Clay Shirky’s new media predictions in the Guardian. Here’s part of what he had to say about newspapers. I think he’s right:
Jeff Jarvis said it beautifully: “If you can’t imagine anyone linking to what you’re about to write, don’t write it.” The things that the Huffington Post or the Daily Beast have are good storytelling and low costs. Newspapers are going to get more elitist and less elitist. The elitist argument is: “Be the Economist or New Yorker, a small, niche publication that says: ‘We’re only opening our mouths when what we say is demonstrably superior to anything else on the subject.'” The populist model is: “We’re going to take all the news pieces we get and have an enormous amount of commentary. It’s whatever readers want to talk about.” Finding the working business model between them in that expanded range is the new challenge.
It makes me ponder this blog. If I were a news journal, would I rather be populist or elitist? And the answer is easy: elitist, please, but only if it’s not much work. Work. Always the tricky part. I don’t like it much, never have. I’m a writer; writers are lazy. (Otherwise we’d have real jobs.)
With my novels I take pains. My novels will last. (Well, they will if one assumes that the rules of the 20th century will hold true for the 21st–not a safe or smart assumption.) But what’s the blog for? Is it supposed to last?
I think the individual posts, tuh, not so much. Not on a daily basis. I think I need three substantial and meaningful, in a representative-of-me way, posts a month. The rest can be short and grumpy, amusing, informative and/or pretty in varying measures. The community we’re building though–that is important to me.
I never know in advance how a post will turn out. This one, for example, started out as a one-line link, a Saturday morning everyone’s busy kind of post, but then I had to pick a chunk of Shirky’s article to quote, which made me pay attention. Which is fatal :) So here I am, blah-blah-blahing about the Meaning of My Blog. And the meaning of my blog, dear reader, dear commenter, the whole point, is you. How you talk to each other, and to me. So, hello, I hope you’re having a lovely Saturday morning.
Nicola Griffith 
At 3:32am I was having a lovely sleep. What were you doing up at that ‘ungodly’ hour? Never mind, you don’t need to answer. :-) This is my first ever attempt to respond on this blog.I became a lurker here during the Warren political episode and I really appreciated your response then. Since then I drop in periodically. Have a great Saturday when you wake up!
A great Saturday morning indeed. I always look forward to reading your posts, but don’t always comment because I may not be knowledgeable enough in certain subjects to contribute saying anything “worthwhile”. Sometimes, when I read your posts, it’s almost as if you’ve taken me back to Seattle for a fleeting glimpse. :)And I’d like to say that I’d be elitist, only in way of the meaning and context it was put here, otherwise, I just don’t really like the whole elitist attitude of things. Always been allergic to it. But in the way it’s been explained here, it makes sense. And that Storm cover? Beautiful. I would have loved to see you sing it personally. Again, you were and are gorgeous. :)
Elitest-wise, you have a nice advantage: you are the foremost authority on popular author Nicola Griffith.
I also think the “personality” blog has a niche it will hold; both Big & Little. Momus' “famous for fifteen peopole” & that whole 1000 true fans idea.
It is a cold, snowy Saturday morning but glorious none the less. The wonder and enjoyment of the blog for me, are the topics and discussions. The ideas put forth can give me much to ponder on certain days. What I really enjoy are the talented and smart people who weigh in,the perspectives are interesting and I am seeing some wonderful art work through other sites.The community has been a huge plus, I hope it continues to grow and of course thank you for taking time out of your day to do this.
<>vicki<>, welcome. I, too, was sleeping. Blogger automagically posts for me while I dream.<>realmcovet<>, elitism isn’t necessarily the same thing as snobbery. I’m glad you liked the song; I’m irrationally fond of it.<>mordicai<>, hadn’t thought about it in exactly those terms :) I’m also an authority (tho’ not the supreme one) on fabulous writer Kelley Eskridge; I know a lot about sleeping late, and a fair amount about saying, Ah fuck it, let’s have a drink.<>rory<>, you’re welcome. Here in Seattle we’re back to not-cold not-wet January weather. Sort of nothingy. But the air smells delicious.
Please keep on blogging just like you do. It’s always interesting, often humorous, sometimes provocative. We respond to you and to each other in sometimes surprising ways.
A very good Saturday, thank you, we here in the Philly area are due for some snow, so everyone is panicking and picking up their french toast breakfast supplies, so I am glad to finally be home!thank you for all the different ways you write!Jen G
My Saturday morning was quite blissful in its “sleep-itude.” .grin.This community is what’s most important part of this blog for me; you, Nicola, and the rest of us. I love all posts on every topic. Just like any conversation, sometimes I respond, and sometimes I spend time listening.For someone living in Downeast Maine, this community is an important lifeline…especially since it has given me the courage to begin my own first novel..smile.Thanks again, Nicola.
<>barbara<>, oh, yep, I’ll keep on keeping on.<>jen<>, you’re welcome. Enjoy the French Toast.<>janine<>, it’s my pleasure. You know that, right?
I do, indeed..you.rock.
I think it will come as no surprise that I would be Populist. I do not feel that I am “demonstrably superior” on any subject or to anyone. I have a “book of knowledge full of snippets” and a large reference index. I love the “common ground people” and what they have to say about anything they so choose as far as it does not incite harm to another. Oh, Texas…80 degrees one day, freezing and foggy the next. Take the Plumeria in ,take the Plumeria out… I spent my Saturday morning taking the puppy out at an ungodly hour, drinking a cup of predawn coffee,and eventually hunkering down under my quilt with a new book. I have enjoyed this blog and do thank Aud’s creator for leading me to it…I have learned much from all who share here.
<>linda<>, I bet you’re better at being Linda than anyone else.
Also– the best way to deal with things like this I think are to stay high up on Bloom’s Taxonomy, or to be the digester for lazy people. The latter is why eventually I took Boing-boing off my feed list– it got to the point where half of the posts were reposts of things I’d seen already. Which leaves, as the most reliable way, synthesizing new ideas from the old, or creating new ideas.
So we’re back to making shit up *g*. I can do that…