I’ve always had a tendency to make fun of the kids who play video games all day, but am now starting to wonder if my blogging activity is really that much more valuable. Do I not essentially spend my blogger’s life in a fantasy world, conducting imaginary “raids” on enemy conservatives, part of a team of liberal bloggers who chat with each other, preaching to the choir with their witty quips? Imagining that I’m engaged in some enormous battle, when in reality I’m involved in minor verbal altercations inside of a conservative-liberal duality which was most likely constructed and is being manipulated by somebody else.
Don’t get me wrong, I like having my blog. And my favorite thing about having it is the fact that I’ve found a community, a group of peeps who are just as obsessive about politics as I am. And I do know that the issues we write about can have life-or-death consequences, so I’m not dismissing the problems themselves as imaginary. But isn’t my writing about them just that…words? For all the effect it has on the real world, I might as well be living in my Mom’s basement and eating chips while fantasizing about being a powerful wizard.
My one hope is that putting an idea out there into the ether often enough actually does leave an imprint and influence how things are discussed and thought about. So perhaps what we do will make a difference. However, I’m also going to lose my attitude about the World of Warcraft kids. I’m just as addicted to sitting at a computer as they are.
Also, there’s always Alan Scott. As long as he’s around, I will never feel like I’m preaching to the choir. Congrats on sticking it out so long with us liberals, Alan. I’m making you a tag in my blog post….
eurobrat 
06/19/2012 at 9:43 pm
I don’t know who Alan Scott is, but I believe he’s a 5th level dwarf paladin with a Shield Of Unyielding Light and a Mace of Thundering Smite. Born in the Year of the Jackrabbit in the halls of an underground mine shaft, he… well he’s probably a very nice man. With a nice hat.
As for the effort of keeping a politically-minded blog, there’s two ways to look at this:
1. We’re doomed, fucked, used and soon to be washed out. This generally speaking is my perspective. I find a bit of freedom in that, oddly enough.
2. Dr. Seuss. Horton Hears a Who. I think. The idea that if you shout long enough and loud enough you might just be the bird at the top of the pile whose voice is finally heard. That’s blogging. It’s also human nature and a massive step up from World of Warcraft.
Me: I also blog, I write about making art. Even as the last missile turns hot in the silo, someone will be starting a painting or finishing their very first song. No matter what happens, however blue it gets, it’s someone’s job to just keep going. Given that most of us have no hope of being heard by Horton, that’s a viable alternative, to make something worth something if/when the world turns its eye toward us. And if all else fails it’s a good place to simply breathe.
In any event, just keep writing. If you don’t then you’re not doing your job. Worry about the bigger picture down the road. If we outthink ourselves then we’re nowhere. I could give college-level lessons on that from my own life.
Just. Keep. Going.
06/20/2012 at 6:48 pm
Wow, thank you. I will keep going. Alan Scott is a conservative who debates me on other political blogs, and keeps me from ever feeling like I’m just preaching to a supportive choir.
Writing keeps me in a happy place regardless of whether it’s heard by anyone or not. Therefore it’s a good idea for me to continue doing it.
06/20/2012 at 6:48 pm
Thanks to everyone who had read and enjoyed this blog. The blogging thing probably does make sense, after all 🙂
06/21/2012 at 12:02 pm
[…] Eurobrat has a good post about blogging. Be sure to read the comments as well: Don’t get me wrong, I like having my blog. And my favorite thing about having it is the fact that I’ve found a community, a group of peeps who are just as obsessive about politics as I am. And I do know that the issues we write about can have life-or-death consequences, so I’m not dismissing the problems themselves as imaginary. But isn’t my writing about them just that…words? For all the effect it has on the real world, I might as well be living in my Mom’s basement and eating chips while fantasizing about being a powerful wizard. [Hey! What's so wrong about that?–MM] […]
06/22/2012 at 8:03 pm
“My one hope is that putting an idea out there into the ether often enough actually does leave an imprint and influence how things are discussed and thought about. So perhaps what we do will make a difference.” Thank you for articulating what I feel. I must put the ideas out there and I must have faith that I will leave an imprint which will move our culture forward even if it is just by tiny baby steps or by one person. Amen and amen!
06/24/2012 at 5:03 pm
You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the media and all of the memes that are put out there every day influence the way we think. Ironically, this has made me more hopeful. If we put positive ideas out there over and over again, we can influence the world’s thinking in the same way that the talking heads do.
Thanks for reading my blog Eleanor…I’m glad it’s been encouraging!