Generations

There is so much to read, and so much of it is so good that it is so captivating. Sometimes, you find yourself becoming a blog's best fan overnight! You can't get enough of some one's writings, style, or personality

With that came several generations of bloggers, each with a different idea and different approach and goals in mind. Some went for fame, some for rallied for causes. Some preferred to keep it simple, while others chose to be personal. In each case there were successes. And there are plenty others who swing between all disciplines, from personal, to informational.

There was a time when I used to think, this thing is like the hierarchy of a corporation, there is no easy way to get to the top. Little did I know that it's such a dynamic environment that your position is never guaranteed. One day you could be at the top, the next day the bottom, and vice versa. It's just not possible to maintain the lead in blogs especially when there is so much competition.

Sure, some creative inspiring writer will have a lot of readers, but they will pale in comparison to people reporting about some hot new issues. And both are no match for syndicated, organised online publications with formal foundation in journalism and scientific approach to the whole online publication thing.

Yet, there's a certain allure that a single, simple writer has when he updates his tiny hole in the wall on the web. Many people flock to see this little island of his and see what has happened there. Did that little plant grow ...

You can see distinct generations in the Arab and Jordanian blogosphere. The first and pioneers of the media (but not necessarily the best or the most successful) have been around for a while. They started early, some have evolved from Forums to their own blog space. And carried on

It's the success of the first generation that caused another wave of bloggers to emerge. Equipped with more understanding on what to do, and with the abundance of tools to assist them in blogging they thrived, an slightly diminished the star of the first generation since the former generation had legacy and "luggage" to lug around.

The next generation came and might have not been as successful due to the overwhelming competition and the identity key question, should we blog in Arabic, or English...

A later generation opted to pick one, and just run with it. Some have been writing in Arabic or English, but some even maintained separate Arabic and English blogs.

Then came the age of enlightenment, the generation that saw professional journalist converge on the new trait, stealing the lights from the former generations.. But they lacked the technical skills so eventually they kind of lost the lead to the next generation of organised, balanced bloggers that pack technical and some journalistic skills

And finally, the most recent overwhelming tsunami of blogs, it's so huge that it has undoubtedly shaken the very foundation of the Arab and Jordanian blogosphere with hundreds if not thousands being introduced every month. Each as aggressive as ever to gain popularity and gain recognition.

Some do deserve this recognition, there is no doubt about it. But it's like finding a needle in a haystack. And with short track record it makes people a little reluctant to follow on all these new and emerging blogs. But at the end, only the persistent few will make it to the next generation ...

There is no doubt that with every generation, life becomes harder and harder to older generations. They have to compete for the lights, the center stage, equally, with a younger, more enthusiastic crowd, so it's an uphill struggle. But many will continue to enjoy the success.

One thing is certain, there is no critical mass, there is no specific point in success where the perpetual success of the blog will propel it forward ... That's the hard fact, and every generation, needs to learn it the hard way, and live by it's codes.. If they seek to continue to exist by the time more competition from future generations arrive

This was an example from the blogosphere, but could easily be adopted for any other technology ....
"The worst thing you can do ... is stand still"-- Qwaider