Monday, August 25, 2008

so long sweet summer...and sweet blog

As summer begins to fade into the sun-speckled chasms of our minds, leaving us with only burned foreheads and half-eaten popsicles to remember it by, it comes time for this blog to end as well. Well, for now, at least – who knows if and when I’ll want to strike up again with some banter about the increasing popularity of publishing via skywriting or something?

I have learned many lessons throughout my summer blogging adventure. To name a few: the subway is the fastest way to get around the city, it’s possible to walk from the Lower East Side to Grand Central, and (I reluctantly admit) Starbucks really is the most reliable place to meet someone for an interview.

Of course, my blog was more than just an excuse to guzzle down iced coffees (I promise, Al!). So, in an effort to condense my summer into something resembling comprehensiveness, here’s A List of Stuff I’ve Learned.

#1. People Like Lists
Organized bullet points, summaries, informative blurbs – it’s almost too easy to peruse the Internet for quick, accessible snatches of information. On the one hand, this trend does make a 30-plus-page newspaper seem all the more daunting to anyone who’s either really busy or really lazy. However, short of sticking an IV coursing with political commentary into someone’s arm, I think that any news-receiving method is a good one.

#2. That Being Said, Don’t Believe Everything You Read
Many of my interviewees alluded to the potential for disaster when gullible Internet surfers come face-to-face with completely illegitimate websites. This is an important point to consider for print publishing as well; though websites may require you to be a bit more skeptical, you should always question what you read. It’s part of being an educated, well-informed, curious human being.

#3. The Phrase “Internet Connection” is Almost Too Easy to Pun
I’m not exaggerating when I say that my mother’s favorite sentence in my entire blog is the line “Apparently, signing up for speedy Internet connection can also get you speedy Internet connections” from my post about Marci Alboher. Well, it’s as punny as it is true – the Internet is an amazing place to network. Whether you’re being set up by mutual friends on Facebook or making a name for yourself professionally, there’s nothing better than the Web.

#4. The Power of the Slash
As I continue my small homage to Marci Alboher, the queen of both blogging and slashing, let’s talk about the latter. Working on my project only increased my awareness of this growing professional trend in which one can be a journalist, a poet, and a public speaker (hopefully getting paid for all three). I realized that, as a blogger, I have the potential to be quite slashy myself.

#5. If You’re Trying to Find Yourself, Get a Facebook
How many lost souls would have saved thousands of dollars on therapy had they just made a Facebook? Perhaps I am glorifying the addicting website due to my own obsession, but there is some validity in viewing the Internet as a way to tangibly shape one’s identity (even Obama has one!). As I said, because people like lists and fun, pretty, easy-to-use packaging, there’s no wonder personal websites have become so prevalent.

#6. The Internet Practically Caters to People with Quirky Interests
Want information on the best tank to buy for your sea monkeys? Interested in a pair of purple-and-green checkered hot pants? Not only does the Internet supply the resources for both of those things, but I bet you could find blogs dedicated to them as well. In my interview with Morgan Friedman, he mentioned “niche publishing” as a trend seemingly made for the Internet. Though it certainly exists in print as well (ever heard of ‘Horse & Hound’?), the Web has the resources to convey even more, varied information to the world.

#7. Don’t Let Yourself Drown in Information…
Moderation is important when considering the infinite amount of data available on the Internet. It’s easy to get carried away – Lindsay Palmer mentioned co-workers that literally become imprisoned by their Macs, tirelessly clicking away to read and read and read. Like a rich chocolate cake or a bottle of Absolut, the Internet must be approached with a certain amount of self-control.

#8. …But Take Advantage of the Opportunity!
Don’t be scared of the exciting, endless chances that the Internet provides. Contrary to the belief that the Web is replacing newspapers and T.V as our primary news transmitter, I like to think that it’s just joining the media ranks; it provides more opportunity to expel information than anything else, which is great. There’s no law stating you must get all your news from Google – skim the front page of the Times, check out Perez Hilton for tabloid news (I couldn’t end this blog without mentioning him one more time), peruse AOL News, read NewsWeek. It’s all informative, and it’s all there for us to consume at our leisure.

I think it’s safe to say that this site can finally be titled “the blog of a blogger who now gets blogging.” Confused no more, I am off to bigger and better things – specifically, starting September 1, I’ll be the editor-in-chief of my very own UPenn blog on CollegeOTR.com. Check it out!

2 comments:

alex said...

oh alex, I will truly miss your blog! and not just because I am your mother and your absolute #1 fan. but also because I learned a great deal from your posts, and I enjoyed following your adventures in NYC. this was a wonderful opportunity for you to meet interesting people and to spend your summer honing your craft (which, by the way, I think you did beautifully). I can't wait to follow your college otr blog and look forward to learning and laughing with you throughout the school year. you go girl!! I love you so much and am very, very proud of you!!

Unknown said...

oh, sorry, alex, posted under your account by mistake (again)!