I'm just very happy to be joining WEPpers with many reunions and to hear everyone's stories … as you all develop your story-telling …
You are welcome to join us ... I hope you will!
As I'm not writing for a reason per se – I thought I'd add snippets that come to mind … either from life itself, or reminders of aspects I might have missed out in earlier blog posts … all 1,200 of them I note …
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| The Thinker - by Auguste Rodin outside the British Library |
Wikipedia's main page today features 'The Thinker' by Auguste Rodin … appropriate for this post and probably me – though I most definitely cannot admit to being in that category … however hard you or I think I might be!
I certainly have learnt from the blog and WEPpers - so much that has changed my thought processes … I do now question in my mind … because others tend not to see the world as I do …
… but my mind as always is open to new ideas … or topics like existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language … about which I have smidgeons of knowledge …
I may include #WATWB type posts too … we shall see … won't we!!
Michel de Montaigne (1570s)
When did blogging start … well it has been suggested in the 1500s … I bet you didn't expect that era … when Michel de Montaigne (1533 – 1592) became known for popularising the essay as a literary genre.
As per the (School of Oriental and African Studies) SOAS article by David Pearson in 2013 … see link … containing lots of interesting thoughts.
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| Montaigne's Tower - the only original part of the Montaigne estate that still stands - it is where Michel de Montaigne's library was located. |
I particularly like the thought (last paragraph) that technology has turbo-charged things that have been done for millennia. Like Writing and Thinking. And Conversation.
I'll enjoy reading everyone's posts over at this the first WEP: Get Together post …
PS - as I have Cornish origins where herrings had been a vital source of food for millennia ... so I was interested to read that the de Montaigne's fortune had been found on herring fishing in the Bay of Biscay ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
41 comments:
Hari OM
I like the idea of blogging starting in the 1500s!!! Happy WEPing to all who participate. YAM xx
Fancy that! Sorry, couldn't resist. I like the way your mind works and the detours you take. They make life interesting.
Hi Hilary. Did you say 1200 posts! Wow. Thank you for that interesting link to David Pearson's article.
-Sonia
Thank heaven... for a minute I thought you said WEF...
That’s very true - communication hasn’t changed, just the methods! There’s nothing new under the sun, as the saying goes.
Logs have been kept for many centuries. The internet just sped things up, it didn't necessarily invent the form. Well, I mean, in this format, sure.
I love that you have an open mind to new ideas, etc. And congrats on over 1200 posts:)
@ Yam - thanks ... it's an interesting thought isn't it & thanks so much for your good wishes ...
@ Janice - I know ... I was somewhat surprised and interested. Appreciate that you 'enjoy' the posts as my mind wanders around ... and yes you're right ... lots of happy detours ...
@ Sonia - yes ... I was somewhat amazed to see it had reached 1200 of my sort of blog posts ... it's been fun though. I'm glad you were interested in David Pearson's article .. thanks ...
@ John - I'm not sure I know what WEF means ... or actually want to know! Great to see you though ...
@ Anabel - yes I'm sure it's the truth ... not much has changed over centuries or millennia ...
@ Liz - I just enjoyed the thoughts put forward in David Pearson's article ...
@ Sandra - since blogging I've had to open my mind to others and their blogs ... so I engage and can appreciate (or not on occasions) ideas I didn't understand ... but learnt to appreciate/ understand ...
Cheers - thanks so much for your comments ... Hilary
Oh you must have acquired tons of knowledge and insight indeed. Having written so much interesting blogposts. I haven't written that much but felt that when I had to do some research for one that was the most fun as you learned something. Who would have thought that blogging was that old Yes I actually like technology as you have access to so much knowledge and fun stuff
Blogging from the 1500s must have included some interesting ideas!
The Thinker by Rodin is an excellent choice because he is nude and deeply thoughtful. No male violence, no hiding behind heavy clothing and no trivial activities.
hels comment is so funny and so right on!
Love your post too, 1200 blogs. Not surprised at all! You are an amazing woman!
Love you dearly, and thanks so much for participating! We have quite the community!
Congrats on 1200 posts... now I wonder how many I have written in 11 or 12 years of blogging!
I like "The Thinker," but wonder about the way he leans on his hand. Most of us I think would bend the wrist the other way. Was that more normal then? Or was he somehow accommodating the way his materials worked?
