January 7, 2009

Remember The Dullest Blog in the World?

It was one of the first blogs I ever read. It had posts like this:
Pulling my chair a few inches towards the table

I was sitting at the table and realised that I would be more comfortable if my chair was a couple of inches nearer to the table. I moved the chair forward slightly, thus lessening the gap between me and the table. I was then able to continue what I was doing in greater comfort.

Walking along at a steady pace

I needed to get somewhere and decided to walk there. I wasn’t particularly early or particularly late, so I walked along at a steady pace.

Making a note of something on a piece of paper

Earlier on I heard something that I wanted to remember. I found a pen and wrote it down on a piece of paper. If I need to be reminded of the information at any point I will find the piece of paper and read it.

Replacing the lid on a container

I noticed that after eating my lunch a tub of low fat spread remained on the kitchen work surface. It did not have a lid on. I remedied the situation by replacing the lid and returning the container to the refrigerator.
Those are just a few posts in a row from 2003. Now, that was fascinatingly hilarious back then. Today, does the humor even register? It looks like Twitter! Now, millions of people write tiny posts to say whatever little thing it is they happen to be doing. And it's not to be funny. It's to communicate and feel connected.

There's this odd phenomenon where the things that were once the most serious become jokes and funny stuff from the past somehow becomes the grim norm.

43 comments:

David said...

Isolation is the grim norm. It can be hard to overcome. Mostly, blogs and twitter etc create the illusion of overcoming isolation.

ballyfager said...

It sounds like Nicholson Baker to me.

KCFleming said...

"the things that were once the most serious become jokes and funny stuff from the past somehow becomes the grim norm."

Minnesota elections, the former; Senator Franken, the latter.

Ophir said...

Minnesota elections, the former; Senator Franken, the latter.

Were Minnesota elections ever serious? Was Al Franken ever funny?

MayBee said...

Perhaps it is Twitter that needs reevaluating.

KCFleming said...

"Were Minnesota elections ever serious? Was Al Franken ever funny"

Long ago, and far away.

chuck b. said...

Isn't Minnesota where that bridge collapsed in the evening rush hour dropping several cars in the river and killing people?

A bridge collapses in a major city and kills several people. Is this China? India?

Seems like that story should still be in the national news, but it went away very quickly. Do they still talk about it in Minnesota?

Jason (the commenter) said...

The first blogs I ever read (or heard about) were from a list in Forbes magazine. Then I dropped my Forbes subscription because I mysteriously didn't have time to read it anymore.

KCFleming said...

" Do they still talk about it in Minnesota?"
Hardly a day goes by.
It was blamed eventually on (1) a bad design and (2) bad monitoring over decades, sort of like passing kids on to the next grade despite being unable to read.

Once in awhile a story pops up where someone lies and pretends to have been there, hurt in the disaster, for money or attention.

Anonymous said...
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Sprezzatura said...

Seems like that story should still be in the national news, but it went away very quickly. Do they still talk about it in Minnesota?

They rebuilt the thing in about eleven months (if I recall correctly.)

Apparently infrastructure can be done quickly, especially when folks are working on updates or rebuilding, rather than (e.g.) putting a new highway through a built up neighborhood or a wetland.

chuck b. said...

Well, it was a sad, outrageous thing and I am still perturbed by it myself.

rhhardin said...

Picking out the ordinary is an art.

The example's joke, such as it was, was in doing it badly, not in doing it in the first place.

Anonymous said...
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George M. Spencer said...

Big article in the NYT today about eating squirrels.

Damn, you know its poverty times when gay people in Manhattan are eating Kentucky trash food.

My country cousin says squirrel have the toughest hide, and he's killed a lot of them. Folks, I don't care how hungry you are, they are not worth the trouble.

chuck b. said...

Eating squirrels perturbs me too.

Anonymous said...
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Original Mike said...

Pogo - It was my impression that the blame went to connecting plates that were too thin (i.e. design error). Has that held up?

It has been pointed out, by many observers, that if the "infrastructure stimulus" is going to do anything to aid the economy, it's got to be done quickly. The speed with which that bridge was replaced shows that things can be done quickly when people pull together with common purpose. Regrettably, I have zero hope that's what will come out of the stimulus boondoggle.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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MayBee said...

It's just that I almost drove into a tree hearing Republicans being so proud of their social networking.

Our local NPR station highlighted that as one of the most important steps forward.

Trooper York said...

This is why I try to keep my blog as dull as possible.

Original Mike said...

You have a blog, Trooper?

Trooper York said...

Yes but I try to be low key. And it is low class to try to drum up visits and poach readers.

On the other hand, I revel in being low class. Just click throught the profile to get there.

I got a lot of trafic from that picture of Elizabeth Montgomery stroking her pussy.

(End of shameless commercial).

