Masonic blogging is a difficult thing to encapsulate..Its neither a function of a Grand Lodge, nor the requirement of a lodge, or of a Master Mason. Instead, it comes from the individual brother who has something to communicate, an idea, an experience, or some insight.
Does what the individual say REALLY matter, or is it just that it IS SAID and put into the universe?
Rightly so, I often look at the blog as a journal of sorts, the book in which we write our individual musing on a topic. In Freemasonry, it can span the expanse of the novitiates entry into the craft to the highest Grand Master thinking aloud and musing on shores of the ethereal.
But, as noted recently by the Northeastern Corner, and today by the Widow’s Son, as fast as the blogs come up, the are disappearing. Sadly, there is never an announcement of their departure, no fan fare or fond farewells. Instead they stop abruptly, as if they were a newly constructed road that just ends mid way across a valley floor. No cones, no signs, just no more road.
And this is a little disturbing to me. For many the enjoyment of reading blogs is a daily sojourn to the various sites taking the time to look at and see the new widgets or links on the side, and any overall general theme changes. For me, it was enjoyable experience to go out and interact with them.
But, over time, what I found is that something changed in the way people interact with blogs (including this one). Where at one point people would come by and visit, now it is subscribed to with an RSS feed and seldom (if ever) do the subscribers come back to see what’s new on the site.
There is probably an interesting metaphor here for Masonry, that more brothers like to be members but most only pay dues to get the trestle board and know that their lodge is still there rather than pay a visit and spend some time looking at the new paint job, or enjoying the new wall hangings. Its purpose being delivered to the doorstep with each new going on.
It is In this instance that RSS feeding of the site that has dictated the change. If 80% of your audience (and daily readers) only receive your posts into their email box (or feed reader) the question to answer then becomes how do I engage them? Is it by more relevant content, or prettier images on its home?
As the Widows Son mentioned today, the work involved in creating the content is substantial. Faced with that and the obligations of life many blog writers chose to stop producing and thus ending their blog. I saw the need to go another direction, that consolidation of resource seemed the only logical choice to ensure a good stream of content and continuity. So what was at once the work of one, is now the work of 5 at the sacrifice of overall individuality.
In some respects I see it as a metaphor to the congregation of meeting in lodges rather than laboring individually. By pooling our resources it gives us a unique opportunity to work together and build something bigger than any one of us could in such a short time. And, by correspondence, we feed that content beast tethered to the end of those RSS feeds to grow our thoughts and ideas and share them with you to find relevance where you may.
And together, hopefully, we can continue to erect a digital ediface to the craft.
Br. Greg
FmI – the digital Masonic Magazine.
http://ep9.f3a.mwp.accessdomain.com
*Northeast = Northeastern 🙂
I now feel somewhat guilty for showing people HOW to use RSS in Masonic Tech 🙂
Greg,
I think what you are doing with FmI is very good for the Craft. I think consolidation of bloggers will ultimately save them. I know from maintaining my own site that writing new content can become a chore. Your great online magazine has given brothers a chance to publish their articles without necessarily being tied to the daily grind of blogging. I love blogging and yes, I have been writing regularly during the slow period but I can understand why some brothers would get out of it. We are speculative Masons meaning that we have real jobs while also being Masons and in an economy like this, it is understandable that guys would get out of it.
Nah, nothing doing. The Rss feed is a great tool, so better to be on the front end and say how to use it so more who may be inclined to can.
Its funny how many brothers miss that the name of my blog is The Northeastern Corner, not the Northeast Corner. Its kind of a play on where I live along with the part of the lodge we first stand as just and upright Masons! Anyway keep up the important work Brother Greg.
Hasty fingers br 🙂 I just made the correction!
People blog for a lot of different reasons. Good blogs are usually written for personal reasons, and sometimes it’s easy to forget that behind the scenes, the ebb and flow of everyone’s lives can carry people to very different places than where they began. Sometimes blogs peter out simple because they’ve served their purpose to the author, who had some thoughts they needed to get out and have now moved on.
My own blog, “The Examined Life,” has been known to go for weeks or months at a time without a post… sometimes because I’m too busy, but more and more often because I don’t feel like I’ve got anything new or interesting to say that I haven’t said already.
It’s disappointing when a favorite blog falls off the map, but unless it was content I was paying for I certainly wouldn’t want the author to feel guilty about it, and I think I’d rather it fade away than turn into just another “OMG I can’t believe how long it’s been since I posted!” blog.
In my experience, if you keep a blog updated with some regularity, say once a day or once a week, or other readers will be there.
RSS or any other form of informing does not, in my opinion, neither the number of visitors, nor the participation with comments. In fact more than 40% of the people that receive our articles via RSS or mail to come and visit the blog.
The contents, and the approach authors make to themes are the reason of participation or not.
Being co-author in a masonic blog for the last 3 years, I know well of the difficulty to maintain it ( we publish 5 posts per week) but with some ideas and some effort we are managing.
This does not mean that a blog should not be stopped. Everything in life has an end and blogs are no different. If the project is done, or can’t be pursued anymore, then a blog should in my opinion be finished by it’s author.
This mega site is a Lodge – an E Lodge.
Some of just love to hang out. I’m one of those hangers. Hanging out with an adult beverage in my hand is a favorite past time. I learn more and bond more tightly in that kind of Masonic venue.
I find that some Masons are sort of stand offish. So prim and proper. I’m one of the down and dirty roll in the mud guys who enjoys giving you a big sweaty hug.
Hanging out, that’s my cup of tea. Eh wat?
I have read some on the history of the Freemasons, Knights of Templar, etc. I personally think it is a great part of history and I see in many ways how the moral story behind the DaVici code could be real. Being raised Catholic, I always wondered why such a man, Jesus, would not produce his own family. I do not believe in organized religion, especially the Roman Catholic. BUt the main reason for my contacting you is because In my travels, I have come across a Freemasons Bible copyright 1955. The book itself is in good condition except for the front biding is coming apart. I would like to sell such item because it is too heavy for my backpack. Could you possibly direct me as to whom would buy such an item?
Thank You Sophia Schessler