it? I'm so glad Dave recognizes that, despite his weariness.
OK, so here are two wonderful examples of why I think blogging matters:
First, there's the informative explanation of copyright law, provided by Denise Howell in Gonzo Engaged, and again in a later post. How much do you think this would have set you back in legal fees? But Denise, God bless her, and other generous, seemingly inexaustible contributors are enriching us with their commitment to the blogging world.
My other example is David Weinberger, who blogged in entertaining detail his experiences at the Technology, Entertainment, and Design Conference just concluded in Monterey. Thanks to David, we were able to be almost virtual attendees at this interesting affair.
Just to supplement and conclude this. I want to note the outstanding piece on blogging by journalist Andrew Sullivan. Acknowledgemnts to Tom Matrullo in Kottke.org for steering me to it, and for putting in some excellent views of his own on blogging.
How I love getting steered here and there by such sharp observers! How much my universe has expanded since getting into blogging. And this is only the beginning.
Was it Chris Locke who said or quoted, "It makes you fall in love with the world all over again." I'm going to see if I can find that full quote and blog it.
As Dave Rogers notes today:
"There has been such a flurry of writing about blogs lately that I can't keep up. I even admit to not even caring to keep up. Enough is enough.
With that off my chest, there's still more to say!"
Guess I'm guilty of being swept up in the flurry. Part of me says, "Shut up,already! Change the subject." But as Dave suggests, the urge won't die. When something is opening up a new world of possibilities, as blogging seems to be doing, how can you not communicate about it? I'm so glad Dave recognizes that, despite his weariness.
OK, so here are two wonderful examples of why I think blogging matters:
First, there's the informative explanation of copyright law, provided by Denise Howell in Gonzo Engaged, and again in a later post. How much do you think this would have set you back in legal fees? But Denise, God bless her, and other generous, seemingly inexaustible contributors are enriching us with their commitment to the blogging world.
My other example is David Weinberger, who blogged in entertaining detail his experiences at the Technology, Entertainment, and Design Conference just concluded in Monterey. Thanks to David, we were able to be almost virtual attendees at this interesting affair.
Just to supplement and conclude this. I want to note the outstanding piece on blogging by journalist Andrew Sullivan. Acknowledgemnts to Tom Matrullo in Kottke.org for steering me to it, and for putting in some excellent views of his own on blogging.
How I love getting steered here and there by such sharp observers! How much my universe has expanded since getting into blogging. And this is only the beginning.
Was it Chris Locke who said or quoted, "It makes you fall in love with the world all over again." I'm going to see if I can find that full quote and blog it.
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
More PC Fun
Looks like the discussion in PC Mag that I recommended earlier has hit a snag. This keeps getting more entertaining by the hour.
Looks like the discussion in PC Mag that I recommended earlier has hit a snag. This keeps getting more entertaining by the hour.
Thanks, but . . .
I know that cross-blogging's the norm among dedicated bloggers, but I'm feeling a bit giddy from getting mentions in Weinberger, Sessum, Norlin, and Paynter right off the bat. Thanks, guys, but I'm a bit worried. What if Dvorak finds out and jumps on it as a validation that we're all just a bunch of mutual ass-kissers?
I know that cross-blogging's the norm among dedicated bloggers, but I'm feeling a bit giddy from getting mentions in Weinberger, Sessum, Norlin, and Paynter right off the bat. Thanks, guys, but I'm a bit worried. What if Dvorak finds out and jumps on it as a validation that we're all just a bunch of mutual ass-kissers?
Lesson Learned
Unable to blog on Sunday and Monday. All the code disappeared from my template and no one at Pyra was able to help me solve the problem. Had to re-write the whole sucker. Good thing it's a new blog. Hope Blogger isn't going to turn out to be too buggy. Maybe I should go to the pro version?
Anyway, it's what I get for not backing up the template.
Unable to blog on Sunday and Monday. All the code disappeared from my template and no one at Pyra was able to help me solve the problem. Had to re-write the whole sucker. Good thing it's a new blog. Hope Blogger isn't going to turn out to be too buggy. Maybe I should go to the pro version?
Anyway, it's what I get for not backing up the template.
Monday, February 25, 2002
Blasting Blogging
John Dvorak has upped the ante on the blogging discussion with his latest article in PC. While the article is primarily a screed against The Cluetrain Manifesto, he gets in some extremely lame licks on the blogging phenmenon.
