Thanks to the ever awesome tumblr, I’ve become dangerously hooked on re-blogging. I suppose just like popstrel Amy Winehouse got a nice rush from smoking crack, I get a strange buzz from a nice, strong, unadulaterated reblog hit (i.e. it hasn’t been on Boing Boing). Like crack, it might not be good for me, I should probably stop before my entire web life becomes purely about re-posting.But just as Amy can’t put that pipe down, I can’t stop my mouse from clicking on that link.
I have sung the praises of the initial high, but it’s the crashing low that I’ve started to notice more and more. The re-blogger’s equivalent of withdrawal, is an arch pang of guilt at not doing anything more valuable online than re-posting ‘yet another link’. It’s a weird beast that low; it forces me into Woody Allen-esque self-doubting internal monologues: “Should I be adding more value to the web? Do I need comment on more posts, more forums, more blogs? Should I offer keen insight? Should I help a community or group reach new conslusions?” Yes, probably, and I do. Only, less than I used to.
The buzz you get from lengthier web contributions can be hard-earned, if not as short-lived as a re-post. A heated discussion on Linked In’s Creative Professionals group can tough, if not rewarding going – a bit like rambling (something this post suddenly feels like it’s doing).
Hot topics – such as, ‘Can creativity be taught in organisations?’ – really hoover up precious web time and energy, see. And when you’re fiancé’s pushing for a 50% reduction in web activity – 50%! what am I meant to do, talk to her!- that’s gem time and energy that could be re-posting new stuff, goddammit. Indeed, posting good replies in Linked-In groups is like spilling water on Gremlins – it will multiply the demands on you to reply and comment more. That’s your remaining 50% gone, right there! Re-posting, on the other hand, might be a cheaper thrill, but it’s easier, faster, and more frequent.
All of which hand-wringing finally brings me to the actual thing, the re-blog. I meant to do this in one line, but I got to confessing a little about my sordid little re-blog habit.
The Book Seer looks cool, works well, and is damn useful if you’re looking for reading recommendations. Check it out and expand your library.
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