Original Mike said...

I was kidding, Trooper. (Actually, I was reassuring you that your boring strategy is working).

I don't go there enough. But I'm going right over now to check out that Elizabeth Montgomery picture.

chuck b. said...

See, now if you had linked "Elizabeth Montgomery stroking her pussy" I could have just clicked that. But, no, I have to click your profile. I have to click your blog. I have type "Elizabeth Montgomery stroking her pussy" in your "Search Blog" field. Then after all that work, I'm ready for a nap.

Trooper York said...

You can't make it too easy. I only want motivated people. Plus the professor doesn't link me so I didn't want to presume on her hospitality. It's enough that I am shamelessly flaunting my cootch now.

Well other people's cootch's but you know what I mean.

Shanna said...

This is about how boring Facebook "Shanna is ..." updates seem to me.

Folks, I don't care how hungry you are, they are not worth the trouble.

We had a whole conversation about the taste of them at work the other day. Supposedly, they are pretty good. But nobody around here bothers, because why would you hunt squirrel for the teensy bit of meat they have, when you can hunt a deer and get pounds and pounds of meat!

Trooper York said...

That's what I say... never date a skinny broad.

KCFleming said...

"...the blame went to connecting plates that were too thin (i.e. design error)."

Yes. From MPR
"The report concludes that the bridge collapsed because of the failure of undersized gusset plates, which help connect steel beams. The report says the plates failed under stress from construction materials, rush-hour traffic and modifications made to the bridge over the years.

The report says that current federal and state reviews procedures aren't adequate to detect design errors in bridges."


The fact that the gusset plates were made out of plywood salvaged from abandoned icefishing shacks and leftover sticky stuff from 3M's Post-It notes went unspoken, however.

chuck b. said...

I really enjoyed Rush Limbaugh's rant against exercise just now.

ricpic said...

There is something heroic about the ordinary
Provided the doer does not make a tzimis*
Of walking (for example) at a steady pace: an extraordinary
Hip bone to knee bone to foot bone business.



*Major production.

MayBee said...

You can't make it too easy. I only want motivated people. Plus the professor doesn't link me so I didn't want to presume on her hospitality

But now she's going to get your google hits.

blake said...

So...you're saying Network isn't a documentary?

Unknown said...

I think this fits here. :)

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/4/23/

J. Cricket said...

The notion that any full-fledged adult would actually be using Twitter is laughable and pathetic.

I guess you didn't get the memo, Annie.

John Stodder said...

There's a name for people who put their every movement onto their Twitter feed: Teenagers

I'm telling you guys: Get into Twitter Search.

Here's what comes up when I search the term "burris" a couple of minutes ago. I've only edited out coding. I'm not saying it's all fascinating. But it's not, "I sat down and opened the bag." It's hive stream of consciousness.

Realtime results for Burris
xtremebob: Ron, I know who Burris was talking to! Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner!
less than 20 seconds ago · Reply · View Tweet

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KOLO_8_News_Now: Burris Expects to join Senate 'Very Shortly': Roland Burris said Wednesday he should be able to join the Senate .. http://tinyurl.com/8n2et4 (expand)
less than a minute ago · Reply · View Tweet

waitingforwhat: Will he or won't he get seated.. Burris drama continues
2 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

conservatweet: [FreeRepublic] Democrats Playing Hot Potato with Burris Appointment: The Roland Burris circus took.. http://tinyurl.com/6tqjs4 (expand)
4 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

SpikedPunchKP: Finally they're changing their tune on this Burris issue. What are they thinking deneying him!!!
5 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

JohnAmato: Burris and Blags make Reid look like an idiot
5 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

MollyNichelson: Interesting interview w/ IL Sec. of St. White RE: #Blago. He claims his signature was never needed to certify Burris http://is.gd/eOqB (expand) #tcot
5 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

freerepublic: Democrats Playing Hot Potato with Burris Appointment: The Roland Burris circus took a ludicrous turn today as Ha.. http://tinyurl.com/6tqjs4 (expand)
6 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

CesLSU: RT @LenMunsil:-- Of course they will seat Burris. The last thing Dems want is a special election where Blago's corruption gives Rs a chance.
6 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

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thebcast: Obama: Burris Appointment Is A 'Senate Matter' http://tinyurl.com/8dlh6f (expand)
8 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

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garlin: @ch3ryl Nat'l polls I read (e.g. USA Today) show Blacks & Whites united against seating Burris. They need to seat him & end this BS.
8 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet · Thread Show ConversationHide Conversation

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brooksbayne: senate dems turn burris away from senate floor due to "improper documentation". by improper documentation they mean "ur black".
9 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

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marioradio: watching the Roland Burris drama unfold at http://gotomario.com
10 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

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jameshgale: @Flap So now none of the Democrats want to take responsibility for keeping Burris out of the Senate?
11 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

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trnsheadlines: Reid defends barring Burris: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) defended the decision to deny seating Il.. http://tinyurl.com/8c3u6l (expand)
12 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet


And here is what comes up if I search "althouse."