I have no interest in pushing his piece here, but the spirited discussion which directly follows it is definitely worth a visit. Plenty of witty commentary has been popping up all over bloggerdom--that alleged wasteland of amateurish drivel that Dvorak pretends to know something about.
Cults? He wouldn' t know one if it kicked him in the ass, which I wish one would. You may be full of shit, John, but we owe you for providing us with such an opportunity to have fun.
2/23/2002
Acknowledgements, Continued
Regarding blogging inspiration, I need to acknowledge a couple of additional sources. First, the team bloggers at Reading Gonzo - - Engaged, a group blog that provides stimulating back-and-forth at its best. Additional kudos to Jeneane for putting it together and anchoring it. Are you two people, Jeneane? Such energy!
Nor do I want to forget Eric Norlin--perhaps a touch off the edge of the sanity scale, but, like Rageboy, crazy in all the right ways. Eric was one of my entrees into the universe of blogging. One day while surfing a few months ago, I came across a link to Titanic Deck Chair Rearrangement Corporation. How could you resist a link with a name like that?
After a visit, I started following his blog. From there, it was inevitable that I would end up with Gonzo and all the wonderful Locke-o-philes who put out some of the best blogs on the virtual planet. So thanks, Eric, for ushering me into this world.
We're not hearing as much from Eric these days. His CEOing has overtaken the blogging. More power to you, Eric. Feed your family and pay the staff. But we do miss your rants.
[2/23/2002
Pride Goeth Before the Fall
My wife Jill, a crackerjack psychotherapist, says Michele Kwan should have been seeing a sports psychologist.
"It's folly to try to do it all by yourself," Jill says.
Judging from Michele's disappointing performance, I'd say you're right, honey
[2/21/2002
Here Goes
I've been fussing around for two weeks trying to start this blog. There's no way to start it except to start it. So here I go. After all, David Weinberger, who's probably my biggest source of inspiration for this undertaking, has as the motto for his blog, "let's just see how it goes," which would suggest that he felt a twinge of doubt when he started out.
And look how David's turned out! Not that I'm in his league, of course. If mine should turn out to be one-tenth as good as Dr. W's, I would be thrilled. The point is, if you want to start a blog, just start it--and pick up the pieces later.
I've been fantasizing about putting together the perfect essay for an opening piece. Bullshit! If there's going to be a good piece, it will come when it comes. In the meantime, there's struggling with creating a new self--an expanded self. That's what I've concluded blogging--good blogging--is primarily about.
Acknowledging Jeneane
The possibility for creating a new self through blogging was opened up for me by Jeneane Sessum, who is my other primary source of inspiration. She and Dr. Weinberger had an exchange on this, which I presume got opened up when Dr.W asserted that "We are writing ourselves into existence on the Web. Together." This statement has since acquired a touch of renown and cachet--deservedly so--as a lot of blogs have been picking up on it.
But it was Jeneane--a fabulous writer who goes straight to the soul--who really made it possible for me to see the opportunity for self-expansion that lay ahead if I would take the plunge into serious blogging. She was also incredibly gracious and supportive in responding to my fan email. As was David. Thanks so much guys.
David's been shepherding a fabulous thread on voice and authenticity, which I won't attempt to recount--but here's a link to one of David's recapitulations. These discussions (is "discussion" the right word? "Blogthreading?" Do we need a new word?) . . .
Anyway, David and his amazing "threadmates" have precipitated my thinking quite a bit about the subject of inventing the self. "Inventing the self" sounds at first blush like an act of vanity and deception--the antithesis of authenticity. I would assert that inventing the self is a supreme act of personal responsibility. You're either creating it and putting it out there or you're operating at default self--i.e., without authenticity.
Default self is the sum of all that one has been. We tend to see this as what the self is, and it leaves us locked in to what we were. But true self, in my view, is created as a conscious act of existential will. And that's what I see as the promise of blogging. It feels uncomfortable at this point, but I'd really be down on myself if I didn't take it on. I may experience discomfort, but I sure as hell experience a lot more Aliveness when I'm wrestling with this attempt at self-creation.
Jeneane has examined this phenomenon with far more clarity and written about it far more movingly than I could. Check her out.
