So it begins
Jan. 9th, 2021 08:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
degringolade
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) / Guan Daosheng/ Ink Bamboo
I am content here in my little corner of the far-away part of the internet where no one comes to visit. One of the reasons that I moved to Dreamwidth is it side-side-side-show status among the powers that be in the “digital world” and the Mom and Pop nature of the management and the corresponding low profile. I have browsed about it and I came to the conclusion long ago that it is a safe place to write seditious and odd ramblings because no one who looks here takes it too seriously among the fanfic, occult, kinky, and other odd offerings.
The Colonel was musing this morning about being de-platformed for his cranky old-man musings and his obvious distaste for the antics of the Washington crowd. In his case, this is most certainly a valid concern. Where my hit count per month is in the low-hundreds, his is probably in the >250K range, a minimum of three orders of magnitude greater audience.
You see, you have to analyze why a person has a blog up and running. The Colonel was always a mover and a shaker. He is certain of his correctness and is proud of his ability to attract followers. But that wish on his part by definition makes him a target in a world where control of the narrative appears to be the sole coin of the realm. By his reach and his now-contrarian and antiquated views, he has made himself a target. Which is too bad, I have enjoyed reading the old fart for years now and I have no doubt that the brave new world being ushered in will do what they can to degrade his platform.
I also wonder about JMG and that blog. I have noted that he has wisely steered his blog away from the political (except for the occasional shot) into something useful like the occult. (As an aside, I do believe that while traditional, the use of the word “occult” for spiritual issues is not fully appropriate, because if anything is “occult”, it is politics). That might save him and since he is doing a pretty good job of it, it might be a good place to ride out the storm.
I am very worried about the way that things are going. I am of the age and temperament that I once believed in the idea of a free internet and free speech as being good things. But the idea of free speech has taken a beating lately. Free speech means free listening. But there are a majority of folks out there who are completely comfortable with using “social norms” and “policies” to silence free speech. It is my feeling that if you don’t like what something is saying you walk away. The trend now appears to be if you don’t like what someone is saying, you silence them and ostracize them.
I think that at the end of the day we are all sinners. By desiring a seat at the big peoples table and wanting a huge number of readers and followers, you are just putting yourself in the headlights.
Change is coming, I suppose I am writing this all for the people on the other side of the change.
the benefits of no readers (to speak of)
Date: 2021-01-09 06:10 pm (UTC)Mostly when I've voiced political opinion opposing that of my elected representatives, the only attention they pay me is to reply as if I were a supporter. (I'm looking at you, Cathy McMorris Rodgers!) A few outright dares (e.g. to the original Total Information Awareness campaign and the introduction of the term "Homeland Security") have gone unnoticed AFAIK.
That said, I seriously miss the people who used to post to LJ.
Re: the benefits of no readers (to speak of)
Date: 2021-01-09 06:48 pm (UTC)Re: the benefits of no readers (to speak of)
Date: 2021-01-09 06:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-09 07:14 pm (UTC)