The other day, I ran into Starbucks to grab a latte. It was mid-afternoon on a Saturday and, as usual, Starbucks was hoppin’.
As I waited for my coffee, I looked around. Every table and seat was filled with people talking with each other. I gently tuned into the conversations that were close by (yes, I was easy-dropping). At one table, two girls were talking about their college Chemistry class. At another three guys were discussing investment ideas. I heard two women talking about gardening, a couple discuss their wedding plans, and a dad sharing stories with his two twenty-something daughters.
Then it hit me…this is what I see every moment in the blogosphere.
People were sitting together, relaxed, having enjoyable conversations about a number of different topics. They weren’t selling or out-duel each other. They were openly sharing their ideas and views. And that led to all these different conversations happening inside one medium-sized room surrounded by coffee beans and scones.
The blogosphere is exactly like this – just on a much larger scale. The blogosphere is a ‘room’ of limitless size where people can have conversations with each other about limitless topics. The only difference is you’re free and welcome to move in and out of conversations at will – something that would probably not go over too well if you were at Starbucks.
So I ask you, is the blogosphere the next evolution of the coffee house?
Very much so!
I think you’ve made a great observation on this.
The best part about it is having the freedom to move from one convo to the next without any mean looks:)
And just imagine when someone merges an iMac with an espresso machine and a miniature oven to bake scones with…
Ryan,
That’s what I’m sayin’. I think as more people understand that blogging is about connection, relationship and conversation, we’ll see a change in how we relate to each other – just as we did when coffee houses got big in the States.
Adam,
From your fingers to Steve Jobs’ eyes. Just think, Apple could do a co-brand with Starbucks.
Blogging may be the evolution of coffee houses, but I won’t be truly happy until the blogosphere serves up a decent, open source cappucino that loads of people put time and effort into but that costs nothing.
Then again, if that happens, I’ll probably never leave home again!
Adam, I think you’d better add in a Palm so we can stay connected while listening, drinking and eating.
Dawud, congratulations on reaching 1000 comments. How quickly you have gotten there is testimony to what you are saying here. You are always worth reading and interacting with.
Stuart Baker
http://www.consciouscooperation.com
I think it open up a lot of conversations that. You connect with people. I would say that you don’t have to be rude to people with blogging if you want to talk to people then it’s easy to change the conversation. Is it the next starbucks, I think I’d be much happier with Seattles best.
Oh yes, coffee corners everywhere you ‘click’.
Dawud, I also always ‘eavesdrop’ in real life (never know when a network – business opportunity is around the next coffee corner ;-)) and do the same on-line in fact.
Phil,
Sounds to me like you’re talking about WordPress.
Karin H.,
Thanks for backing me up. I was concerned I that I’m the only one who ease-drops from time to time.
Great observation Dawud. I am starting my morning with a great cup of coffee (thanks to my Keurig & Newmans Own Organic coffee) and popping in and out of conversations all over the blogosphere. No need to go to Starbucks for this – it no longer measures up.
I’m after the template tag <?php wp_serve_coffee(); ?>
Maybe someone will write a plugin…
I guess it is, and in some ways that’s wonderful, when you can go out and have conversations with others who you might never interact with.
On the other hand, with the internet providing so many different ways to avoid in person contact, how is it going to impact interpersonal relationships and the way that we as human beings develop in the future?
Char,
Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. Nothing against Starbucks. I’m just very pro-blogging (not to be confused with probloggers). Anything that brings people together, peacefully, to enjoy and get to know each other better – I’m all for.
Phil,
One thing that’s great about WordPress…put the idea out there and some developer somewhere will create a plugin. Now it’s out there, let’s see what happens.
Susan,
I’ve thought of that too. I know that I much more enjoy face-to-face conversation than I do computer-to-computer conversation. The web is great, but I wonder, too, how it will continue to change the ways we interact with each other.
good job i like.
Yeah, blog being popular these days, it’s become daily routine
Blogging is big these days and I am sure it will replace the traditional media we have today.