The passing of the greats
I’ve been noticing this myself. It's been weird for me. Since I haven’t been actively journaling like Rob, I have a different relationship with the fading away of the “old school crowd.”
I’ve followed them, admired them, related to them and felt part of the scene. But I wasn’t part of the scene. I didn’t keep my own journal, I didn’t attract a following by designing amazing sites for others to be inspired by. I worked on similar projects, I knew what was going on, but I wasn’t out there, on a limb, in the public eye.
I guess I was a groupie in a way. I felt the same passion as they did, but I didn’t put it to use. Basically, I lurked.
I don’t know if that is a bad thing. I’m okay with it, but I feel a little funny about the old masters retreating from the scene. I felt sense of belonging with them that I don't feel any more. And that makes me wistful.
So where to go now? Will I, too, fade away before I ever run out of things to say? Have I lived my moments with the web? Or will I finally break free from the shadows and end my silence? Am I now following in the footsteps of the people who I thought made all that was interesting and human about the web? Or am I blazing my own trail, making my own fortune, walking down the path of self-exploration through blogging/journaling?
I don’t know. But I'm thankful to those who have showed me the way. Grateful to those who have kindled my passion for web, both as an unique medium and as an extraordinary venue for self-expression. I’m on my way now.
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