Avoiding The Apocalypse
“Apocalypse is a frame of mind… A belief. A surrender to inevitability. It is a despair for the future. It is the death of hope.”
~Jim Butcher, Death Masks
I’ve maintained this space for well over 6 years. It’s been through several changes and upgrades. Dry spells. Indirection. And, once in a while, periods of dynamic conversation and content. I’ve enjoyed keeping this blog immensely. And I have no intention of killing it. I want to help it grow and thrive. I hope to continue reaping the benefits (such as they are) that doing so provides.
But the inevitable reality is that at some point, it will die. In order to put that off, I need to create meaningful, interesting content. Otherwise, its death would be a merciful relief. To both of us.
I’d like to avoid that apocalypse. But I’ll need your help.
I need to know what you want.
I’m borrowing from Dave in asking for this. And really, this sort of looking back is becoming an annual tradition. Dave always asks the good questions. The compelling questions. And so, encouraged by his results, I’m shamelessly imitating him (again) here. That is, I want to know your thoughts on my future. Or rather, the future of this blog. I have ideas of my own, but I’ve heard enough of them.
I want to know what you enjoy most about this space.
Why are you here?
What do you want to see more of?
Less of?
Over the last 6 years I hope I’ve gained your trust. And maybe even your loyalty. I’d hate to squander that by cascading into content that is uninteresting, or manipulative. Those of you that know me well, know that I love to talk about policy and politics. Especially the first principles of human rights—life, liberty, property. I’m fascinated by the philosophical, moral, and ethical dilemmas that human interaction causes, and the solutions it uncovers. And while I’ve dabbled among those topics here, and mostly in an outdoor context, I really don’t feel like I have your permission to go much further. And so, perhaps I’ll avoid taking this space too far down that road?
Nevertheless, I do want to expand into topics beyond race and trip reports, gear reviews, and training diaries. Exactly what that entails? I don’t know.
That’s where you come in.
And don’t worry. I have thick skin. I want you to be honest in your feedback. I have lofty ambitions for my writing, and so, I don’t need to be coddled or dandled. I’ll benefit from your honesty.
Leave a comment below, and let me know what you think.
Oh, right. The token photo:
13 Comments
ChrisB
December 15, 2011I don’t contribute the conversation much, but I do enjoy your content and have followed along for several years. Going on 7 blog-years myself, I wonder about many of the same questions. Endless race reports, reviews, etc., etc. – I think what I like most of all is the glimpse into the life of another working guy with a family trying to get better at doing something. The highs and lows. That’s the category I and many others fall into. As one blogger-friend puts it, it’s our reality TV.
Not interested in the political/policy discussions much.
I enjoy the photos a lot, and am trying to improve my own content in that regard. Always up for the technical details on what you are shooting with or did to get a particular shot – though the general audience interest might be limited there.
Keep up the good work.
Chris
mark
December 15, 2011I want you to attempt to piss me off more frequently.
Grizzly Adam
December 15, 2011I figure the only (or best) way to piss you off is to beat you in a ‘cross race. And that’s a 50/50 proposition at best. But I’ll do my best.
Jason
December 15, 2011Any and all videos and pictures are welcome! Anything to take my mind somewhere else when I’m unable to get out there myself.
slowerthensnot
December 15, 2011Great questions!
always this end of year thinking and what next is on the mind…
enjoy your words and like I said in DaveC’s blog I have to hit your blog once a month due to at times its pretty hard for me to digest the words =)
Keep it coming
Josh
December 15, 2011I am finding that the facebook-ification of the world has affected me. I used to sit down when I got home from work and go through my whole Blogroll to see what everybody was up to. Sometimes for an hour or two. Now I can’t stand long blog posts. BikeSnobNYC was the first blog I cut loose because I just didn’t have 15-20 minutes to read his posts every day. I guess what I’m saying is I like quick, concise posts. If I can’t realistically pull my phone out of my pocket in a public restroom stall and read it before I’m finished, I probably won’t bother to go back to it.
In the words of AWOLNATION “Blame it on my ADD Baby…”
PS: The best part of your blog since October has been the videos. Hands down. Do that more.
Dave Harris
December 15, 2011Yea, the videos have been awesome – but I know firsthand how time consuming that endeavor is so no asking for more. That would be unfair to 6 certain folks that share your roof 😉
IMHO, blogs are all about the individual. Unless you want to make it a business (and I know you don’t), the content that “moves you” is what will move me. Probably, anyway – unless it involves snow 😉
Fill it with your stoke from whatever corner it may originate and it will live on.
Jeff H
December 15, 2011The stories here initially caught my interest. The photography, race videos, and reports are equally interesting. The political commentary is entertaining but I agree that you may be reaching the end of your leash (at least in this space). Keep up the good stories supplemented with high quality photography and occasional video. It wouldn’t count against you in the least to repost some of the older gems. Plenty of good content in the archives.
Jeremy
December 17, 2011I have been following your posts for about a year now, and what I enjoy the most are the photographs and descriptions of the numerous bike/ski/race adventures. Viewing your blog from my home in Virginia gives me a window into a world that I miss greatly since moving from Utah over 10 years ago. When I do get home to the SLC I have used your narratives as starting points to launch my own amazing back country experiences.
Keep writing about riding and skiing and throw in some good photos. If there’s a cause you feel passionately about bring it, your opinion is always informative and entertaining. As others have pointed out the video’s are cool but if they limit your narrative then that is unfortunate.
Keep up the good work.
Patrick
December 17, 2011I’ve been reading your blog for several years. While I appreciate your composition of image and word in general, I particularly enjoy the range of perspectives you bring to all-season adventure, nature and training/racing experiences/physiology…might be best to have some parameters around breadth of political discussion (though, personally I am of like-mind)…in particular, your thoughts on how to approach specific ‘epic’ rides, etc are much appreciated, as they can help some of us who don’t reside in the Western U.S. plan our adventures. Thanks for your on-going efforts…
Bob
December 19, 2011no
Grizzly Adam
December 19, 2011That’s it. You’re out of the will.
Justin E
December 19, 2011I would like to know more about outdoor activities that are fun for the gentleman that also has children and a wife. I just got a mountain bike for the first time ever because your blog has seduced me into the fun time I could be having (I was a road bike man) and it has been great but I still don’t involve the family very much. I would love to hear about activities or opportunities that would help me to introduce my wife and kids to the outdoors so that they will love it as much as I do. Maybe we could try setting up group outings…?