I may make a lot of enemies with this post. But when has that ever stopped me?
Enter at your own risk.
I basically hate MySpace. Why? For several reasons, but first I will start by affirming the one positive thing about it, other than it's a cash cow right now. Basically a glorified message board, it can be a way for people to communicate with each other if they're away from loved ones, family, etc. (I've recently seen my cousins communicate with my brother on the site, which is really neat.) Other than that, I hate it. Again, why?
First of all, I've not seen a MySpace account that isn't fully self involved. Now, if you are a traveling musician (like many of my friends), then you have interesting things to talk about. If you are a part of a really unique profession, you do as well. If you're a hurricane relief worker, you also would have amazing stories. As for the rest, well....
I feel like I've watched MTV, read Teen People, The National Enquirer and all the other trivial pursuit magazines, for hours after looking at some of the accounts. I never close the window thinking, "Man, am I ever glad I perused that site. My life has been enriched and enlightened." I actually leave thinking, "I hate this website."
I say this in great conflict, being the proud owner of my own blog, struggling to self-examine and ask if I am guilty of the same social crime. Maybe I am. But I hate narcissism. And our culture is chalk full of it. Having a "Me, me, me" website simply fuels the narcissism and affirms self-importance. I know I'm taking a risk here, but it must be said.
It's easy to differentiate between fully narcissitic sites/accounts and those that aren't. Most bloggers write in first person. We aren't journalists, so there's no protocol or duty to exclude personal experience or opinion. In fact, those are the two things that drive the blog industry. We make no bones about having an opinion, where journalists of now adamantly insist that they are without bias. No comment.
In college, my favorite professor, Dr. Peter Marston, used to give essay exams that could not exceed 1 page. If we went one line past that limit, he wouldn't read it and we'd be marked down. The content we would often be tested on was quite difficult and weighty, so many would object, crying that it wasn't enough room to answer his questions. He believed in being accurate and concise in writing and would respond, "You think you even have enough thoughts to fill up a 3x5 card?!?" To which the sorority girl who asked would huff and slump in her chair.
He's right. If he were grading this post, he'd tell me to cut out half of it. I would love to write a book someday, and believe I will, but I haven't started because, let's be honest, what could I possibly say right now? I do have a great deal of life experience for someone my age, but who am I kidding? My thoughts could only fill up a chapter, maybe. In the meantime, I'm going to keep pursuing knowledge and wisdom and try to avoid inflating the idea of my own importance.
So, as much as I love my close friends and family on myspace, I maintain my dislike and advise said account holders to keep writing about fascinating, funny, interesting topics (I know most already do). Because a good read is hard to find. :)
Posted by Portia at October 10, 2005 10:58 AM | TrackBackTHANKS BE TO GOODNESS...SOMEONE FINELY SAID IT!
Thanks Portia for your willingness to put yourself out there, yet again, for everyone to hate you. Your loved by this one!! :x
Posted by: Mindy at October 10, 2005 01:57 PMI, too, find MySpace annoying, but more for what it isn't, than what it is. Most sites that I've viewed seem a bit soul-less, or rather, that they seem like they aren't aren't written with passion. A good blog can manifest itself in many ways, but every blog I enjoy carries the imprint of its maker, and those passions they bring to their world. That may mean that the author posts about himself only, but it must be done with passion and verve to interest me.
As for that book you hope to write:
I haven't a clear notion of your age, but you appear to be in your twenties. You've lived enough to write about your world, and - in fact - you do so now. I'd agree with you that a 25 year-old has no reason to write an autobiography - yet - at this stage in her life. But there is either a book in you right now, or there isn't. For my part, I don't think you are being coy, but I do think you are selling yourself way to short. You write wonderfully, and I believe you have stories to tell, both fiction and non. If you don't wish to write, or don't have the energy or stamina to write, or feel too timid to write, those are all acceptible reasons - in my view - to abstain. But your youth should not be held against you. Remember, Jack London was not quite yet 30 when he wrote 'White Fang,' Hemingway was all of 26 when 'The Sun Also Rises' was published, and Bret Ellis was only 21 when 'Less Than Zero' came out.
So, write if you will, and don't write if you must. But you are old enough for the task.
Cheers.
Posted by: Muzzy at October 11, 2005 03:23 PMMuzzy, you are the reason why I'm glad there is a blogosphere. Thank you so much for the kind words. I certainly wasn't fishing for compliments by posting on this subject. Truly, I was worried that I was guilty of the same self-absorption (which I am more than capable of, I assure you), but your comment eloquently addressed any of those concerns.
I do write because I will, and I'll remember that phrase forever. Thank you for exhorting me not to be held captive by age, but rather by wisdom and good timing. :)
Posted by: Portia at October 12, 2005 10:14 PM
