Welcome to The Dusty Keyboard
If the pen is mightier than the sword, how mighty is a blog?
Having grown up alongside the internet, I am no stranger to blogs- as a reader. As an author? I happily adorn my lapel with a beginner’s badge as I dust off my keyboard.
Image from Flat Icon
Introduction
In my younger years, I relegated blogs to being a niche hobby that sort of crossed paths with independent journalism, writing, and self-promotion. I understood that blogging, depending on the author, could be a goldilocks zone that preserved anonymity (if so desired), offered more publicity than a personal journal, and required less formality than other journalistic mediums. Aside from that, I had not given it much thought until recently.
My on-again, off-again relationship with social media led me to evaluate how I use, engage, and consume technology. The outcome: a purpose-driven use of social media, the integration of dedicated devices, a return to physical media, and a reintroduction to blogs.
Becoming reacquainted with blogs has revealed more of its mighty nature. Some of the most powerful pieces I have read this year come from blogs and independent writers who captivate me with their prose.
I hope that my participation in the medium will help channel my thoughts, encourage creativity, and open me up to connecting with new topics, perspectives, and people. Overall, a welcomed endeavor as I continue to expand my comfort zone and build my own network through my own definition of networking.
For years, I joked that I was mortal enemies with Networking, as it was originally presented as a shallow set of social rules needed to “get ahead”. This had always bothered me for its disingenuousness and transactional nature. Over the years, I have encountered more people denouncing this traditional interpretation in favor of forming relational networks rooted in authenticity and learning together. Decolonizing Networking and Why Networking is a Bad Idea summarize well the key criticisms of a traditional networking approach.
So Why Here?
Before I really get started on this new adventure, I must first pick my vessel. Oversaturated with options, I focused on three factors:
Function
Features
Familiarity
(I dub these the Founding F-athers, the first of many F***’s I suspect I will encounter on this journey.)
Image from SaraAmazing
I landed on using Tumblr due to its established success as a blogging platform, robust tagging system, and multimedia integration. While I have used Tumblr in the past (like over a decade ago…), it was more in the image of how someone uses Pinterest.
Initially, I was leaning toward a website builder like WordPress, as I have prior experience and knowledge. Instead of following my previous path, I met myself in the middle between familiarity and inexperience.
Sometimes the best creative tool is a fresh perspective and built-in constraints.
Thank you for reading and happy blogging!