John Dvorak has upped the ante on the blogging discussion with his latest article in PC. While the article is primarily a screed against The Cluetrain Manifesto, he gets in some extremely lame licks on the blogging phenmenon.
I have no interest in pushing his piece here, but the spirited discussion which directly follows it is definitely worth a visit. Plenty of witty commentary has been popping up all over bloggerdom--that alleged wasteland of amateurish drivel that Dvorak pretends to know something about.
Cults? He wouldn' t know one if it kicked him in the ass, which I wish one would. You may be full of shit, John, but we owe you for providing us with such an opportunity to have fun.
2/23/2002
Acknowledgements, Continued
Regarding blogging inspiration, I need to acknowledge a couple of additional sources. First, the team bloggers at Reading Gonzo - - Engaged, a group blog that provides stimulating back-and-forth at its best. Additional kudos to Jeneane for putting it together and anchoring it. Are you two people, Jeneane? Such energy!
Nor do I want to forget Eric Norlin--perhaps a touch off the edge of the sanity scale, but, like Rageboy, crazy in all the right ways. Eric was one of my entrees into the universe of blogging. One day while surfing a few months ago, I came across a link to Titanic Deck Chair Rearrangement Corporation. How could you resist a link with a name like that?
After a visit, I started following his blog. From there, it was inevitable that I would end up with Gonzo and all the wonderful Locke-o-philes who put out some of the best blogs on the virtual planet. So thanks, Eric, for ushering me into this world.
We're not hearing as much from Eric these days. His CEOing has overtaken the blogging. More power to you, Eric. Feed your family and pay the staff. But we do miss your rants.
[2/23/2002
Pride Goeth Before the Fall
My wife Jill, a crackerjack psychotherapist, says Michele Kwan should have been seeing a sports psychologist.
"It's folly to try to do it all by yourself," Jill says.
Judging from Michele's disappointing performance, I'd say you're right, honey
[2/21/2002
Here Goes
I've been fussing around for two weeks trying to start this blog. There's no way to start it except to start it. So here I go. After all, David Weinberger, who's probably my biggest source of inspiration for this undertaking, has as the motto for his blog, "let's just see how it goes," which would suggest that he felt a twinge of doubt when he started out.
And look how David's turned out! Not that I'm in his league, of course. If mine should turn out to be one-tenth as good as Dr. W's, I would be thrilled. The point is, if you want to start a blog, just start it--and pick up the pieces later.
I've been fantasizing about putting together the perfect essay for an opening piece. Bullshit! If there's going to be a good piece, it will come when it comes. In the meantime, there's struggling with creating a new self--an expanded self. That's what I've concluded blogging--good blogging--is primarily about.
Acknowledging Jeneane
The possibility for creating a new self through blogging was opened up for me by Jeneane Sessum, who is my other primary source of inspiration. She and Dr. Weinberger had an exchange on this, which I presume got opened up when Dr.W asserted that "We are writing ourselves into existence on the Web. Together." This statement has since acquired a touch of renown and cachet--deservedly so--as a lot of blogs have been picking up on it.
But it was Jeneane--a fabulous writer who goes straight to the soul--who really made it possible for me to see the opportunity for self-expansion that lay ahead if I would take the plunge into serious blogging. She was also incredibly gracious and supportive in responding to my fan email. As was David. Thanks so much guys.
David's been shepherding a fabulous thread on voice and authenticity, which I won't attempt to recount--but here's a link to one of David's recapitulations. These discussions (is "discussion" the right word? "Blogthreading?" Do we need a new word?) . . .
Anyway, David and his amazing "threadmates" have precipitated my thinking quite a bit about the subject of inventing the self. "Inventing the self" sounds at first blush like an act of vanity and deception--the antithesis of authenticity. I would assert that inventing the self is a supreme act of personal responsibility. You're either creating it and putting it out there or you're operating at default self--i.e., without authenticity.
Default self is the sum of all that one has been. We tend to see this as what the self is, and it leaves us locked in to what we were. But true self, in my view, is created as a conscious act of existential will. And that's what I see as the promise of blogging. It feels uncomfortable at this point, but I'd really be down on myself if I didn't take it on. I may experience discomfort, but I sure as hell experience a lot more Aliveness when I'm wrestling with this attempt at self-creation.
Jeneane has examined this phenomenon with far more clarity and written about it far more movingly than I could. Check her out.
