Folo: Web 2.0 And Google

First, thanks to whomever at reddit.com for linking to my ramblings about narcissism, the Web 2.0 and Google yesterday. Many hits as a result. I am more flattered that Nic Carr linked to the post from Rough Type. I also am flattered by others with small blogs who linked to my work as well. There were also many amusing comments left over at reddit.com, which you can read here. Also many comments here on the post itself.

Most commenters missed my global point that the Web 2.0 is essentially creating a mirror world in which narcissists can play in a weird context-free universe and that Google itself also does a fine job of creating its own context-free universe while stripping much revenue away from the mainstream media without adding any real value to the equation. And gets really rich in the process while newspapers are forced to cut staffs and do less reporting with those who are left. But whatever. It's all good 'cuz a bunch of bloggers will fill the gap. Oh sure you will. Gte back to me when you've done your 50th FOIA and then we'll talk.

As a note for those who inferred that I am a bitter unemployed reporter chased from my job by the almighty power of Web 2.0 and Google. You are wrong. I resigned my job in November for reasons of journalistic ethics, pure and simple. Some Seattle blogs noted this (here and here and here). For myself, I have chosen not to comment much beyond this and this. I suppose if I were a true blogger, I would've posted about it in filmic detail because it is all about You. Or the You that is me. But that would've accomplished What? Ugh, maybe another day.

For the few of you who bitched out my blog's clunky design, duly noted. Offer suggestions. Send me code. Make me more like the "I'm a Mac" guy.

For those who suggested that I bite the bullet and paste-up some Adwords, thanks for your thoughts. I wrestle with the fact that I don't think I can successfully control the content of those ads and I just don't know whether I ought to hew to my Libertarian/free market of ideas leanings and let whatever contextual ad run that Lord Google brings my way, or whether I ought to continue to lean on my outmoded reporter way of thinking and have deep reservations about letting ads appear on my site connected with products and treatment modalities for mental health about which I am deeply skeptical. I think I would lose my lunch if somehow an ad for Zyprexa or Seroquel popped up next to one of my posts, right after I had just commented critically upon a study involving said drugs, or the marketing tactics of said drugs' manufacturers.

If someone knows how I can resolve those competing problems, let me know. Otherwise, I may just let a coin toss make the call for me. Which somehow seems to me a most emblematic way to resolve the matter in the context-free world of Google and Web 2.0.

I will likely post tomorrow on one of the most positive experiences I've had in the whole social networking/Web 2.0/we are all one even though we are apart paradigm. It's got it all--teen angst, suicide, absent parents and a happy resolution. Get your minds out of the gutter people.