Does Every Blog Have A Use-by Date?
Friends, of late the number of comments have been gradually dwindling as have the number of visits. Also, I have received several critical though subtle evaluations like: “This blog has fallen off a cliff.”
Perhaps it’s time for me to hang up my keyboard, sit on a veranda with a blanket over my knees, and contemplate my navel. Well, someone’s navel! Is yours available?
I guess with all the fancy things around now like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and with so many celebrities and newspapers and politicians running blogs, it’s not easy for a small, unfunded operator like me to compete. As well, I’m not known for telling people what they want to hear!
Perhaps I’ve said all the useful things I can say. I mean, I’m not Jesus Christ! I never claimed to be. I don’t have all the answers for the world or even any of the answers! I mainly ask questions, sometimes hard questions. Believe me, I don’t mean to be difficult!
I might take a break for a few months, join a monastery. Alternatively, I might enrol in a nudist colony although I find that human naughty parts are rather ugly. Well, most are. Besides it’s winter here. Perhaps I’ll undertake a Ph.D although I’m probably not conformist enough to jump over the mindless hurdles?
Perhaps I’ll just accept that the world is insane and take up basket-weaving. Perhaps I’ll follow my hero, Omar and take up drinking red wine professionally.
Ah well, I’m at yet another crossroads it seems. How many can life present you with? Whither goest me?
All ideas welcome.
P.S. Keep them civil if you would!
SOCRATES: AN ICON.
DRIVEN AS IT IS BY AN EXTREME RELIGIOUS, MILITARIST, RACIST, CORPORATIST, GREED-BASED IDEOLOGY, THE U.S. MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE WORLD!
don’t give up. you are a great read
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i suspect what? i don’t know really david. but i know you must put in a lot of work and hours to keep this going. besides you and c.d. (which i hardly ever post on now – it’s not like it used to be and the people there don’t seem to have a sense of humour) i don’t visit any other blogs.
i understand if you wish to take a break. but the other ideas you put forward wouldn’t suit you.
and yes the world is insane………….
i always read your blog even if i don’t comment every day. sometimes it all just seems so futile and senseless.
if you do decide to go, i for one will miss you.
have you thought of voluntary work with animal sanctuaries………there’s a worthwhile cause.
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i just decided to blog when i want and what i want- and if folks read it fine. i have about half of the readership i used to have- and i suspect half of that is spam. such is life. i look at things like this- human nature isn’t going to change. nothing i have seen throughout my research into history has given me any hope that folks will rise to the occasion and straighten up. i have accepted the fact that america, as an experiment, is over- if it ever really existed in truth anyway; i have accepted that people are too greedy and self centered to do anything meaningful about global climate change- so i’d better adapt; i have accepted that the economy may or may not rebound enough to keep my lifestyle. so, i blog about what i want and spend time with folks who stimulate my gray cells
i also putter in the yard- and watch the bunnies and the birds in the wild 
blog if and when you want- for you. the rest will follow- or not.
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Hey, David, I just replied to a comment you posted on commondreams.org, because it was exactly what I was going to post myself. Great minds. I did add a bit of an addendum.
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Some men of a secluded and studious life have sent forth from their closet or their cloister, rays of intellectual light that have agitated courts and revolutionized kingdoms; like the moon which, though far removed from the ocean, and shining upon it with a serene and sober light, is the chief cause of all those ebbings and flowings which incessantly disturb that restless world of waters. -Charles Caleb Colton, author and clergyman (1780-1832)
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David! How about waiting for summer and then going to a monastery for nudists and make a Ph.D. about the insanity of our species….and about how we ever got the idea that we are NOT insane…;-)
Seriously, I think you should just simply continue, but maybe at a slower pace. Would be great if we could read and enjoy your thoughts just twice a week and then take some time to think and comment on it.
Or, well, you could learn Chinese…..;-) Why not. You could then write your blog in Chinese and would suddenly reach 1,4 billion people….
Cheers!
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Well, it would appear that being neo-human is not that much in vogue. Do what makes you happy, David. I hope that you will continue with your offerings here.
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Thanks, dear friends, for your kind words.
I agree with Coco that, at times, it all appears so futile and senseless.
Yet the quote by Dolce applies to me and I feel driven to use what limited talents I have to try to make a difference, to try to make the world a little better than I found it. Silly, aren’t I?
Betmo, yours is a pragmatic solution but I guess I was born to be a writer and, as such, I need to feel that at least a few people read and react to what I say. But I also know that people lead busy lives and time is often in short supply and there are so many blogs, millions of them. That I have any readers is a bonus I guess.
Therese, being a neo-human has not caught on. Perhaps the struggle to undo the indoctrination is too hard and, more likely perhaps, most people don’t even realize just how much they’ve been indoctrinated.
Ursula, your idea has merit. Perhaps I should slow down a bit. But each time I read the news, issues jump out at me and I feel I have to expose the fraud, the stupidity, the injustice… There I go again. I’m my own worst enemy!
Simon and Brien, thanks for calling by. In a me-first world, those who would take the time to give a helping hand are all too few!
I will go to my thinking spot, reflect upon things, especially just how important loyal friends are!
