The Resolution Will Not Be Televised
Right, that’s it. I’ve blown it.
Stop the clock.
What is it, January 14?
I am breaking a resolution. It was the one where I said consume fewer media, which I made when I looked at the sheer buttload of stuff I read, listened to and watched.
So I diligently cut back on my newspapers, blogs, tv shows, websites, podcasts and radio shows, thinking that everything would be better somehow.
And it was, but by god it was quiet. I could hear myself think until I thought of nothing. Then I had nothing to write, so for the last couple of weeks, I haven’t had anything to say. Not that I was saying all that much anyway, but people reading, so I wanted to at least say something.
Did I learn anything on my short-lived media diet? Hell yes.
I now know that if nothing’s going in, then nothing’s going to come out. The answer to good writing is influences, not blandness. You can get influences from anywhere, but you can’t get something from nowhere.
My head was made this way - who am I to argue? So bring back the podcasts, charge up the batteries, fire up the wireless and hand me the remote control.
Let’s fill up the old barrel and see what floats to the top.
By the request of my constitution, I’m happier with a head full of information and a screen full of words than the reflection of the moon in a still pool and nothing to contibute.
CS Lewis one said: “If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth.”
Bring on the information.
January 14th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Would chaning your media perhaps result in a similar experience? If you’re worried about thinking about nothing, and you desire serious input, why not read more books? Short storioes, screenplays, plays, librettos, magazines, or something?
One thing I like about you is that no matter what goes in, there’s never garbage coming out.
January 14th, 2007 at 10:53 am
There has been a definite change, Ed. A few tweaks and things, whittling down the information to a fine point. Thanks for the compliment.
January 14th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Sometimes the finer whittling can cost small details. Or not;)
TO be honest I hadn’t noticed any change in quality here.
January 14th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
The most fun in making resolutions is breaking them with a rebellious strike and becoming human again! Welcome back
!
January 14th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Maybe I haven’t had nothing to say, but I’ve been having a harder time saying it.
Did you know that The Wiggles are the highest paid Australian entertainers, above AC/DC and Nicole Kidman?
And we’re back.
January 14th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
I can sympathise. I’ve been trying hard to think about what I’m blogging lately, having read through lots of old material and realising what a load of dross I was writing for the sake of it these past months.
It’s good for you to have detoxed and to realise what the best things for your mind are - maybe you should rephrase your resolution: “Use healthier media”
January 14th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Yeah, but no but Sam. Anyone (ie, you this weekend) who calls the Llandudno Asda “the shopping equivalent of Omaha beach” deserves the respect of their peers, if not their peers’ peers.
Thanks Sooz also, for the warm welcome!
January 14th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
I’ve never heard of the Llandudno Asda.
January 15th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Great witers are also great readers - another reason why I’m not among them - but how do they find time to do both?
Ed, Llandudno is a Welsh Victorian seaside resort once popular with the Liverpool poor, who could get there by ferry. Asda is Walmart’s UK subsidiary. All together not a pretty image.
January 15th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Ah. Things are much clearer now. Thanks Ted.