Nestled within the annals of my notes is “The long view of blogs,” followed by my wondering whether a blog could be a magnum opus. I later coalesced these ideas into the “long view” of a blog. I imagine this as thinking about the blog not as any single post, but rather as the collection of all works over time; the contents and presentation
When I am writing a blog post, I am exploring what’s on my mind today. It may be a new idea that I have been thinking about over the last few hours or days, an elaboration of a topic I have explored in my writing in the past, or a new way of thinking about something that I have struggled to understand or explain in the past. Indeed, ideas are rarely thought of on the day: they are the result of many experiences that came before; of thinking and rethinking, playing, discussing, exploring.
Over time, I have a collection of these. My blog becomes a reflection of my ideas and how they have grown.
I have written about moments of joy. On reflection, every one of those posts has become a significant part of me as a writer. I may not remember each story individually, but the impression the moments had – which I can re-live through my words – sticks with me.
From the night of February 16th, 2023, when I penned “As I was preparing for bed, I started thinking about the moments that spark joy in every day life.”, I embarked on an adventure that would last years and carry on to become an increasing part of my identity. Midnight thoughts became words. I realised part of my identity.
I hope that my moments of joy writings will be perpetually evergreen, documenting the timeless nature of how brilliant humanity can be, and how small moments can warm our hearts to a great extent.
My writings on programming have evolved from being focused mostly on the web to much more, within which there lies a story of growth. I am increasingly challenging myself to learn new things, and documenting what I learn as I go.
While it is hard to remember the contents of a specific programming post, I know there are many to which I can point that document what I have learned, what I have tried, approaches of solving problem. I have bookmarks of my understanding of a topic at a given time. I sometimes cite my works in discussions with others as a place to learn more about a topic I have thought a lot about.
I am delighted by the prospect that one of my blogs may help someone learn something new or think about something in a different way.
The modality and presentation of content is part of the long view of my blog, too. My use of playful background images was a manifestation of how I want to blend the fun and the serious – that the two can co-exist. My progression onto a more simple theme with no playful background was made with the intent that I keep playfulness in another way. Hence, the mascot with a coffee cup on its head that sticks its tongue out.
The long view of the blog is arguably personal and perhaps only the author of the blog can tell what that story is – one of growth, of resilience, of exploration, of wonder, of discovery, of creation, of challenging, or whatever applies to the type of writing you do. It changes over time, too: with every new change and entry, the garden of the blog grows.
I encourage you to think: how has your blog changed over time? What is your long view of your blog? You don’t have to share it with anyone – some stories are best kept by you, for you.
All together, my blog is a place I can go to explore new ideas, and grow into a garden of those ideas. My blog helps me express a fundamental part of my identity: my passion for making things and for sharing knowledge and ideas with others.