Realtime results for althouse
0 more results since you started searching. Refresh to see them.

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freemanhunt: What's it like inside a Cuban hospital? http://www.therealcuba.com/Page10.htm With pictures. H/T Pogo, commenter on Althouse
about 5 hours ago · Reply · View Tweet

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secularright: “‘Conversations With God’ Author Accused of Plagiarism”: What? Not ventriloquism? (via Althouse). http://tinyurl.com/8gu4d9 (expand)
about 6 hours ago · Reply · View Tweet

MeadeMeade: replying to stuff Ann Althouse wrote
about 19 hours ago · Reply · View Tweet

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danzphoto: @althouse I wasn't aware that blog posting and sex were inversely related. I hope to be posting much less frequently in the future ;-P
1 day ago · Reply · View Tweet

theobaldboehm: Althouse asked what's your idea of a hot meal? Mine was the roast chicken my wife so nicely made waiting for me when I got home. Thank you!!
1 day ago · Reply · View Tweet

theobaldboehm: Althouse drank some Vedge http://tinyurl.com/7y69af (expand) and Cabernet when she got home. I drank some Lindemann's Chardonnay (cheap/ok) w/dinner.
1 day ago · Reply · View Tweet

jmguardia: A few interesting reasons for using Tweeter by @annalthouse http://althouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/twittering.html
2 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

wbaustin: Now that is hilarious - from @annalthouse via @instapundit "Twitter wants to make us all Instapundit." http://tinyurl.com/althouse (expand)
2 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

KMBExpert: Ann Althouse said Twitter is trying to make us Instapundits. I agree.
2 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

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redhatrob: quote of the day: Twitter seems like a good tool for people who wish they had a stalker. - hattip to Ann Althouse
2 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

woden325: @annalthouse It's a tweet about the odd last few minutes on Althouse.
3 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

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aftermathradio: Card Check Likely Dead: Or at least that’s the impression I’m getting from Ann Althouse. Even if Rei.. http://tinyurl.com/8a3bc4 (expand)
3 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

etc: @ConservativeLA I'm embarrassed. You were referring to Ann Coulter, and for some reason, I was talking about Ann Althouse. LMAO
3 days ago · Reply · View Tweet · Thread Show ConversationHide Conversation

californiaBNN: Right Coast: Unjust to philosophers Tom Smith: This is completely unfair. I guess Professor Althouse's.. http://tinyurl.com/7xgsfe (expand)
3 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

lanceburri: A New Year's Eve observation over at Althouse: http://tinyurl.com/8q6zrr (expand)
4 days ago · Reply · View Tweet

Anonymous said...

Oh, I think the dullest blog in the world is still hilarious - that's because it's making fun of the literalness, and dullness, of some blogs. Actually, I kind of miss some of those early blog-star blogs.

I deleted my Twitter account after one day. I have zero interest in it, it creeps me out, I don't really want to know everything about everything. I prefer ignorance in some things.

The funny this is my blog is similarly dull. Dull blog is deadpan at it's best. Also, restful and soothing to read. If I went back on Twitter I'd totally do a local weather out my window report. Today it is sunny. Today it is cool. Today it is raining, and so on.

Anthony said...

This all reminds me of Jim's Journal: I Went To College and It Was Okay.

William said...

Immortality has been democraticized. In past times, only the rich and famous had portraits made to record their image on earth. And of the rich and famous, only the most extremely renowned had their image graven in 3D stone and their great moments recorded in history. Now everyone has pictures of their grandparents, and it continues to evolve. Formerly only movie stars had their images in motion recorded, and their intimate lives documented. Now everyone gets to be a celebrity and document their least moment for eternity.... I haven't a clue what Helen of Troy or Madame DuBarry actually looked like. I don't know if Sarah Bernhardt's movements were graceful or hurried. I don't know what Myrna Loy looked like when she was having sex. And these were the most famous women of their age. Compare them with Paris Hilton whose every fifteen minutes is famous and recorded for posterity.....Life is a finite series of discrete, meaningless moments. To record the movement of your chair towards the table gives that small gesture a semblance of significance. We go to such lengths to convince ourselves that there is some permanence to our stay on earth.

MadisonMan said...

I loved Jim. Thanks for reminding me of him. Hooray for Scott Dikkers!

Chet said...

The best way to banter on Twitter simply quote clever lines from whatever fascinating books they are reading.

--Or just things you overheard, for those of us who eavesdrop a lot.

Twitter is a great source of gossip and it's like being a fly on the wall.

heywoot said...

Read post. Shut off computer.