1 month on the indie web and my complex analogies
Who knew coding could be so much fun? Recently, I found the smallweb and have been obsessed (obviously). Most of my in-between moments have been spent scrolling through Neo-Cities or hopping around the discovery page here on BearBlog. I found so many interesting essays, articles, and a lot of poetry. My favorites are usually the more experimental sites, the ones that kind of give an ARG vibe like the Vega Collective. Or the ones where it seems like someone has dumped their entire brain onto a webpage ( Bundle of Styx 's site comes to mind). From what I've seen the smallnet is alot older and ALOT younger than I thought was possible. And it all seems to vary wildly by platform. (I would lovvvveee to see the demographics of these sites, however I bet most of it is unavailable due to the privacy provided by the sites themselves.)
I also love all of the vocab that is out there, like webweavers and gardens. Also, the grammar is quite lax on most of these sites. And for someone who fell asleep during her grammar lesson in second grade, and never re-taught herself, it's wonderful. (I will put commas wherever I feel like it, thank you).
I want insight into the general temperature of the small net. But I have yet to find a way to do so. On platforms like Twitter I feel it's very simple to get the general vibe of a space, but because the small net spread across different platforms, it's hard to make a judgment. Though, I guess that could be a perk. For those trying to avoid opinion, consolidation. Or, as my media professor would say, the flattening effect.
Still, I'm desperate to find out more. Every link feels like I'm hunting for the next alcove of treasure. Like, the perfect site for me is just around the corner. I just have to click the right buttons to get there.
I also wanna know the demographics because I want to know if I'm really shouting into void. Twitter, (please humor me and my analogies) is like shouting at a busy party. No one's really paying attention to you, and everyone has their own agenda. The only way you'll get attention is if you break the host's lamp.
Instagram truly feels like the art section of a state fair. There is beautiful things to see, but no one's talking about that. Everyone's talking about who's gonna win the 'blue ribbon', what they're gonna eat after this, and what shit's happening next-door.
Tumblr, feels like the after party of Twitter. A little less people, much quieter, but the opinions are just as poignant. And you still can't really hear anyone. Plus, people seem alot more somber.
Reddit, I feel has maintained its energy as an after school science fair. Everyone there thinks they're smart, everyone there thinks they're smarter than the person next to them. But at the end of the day, it's the volcano that wins first place based on the fact that it was louder than everyone else.
Facebook is an afterschool car line and I will not be expanding on that.
But the indie web? I don't know. It's hard to find an analogy that encapsulates everything. Maybe a restaurant staff? People of all different backgrounds and ages just trying to make a living and having a little camaraderie? It as the chaotic energy that affect most of the web, but is somehow more controlled and together. I'm not sure.
I'll figure it out eventually. Analogies, for me, are the easiest way to make sense to the world. And second to that is writing them down. I'll keep you updated.