So, let's explore that notion, shall we? First of all, the web is totally self-directed in terms of traffic. Those who surf the web only go to those sites that please them. Not to say that there's anything wrong with that, but it is different from traditional media. With traditional media, the number of choices is much more limited. On the web, there are unlimited number of potential "churches" someone can attend. Come to think of it, the number exceeds the actual physical number of "brick and mortar" churches, as well as the usual choices that the traditional media offers.
It would seem therefore, that those who can attract traffic tend to do so by setting up their own "church". Their church will attract the viewership needed for a viable business model. But, as with any business model, the church needs enough of an audience in order to sustain itself. Come to think of it, any church is like that. The major media is like a church too.
Those of you reading this may object to the term "church". The term is used rather loosely to be sure. But it does seem to be like a church, because it is all driven by some type of belief, or belief system. A belief system is in the plural. It means, in this context, a number of beliefs that are attached to each other that would enable it to become viable as a community. Well, you know, community is not a unknown word on the web. However, the use of the word "church" has not been commonly used to describe it. But if you were to think it over, what drives the traffic to any site is the common and shared beliefs in a particular community.
If the term "church" is too bothersome, then think of it as a community. The community, however, will have to have some shared values and beliefs. Otherwise, why go there? There are so many other places to go, what should anyone come to your site if it is all about nothing. It has to be about something, even if it is only meant to be entertaining. If Seinfeld is your thing, there's bound to be one out there to service that preference.
What kind of community have we got here? Not much of one, judging by the audience numbers. This is what needs to change or this church will have to shut down.
So what is this blog all about then? Judging by the posts in the labeled categories, which can be observed in a cloud type arrangement, this blog is about 3 major topics and a few dozen minor ones, to wit:
- Videos and movies
- Politics
- Space
Movies can illustrate by means of the arts some message that needs to be expressed. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a movie could be worth a million.
Politics is the means by which decisions get made. You can't do much without a community. If you have a community, that makes it a political force. With a political force at your disposal, things can get accomplished.
Space is a way to solve the problems that face us all. It is at the core of this belief system. So, in a nutshell, that could be the entire problem. Somehow, you've got to get people to believe that space will solve our problems. If you can't do that, you can't get a community. If you can't get a community, you can't do anything politically. Which in the end means you can't do much of anything at all.
I've purposefully avoided using the first person singular. That ends with this paragraph. Since I write the blog, all this responsibility belongs to me. Frankly, I don't know that I can do all of this. Or much of it. I'm not a politician, nor do I want to be. I'm not a pastor, nor do I want to be. I am willing to write about it as best I can, but how far can that take you? Maybe not too far. My style is not to be a leader, nor am I a very good follower sometimes. Maybe more often than sometimes. I am a rather imperfect instrument for this and I know it. But do it somehow, I must if I am to succeed.
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