My primary reason for blogging is a means to advance my writing on Saint Louis modern architect Harris Armstrong. I’ve certainly made some worthwhile contacts and gotten some interesting feedback, but the idea of “pleasing the crowd” and “maximizing page views” just doesn’t fit my approach to writing and communicating.

I’ve participated in Twitter and Facebook to a limited extent, but have always questioned the implicit assumption that whatever is current should demand our attention. I always try to put things into a longer view perspective. Twenty years from now, who will want to read people’s prolific tweeting on their daily activities? Perhaps a few sociologists and linguists will study them, but what works will stand out as enduring and transcending momentary popularity?

I suspect my blog fits within the general rubric of “slow blogging” in the sense that my posts are sporadic rather than consistently published. In another sense, I do not fit the concept presented in the Times article in that my blog writing is often done in relatively quick, focused bursts of energy rather than being meandering, reflective meditations.

I understand that Twitter, Facebook, The Huffington Post, and other forums with fast, repeated updates will always attract a lot of attention. However, I believe more thoughtful considered readers will crave something of more substance and value.

Andrew Raimist
architectural ruminations