Well, it does for me anyway. For those who keep up with my blog (and I’m assuming that if you’re reading this, you are) may have noticed that things have slowed down considerably — even though I seemed to get better from the flu (as I posted over here). What I’ve learned over the past few days, however, as I was making the slow climb from 60 to 80% of normal was that blogging, for me anyway, requires a higher level of thinking than most things that I do.
It almost reminds me of a recent article in Time magazine about preparing schools and students for the 21st century. The gist of things was that schools need to emphasize a type of learning that teaches and reinforces basic concepts — and allows students to learn cross-disciplinary forms of applying those concepts. Schools in other countries around the world seemed to emphasize this kind of teaching, whereas in North America, rote learning was NOT a relic of the past, but a fairly common practice.
How does all that apply to blogging?
I suppose its all about how you blog and what blogging means to you. I have found that I try and keep regurgitation to a minimum, and otherwise, actually try and use the critical thinking portions of my brain.
- What news is interesting to me?
- Why is it interesting?
- How does it relate to what I already know?
- What are assumptions that have been made that are worth pointing out?
- Are they correct? Are they wrong?
- What happens if I assume the contrary position?
What I’ve learned over the past week is that even though I’m well enough to do most things, I didn’t have either the energy, or the brain cells to blog effectively. Oh, sure, I could blather on — and sure, you could argue that’s what I do *already*. But its funny how blogging — for me, anyway — requires a level of thinking, what I’d like to think requires a certain higher-order level of critical thought, that I didn’t quite appreciate.
Nevertheless, on the slow road back to blogging I’m hopeful that my blogging brain cells will kick into gear. Thanks for staying with me in the mean time. ;)
8 Comments
Basically, anybody trying to write a blog with original opinion and content (vs. just copying links or responding to what others write) is doing a short essay, or a column, not unlike a reporter for a daily. And it’s fairly hard work.
Here’s hoping you’re back up to speed soon because I itch for reading your quality posts…
Wishing you the best, Tony.
I have found your writing to be interesting, exciting, and extremely motivating, so, it is for selfish reasons that I send you my impassioned plea to get your A in G. (I am absolutely kidding about the last five words.)
I continue to be astonished at the way you can balance your chosen profession with (such a high level of) blogging – though I am pleased you try to – it comes as no surprise that there are going to be tough periods.
Anyway, just to repeat the opening words: Wishing you well.
I think the hardest part about blogging is finding a central topic. You seem to do pretty good, whereas I have a very hard time keeping all my random thoughts and tech-doings from spilling out into my blog, you keep with your Web 2.0-centric theme.
Anywho, can’t wait to see more from you Tony! :)
I’ve got to agree with Webomatica. It’s easy to just post what other people are saying. I did that in the beginning – with some of your posts, actually.
What I found was this was much more rewarding, much more interesting and much more difficult to write my own, original thoughts. Yet, it’s also what’s made my readership steadily grow. And I know you already know this.
The great thing about your blog is that you write succinctly and put a lot of thought into what you’re saying. There are a lot of blogs out there that I can’t read anymore because the words themselves end up sounding like a nonsensical mishmash of whatever the authour was thinking – i.e. not much editing going on. So, although I’ve missed your posts lately, I completely appreciate your standards and would rather wait.
Thats what is the toughest part .You get judged so fast that if you dont think you are as good as dead.I have just blogged from 2.5 mnths but i understood one thing….People dont come for news they come to see what different you have….
It takes me around 2-3 hrs to write one post may be i am slow but i have to take care about a lot of things.
You Rock!!!
I hope you feel better soon Tony.
Tony, I thought this was actually a pretty good and timely post! I was starting to strain a bit at trying to find good stuff to post about. I started a number of posts intending to post them but after reading your post here, I decided it was better to dump mediocre posts than to just post for the sake of keeping a schedule. I’ll try your cortical thinking advice!