@ Marja – yes I've definitely improved my knowledge base over these past years … while you're right about accepting that the techie advantage is good for us … certainly it has been for me, and has changed my perspective on so much about life …
@ Jemi – as you mention back in the 1500s, when our broad knowledge base was rapidly expanding via Gutenberg's printing press (about 1440) … so much to discuss – so much for us to appreciate 500 years later …
@ Hels – exactly … the Rodin sculpture makes us think … while giving us those aspects you've highlighted.
@ Renee – thanks – Hels always has pertinent comments to make. I was surprised at the 1200 blog posts – let alone the length of time I've been blogging.
You, Denise, and all WEP administrators have built up this community for us to participate in … once I got stuck in … I've enjoyed the challenges given via the prompts … thank you: all.
@ Rebecca – yes I wonder how many you've written … I think, for those of us who've been sticking with blogging as a form of writing – additional or not – the time frame and quantity of posts has amazed each of us …
Interesting about your thought on the positioning of his hand – I think it's the right way round, but couldn't hold my head in my hand for very long … I wonder if he got up and walked around to build those muscles up … we will never know, will we …
Thanks for joining us with this new WEP monthly togetherness … cheers to you all - Hilary
1200 posts is very impressive Hilary and I love the quirkiness of your information - very QI :) Here's to the next 10 years.
You are quite right. The origins of blogging go back a long way, we just didn’t have terminology for it the way we do today. The internet has connected us all; as a consequence, Hilary we have all got to know you and take pleasure in your posts. Long may it continue. All the best - David
1200 posts and you've kept us thinking. I am grateful for your wanderings and musings.
I love the statue of the thinker, I often sit in that position and wish my brain would think the way it used to. So many blanks in it these days!!
I see in a couple of days I will have been blogging for 14 years!
Cheers, best wishes from Windhoek, Diane
@ Fil - thanks ... I just enjoy my blogging ... but it's only possible from others' support - really makes my day seeing complimentary comments. And yes - here's to the next 10 years ...
@ David - thanks ... that article really triggered my imagination - I've learnt so much over the years and learnt from other fun and interesting bloggers - lucky us. The internet has certainly opened up doors/windows for any of us who wish to connect ... I feel privileged to be a part of this generation. As I mentioned to Fil ... I hope to keep going ...
@ Joanne - 1200 posts x 500 words (some many more) give me 600,000 words ... quite extraordinary in my book ... too wordy I guess!! I really appreciate your support ...
@ Diane - gosh how fortunate you are to be in Windhoek ... I'd love to be there - to see the changes ... and to think a la 'The Thinker'. I have to say I think I"m lucky with my brain - very fortunate.
Yo've been going a long time - 14 years is no mean feat ... I can't count - mine could be 17 years going on 18 ... I seem not to be able to add or subtract one anymore (perhaps my brain isn't as clever as I think it is?!)
Thanks so much for your visits ... I will be round to catch up with everyone ... cheers Hilary
It sometimes feels as if I've been blogging since 1500! Where do the years go? I've always been aware of WEP but for some reason, never become involved. It clearly means a lot to its participants. I'm really looking forward to your next 1200!
That's interesting about the essay genre, too. I don't read a lot of them. Thanks, Hilary, for another good read.
Hi, Hilary - I am still sad that Blogger has kicked me off your email list. I miss way too many of your posts this way!!
Speaking of posts, congratulations on your 1,200 blog entries. That is incredible.
And also incredible is that blogging started in the 1500s. Seriously, who knew?
I continue to learn a great deal from your posts which is why I love hanging out here!
I wouldn't rest my chin on my hand that way around in reality, but I think that pose expresses "thought" more than if his hand was the other way.
BTW - I can't see that statue now without bringing to mind the second Night at the Museum movie :)
@ Keith - yes I know ... 1500AD doesn't seem that long ago does it ... even if we're only thinking about this century! You've got lots of other projects going on ... so can understand why WEP didn't register per se. Once I got into the swing of things and realised I didn't need to completely comply I was very happy participating. My next 1200 posts - well I guess one at a time ... ?! They will slowly be written ....
@ Jacqui - I thought you'd be interested in that genre - there are plenty of essays around ... I'm thinking Orwell's ... but of course lots of others - and on many different subjects ...
@ Donna - sorry - I am going to do a private email list ... I started but it didn't work - so need to re-address ... January was a muddly month and later this month, once that eases off, I'll get to grips with it ...
