My friend Yvonne messaged me on Twitter re a discussion that was happening on ProBlogger last night. I was so busy with my Julia Gillard worrying I didn’t look at it until this morning. Wow. It was about something I had never even considered. Does age matter in the blogging world? You can read the post over there, but the bare bones of it are this :
A lady who has been blogging since 2009 fears that if her readers know she is 51 they will click away.
I wonder if this is a perceived problem, rather than an actual problem. I must say, the only time I consider my age is when I trumpet it to anyone who will listen. I never really think about it, except in good terms. And I feel it is my duty to not be coy about the fact that I am no longer 25. I am 41. I am defining my age by my actions, not by outdated (!) stereotypes. But anyway, that’s a whole other pie filling. All that aside, ProBlogger got me thinking. Here is what I thunk.
Age doesn’t matter. The point about blogging is that we can be our best selves, regardless of location, age, looks, gender or perceived disabilities. It is about being accepted for exactly who we are : or at the very least who we choose to put out there. On the whole I think great blogging is about imparting information and sincere points of view based on personality, style, experience, voice and knowledge. I really don’t feel that age comes in to it at all. Maybe I protest too much?!
The beauty of the blogging community is that we get to cherry pick the very best words and pictures from the people that interest us most. It is a completely level playing field, where the clever, entertaining, dedicated and interesting are the winners. The internet is an all-in information free-for all. An access all areas digital classroom for those lucky enough to have web access. We are not divided into age groups, ability groups or even areas of interest as we may be in imposed educational institutions. Rather, it’s an open classroom where we create our own boundaries.
I read blogs written by people. Some are lady people. Some are man people. Sometimes I know how old they are. Sometimes I don’t. Rarely do I care. For me it’s all about wallking the walk, not talking the talk. If you like the kinda stuff I like, I reckon I might like you. Regardless of if you are 22 or 72. I think both ends of the age spectrum have much to offer, and I would never look at advanced age as a handicap in the blogging department. I would love to read a rad, crafty blog written by a 72 year old. I like rad, crafty stuff.
I wonder what you think? Tell me do. Or tell ProBlogger, because basically I stole his question and put it over here. I’m a tough cookie like that. Hope he doesn’t mind.
xx Pip