Arterial Bloggage
The burger joints of America are hardly the place to go looking for the sharpest tool in the shed. While it's entirely possible that the next Einstein may be, at this very moment, a Tray Toter or Curb Girl or Carhop, it's not probable. I know this. Still, I gotta wonder how well our public schools serve us.
I recently went to the Sonic Drive-In for a late lunch (Sonic is a franchise with a retro-1950s theme; they'll bring your food out to you on a red plastic tray that hooks onto your car window so that you can eat in your wagon).
So I go there and order a Sonic-sized No. 1 deal to go. The total comes to $4.27. Fantastic, because I have a $5 bill and some pennies in my change holder. After a few minutes, this cute young thing about half my age comes out with my order (up close, I see her teeth are straight but she has bad skin and wears too much makeup). She's perky and parrots back my order, adding, "That's $4.27, please."
So I hand her $5.02.
Pause.
She looks, first at me, then uncertainly at the five-dollar bill and the two pennies. She begins to reach for a wad of bills in her apron pocket, but pauses again. Instead, she goes for the shiny silver change maker hanging at her hip.
"I owe you a quarter, right?"
I smile. "No."
She giggles and says, "Sorry. I'm, like, having a math-deficient moment."
Some aphorism about Sherlock Holmes begs to be muttered, but I hear myself reply, "Hey, no problem. I haven't had the best of days, either. You owe me 75¢."
"Uh, yeah! 75¢!" She starts punching three quarters out of their silver cylinder. "My math skills aren't all that great."
I smile again, and in the nicest voice I can manage say, "So stay in school."
She blushes. "I, uh, like, already graduated." She presses the three quarters into my hand, then begins to uncertainly point a dollar bill in my direction.
Again I smile. "No, really. Just 75¢."
* * *
What does this true-life anecdote have to do with anything web-related? Everything and nothing: Everything, because so much of the independent web seems to be about sharing with others the minutiae of our daily lives; and nothing, because the independent web is -- and should be -- so much more than that.
A vast audience awaits; you have at your disposal one of the most powerful publishing and content distribution tools the world has ever known.
So, what will you do?
That's a daunting question, and I am continually amazed at how well many have addressed it. Practically every day I find something to admire in a site produced by a someone with vision laboring in relative obscurity. Such individuals are the lifeblood of the independent web. I take my cues from these folks -- people like Zeldman, the mysterious Jo, the incomparable webchick, and countless others.
So, what does the future hold for the web? Beats the hell outta me.
At present, the power and promise of an independent web is best seen in initiatives like the Web Standards Project, but there are many other, less visible efforts (of varying importance) involving cooperation among individuals across a wide spectrum of disciplines, interests and backgrounds. Some that come readily to mind are aortal, Joe Jennett's ageless project and i2k network, Heather Champ's Mirror Project, and, of course, Independents Day (among others too numerous to mention in this space). These sorts of things keep me hopeful about the future of the independent web.
The last year's dot-com implosion -- along with recent world events -- seems to have put a damper on enthusiasm where the web is concerned, but I think this a temporary downturn.
I continually lament that I was born at least 10 years too early -- either that or the web appeared 10 years too late. The web would've been perfect for me when I was in my 20s, when I still had the drive, energy and gobs of free time to devote to all sorts of meaningful personal projects (conceits like a personal website take a back seat to other, more pressing concerns when you have a mortgage and five dependents). I perceive that it's largely the kids who are doing the most compelling stuff out there, sites that absolutely amaze and delight. I can't wait to see in what new directions the up-and-coming generation will take the web.
I envy them.
