The easiest way to explain the blog landscape is with a desert analogy. Picture a desert — hot searing sun, dusty wind and shimmering heatwaves. At the center of the desert is a mansion. Rich green fields, marble statues and fountains. And a dark iron gate, surrounding the property. Throughout the day the mansion is a hive of activity; traders and visitors shuffling in and out, plopping coins into the fountains.
And every day the mansion offers tours to its guests. In a caravan they ply their way to the little dark corners and caves of the desert to see odd things; slices of paradise in the barren desert. They snake in and snake out. As the caravans pass by peddlers, artists, salesmen and hucksters line their trail, making the occasional deal and receiving the odd handout; a coin tossed or even a long glance. Most of the mansion’s guests avert their eyes and follow the caravan to the point of interest.
And this happens day in and day out. The mansion gets greener and richer, attracting more visitors and traders. The cracked desert does not change. It gets what it can, and it’s a wonder the ground itself doesn’t fall and bend under the weight of the mansion that sits on it.