I'm thrilled that you're so happy to be here ... and appreciate your comments - I can't even believe 'blogging' began five hundred years ago ... but makes so much sense. It is writing after all - mostly shorter and sweet posts ... whereas back then I expect they were wordier if they wrote essays as we understand them ...
@ Ian - I agree that sculpture outside the British Library is pretty exceptional in expressing 'thought' - serious thought at that ...
I can't say I think of the second film 'Night at the Museum' - now of course I will!
Cheers to the four of you ... thanks for being here and your interesting pertinent comments - Hilary
That is so interesting. Now I won't stop thinking about how blogging has been around for centuries.
Writing and communication was a lot more challenging back in the day. We sometimes forget how easy and smooth communicating now is for us.
@ Susan - great to see you here ... and I know I was surprised at the centuries of blogging ... strange, but true apparently ...
@ Sandra - you're so right ... writing must have been a passion for essayists, or authors etc. I know I couldn't write my blog or achieve the little I've achieved with it - without it being easy - and thus easy to relate to friends whom I relate to over the internet ... thank goodness for this technology.
Cheers to the two of you ... thanks for your comments - Hilary
It's fascinating that essays were used as we use blogs today all the way back to the 1500s. Good on you for finding this info. Have a grand one.
I like how your mind writes. You are an interesting writer. Keep doing it!
Teresa
@ Sandra - it is odd to think that 500 years ago the concept of expressing one's thoughts on paper, are now likened to a blog post - no doubt a proper essay too, etc ... I was surprised to find the information and knew it'd resonate ...
@ Teresa - thank you ... my mind does wander around - and I enjoy putting my eclectic thoughts onto paper for anyone interested to read. Good to see you blogging again ...
Cheers to you both - Hilary
That's amazing that the essay dates that far back!
And absolutely...tech has turbo-charged many things. It feels like everything is sped up.
The 1500s. I definitely didn't think it reached that far back, but it makes sense. :)
Do you know who first came up with the word "blog"? I remember it used to be "online log" or something then just turned into the short version. My first blog was on AOL, if you can believe it. I wrote it for my kids, but when AOL disappeared so did my blog. It's nice that Google is keeping their format alive and active for those of us who still enjoy it.
Blogging has been around that long? I'm way behind. ;)
@ Elizabeth - I was somewhat amazed to find this bit of history out ... and yes - turbo-charged is the word ... so fast! But fascinating to be a part of ...
@ Tyrean - oh I quite understand ... way too far back ...
@ Karen - I understood it stemmed from a ship's log ... but on looking it appears there's another link - which I may write about ... as an easy post! I can believe the AOL part ... I just simply couldn't get to grips with things and needed help even to set up my blogger blog. I'm surprised AOL lost your earlier blog - especially as it's still going. But yes - thank goodness for Google and Blogger ...
@ Jean - surprise, surprise ... amazing connection, isn't it ...
Cheers to the four of you ... thanks for being here - Hilary
The fact that the tower is still standing is amazing. The stories the walls could tell....
Well, to be honest, if I had to choose one piece of art to represent what best represents your blog, I would pick The Thinker!! You do a lovely job of keeping things interesting while keeping us informed. Have a lovely day!
Hope you're having a grand weekend.
Cheers,
@ Sandra - thanks for both your comments ... you're always so good at coming past. I know it's amazing how long some of those ancient buildings still stand, and occupied (if possible) ... and yes most definitely - stories and stories to tell via the walls: I'd love to hear ...
Things being sorted out ... so life is still ticking along - weekend and all!
@ Rosey - that's amazing ... thank you so much. When I started blogging I knew I had to do things slightly differently ... which has meant I've been teaching myself as I go along ... I learn so much - and am so chuffed other bloggers enjoy visiting ...
Thanks to the two of you ... cheers for now - Hilary
Have you ever seen The Thinker in person at the Rodin museum in Paris? I was surprised by how big it was! (Bubba and Squirt see The Thinker in my new book, Bubba and Squirt's City of Bones.)
Hi Sherry - I haven't ever seen the Rodin sculpture in Paris ... only the one outside the British Library - where it stands over the entrance square. I can imagine that Bubba and Squirt would see the sculpture when they visited Paris ... the catacombs must be incredible to see and to explore ... I'd love to visit them sometime.
Bubba and Squirt's books look to be such fun for the kids - good luck with them - cheers Hilary
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