A second question raised in this post and this post is why more members of our community have not joined us at the blogging table.
In real life, there's usually a smaller community of individuals within the larger community who choose to be more engaged.
Voting in America demonstrates that point.
Within a school, the same group of students fills positions in a variety of activities (clubs, sports, etc.).
In workplaces, the same group of individuals volunteers to go above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty.
Local government operates the same.
(Sandy Carmany said she had a hard time getting enough people from her district to volunteer to serve on boards. Usually, there are only a handful of candidates; in the past, some politicians have gotten free passes because no one's stepped up to run against them.)
You might want to label it elitism, but even when other people are invited to join the more engaged, a good many simply choose not to do so.
In many cases, it's a matter of competing interests.
Family.
Friends
Work.
Other real-life responsibilities.
Other interests and hobbies.
Do-nothing-but-relax-and-enjoy time.
So if you choose to do one thing, something else gets sacrificed.
If you choose to spend time blogging, what else could you be doing during that time?
I'm sure that's how many people look at it.
Even if there's some interest, there might not be enough to override other interests and commitments.
Some people simply choose to be interested in other things than we're interested in.
Maybe we ultimately just need to be happy with who is here and not worry so much about who's not.
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2 comments:
I had tea with city council candidate Joel Landau yesterday. I asked him why he wasn't blogging. He hasn't because of time and physical stamina. He has many of the competing interests you mention and also explained that he feels physically spent after answering phone calls and emails.
We talked about a lot of other things too, but his desire for greater openness in city government prompted me to encourage him to consider blogging for two reasons. One, I said, was that the unfiltered, direct-to-the-people communications afforded by a blog would be an excellent way for him to bring greater transparancy to his activities as a candidate and to the workings of city government, should he be elected. I also suggested to him that addressing issues and concerns on a blog would likely result in fewer emails and phone calls.
We'll see.
Roch,
I'm hoping he receives serious consideration in this election--and maybe even gets elected.
Joel would bring a different voice to our council, one I increasingly feel is needed--for balance and for other reasons.
Regardless of what someone thinks of his views, I appreciate that he already seems to be working harder on his campaign than some candidates.
I think a blog could take him to another level, if used well. It might at least be worth him finding the time to experiment.
For someone who genuinely wants to serve on the city council, Joel has to understand that he'll have to devote more time and have to develop greater physical stamina if he's voted onto the council.
I hope he follows through on your suggestion and starts his own blog.
I do think he has some strong competition and that he needs every advantage he can give himself.
Sincerely,
Hardy
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