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David,
I have only recently discovered your blog. Your realistic view of the world and its multitude of ills certainly make compelling reading. Your attempts to influence people on the benefits of a neo-human manifesto are indeed welcome and long overdue. The work you are doing through your blog is an invaluable service in these times of trouble and strife. Without the conscientous efforts of people such as yourself our efforts to overcome the machinations of the powers that be will be rendered so much more difficult. Let the brainless, indoctrinated sheeple have their Facebook, MySpace amd Twitter. We, the rare number who can see behind the facade of the new world order, are in desperate need of your continued thoughts and analysis.
I realise that I am probably being selfish, but I for one need and appreciate your daily wisdom and foresight. You have become a welcome and illuminating guest in my home each day.
Thank you and hope to keep savouring your daily input.
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David G Reply:
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Peter, I find it difficult sometimes to maintain belief in myself, and belief that I have something worthwhile to say, and belief that the world can be changed.
Your generous words (and those of others) have given me some new confidence. I hope I prove to be worthy of such trust.
Thanks!
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Don’t usualy comment, so I will let others speak for me.
David;
“Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture… Do not build up obstacles in your imagination”
Norman Vincent Peale
“As human beings, we are endowed with freedom of choice, and we cannot shuffle off our responsibility upon the shoulders of God or nature. We must shoulder it ourselves. It is our responsibility”.
Arnold J. Toynbee
“My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher”.
Socrates
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David…Abalance is needed between duly noting the injustices present in the world and a change of focus from only seeing the negative side of human beings and their apparent devolution…the world that is unseen is a much more potent force for change…find things to do that totally occupy your being in a creative way to help you build your center of balance…the Japanese call this center “Hara”. ONly from such a strong inner center can we face the ills and misfortunes of life without losing our own sanity…I have to say that I enjoy and learn from reading all the posts here on this blog..thought provoking and good to know there are real people out there who think and care… By sharing ourselves with each other we give actual support and caring…what else is there??? Kate
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I have only found your site recently and I really hope you don’t quit.
Your work really helps me to think about things and to see events in ways I might not otherwise have been able to see them.
The commets let me know that I am not as alone as I sometimes feel with what I am and what I think.
The world needs the wisdom that you have to offer especially now as things seem to keep getting worse every day.
Please keep writing!!!
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David I read your blog daily though I rarely send any comments. I tend to agree with practically everything you say, so I feel no need to write and tell you so.
When one is overwhelmed by the continuous mind boggling rubbish from the mainstream media is wonderful to know that you are not going insane, that there are other humans that can actually think and see the world for what it really is.
You do what you think is best for you, but my life would a little bit more grey without your blog to look forward to every day
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Hey, Just keep goisting where you have been goisting. Persistence is a good thing.
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David, As a human I know things at time seem pointless, even when you speak the truth and not many listen. My advice to you is don’t give up, this blog is like a sub culture for people who believe and want to share in your thoughts and ours. You do a great service for us and particulary because you are in Australia we all rely on your truth telling and philosophy. The medium you have chosen may not be popular anymore, but to many it is essential. This can be diplayed by the amount of new commentators here. From personal experience at times I try to ignore the world and it’s hypocrisy, but I always come back to questioning and debating the true merits of what humans could be. I believe you fall into this catergory as well, you may feel like stopping but I gaurantee you will be back doing what your doing as you cannot sit on a fence. Hang in there mate, all is not lost.
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Friends, in the future, whenever I am filled with self-doubt or feel desperately world-weary, I will return to this post and re-read these generous comments.
Know this: without your support I am nothing!
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David do not give up maybe we cant change human nature all together . But your voice needs to be heard
Thank you for all u do
jeff
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Please, continue! Enjoy your comments tremendously! Found your site not too long ago. Love the humor! It’s summertime and I know I spend less time at the computer as the nudist colony is calling my name and I want a tan:):):) As soon as the rain returns your numbers will increase!
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Ah, Margit, be careful of the sun. It can be a dangerous thing.
I will continue on with the blog while I feel I have something to offer and there are people like you who, like me, are looking to make the world a better place. Hopefully our numbers will grow and we will achieve our dream.
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I would miss you, David Grayling.
Thanks for all the hard work.
Grace.
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Yah, Dave, it is summer here and the sun is calling and there is Lots of gardening to be done. I often read and have no time to wite. Also sometimes I need time to meditate on a response. No time in our modern world. I keep thinking about creating a slower lifestye where there is lots of time for everything! ; ).
peace
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David G Reply:
June 7th, 2009 at 11:36 am
It is sad that we have created a world where there is no time, Grace. I’m sure our masters have designed it to be that way so we don’t begin to question what life is really all about!
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David,
I have never commented here or on any websites that I frequently visit, but feel compelled to do so today, my friend. I have enjoyed your blogs immensely over the last year, and look forward to reading many, many more in the future. Please keep up the great work you are doing. Yours is the last site I go to, because I like to end my read for the day with a reasonable viewpoint such as yours. Take a break when you feel burned out, then come back and continue to write with all the passion of the great human being that you are. The world needs to listen to what you have to say. Thank you for all your efforts!
Peace
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