Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
I’m a freelance journalist via Kansas, Chicago, New York, currently based in Beijing. My China blog,
Heart of Beijing, was started in the spring of 2008 in the run-up to the Olympics. I was here reporting for ESPN The Magazine’s
website and decided to stay after the party ended. I have quite a bit of family here and a growing network of friends.
Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
Continue to grow — absolutely. I’m embarrassed by the stuff I’ve written in the past precisely for this reason. Unlike athletes, who peak relatively early in their lives, I feel writers can and should continue to improve long past middle-age. It’s a process, and part of the process is always knowing you have something bigger and better to strive for.
I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
I suppose the day my Kansas City Royals blog,
In Dayton We Trust, got linked to by Deadspin was a big deal. Some of the best blogging work I’ve done has been for that site. Also, my personal blog,
The Tao’s Head, has some personal essays from the first month of its existence that I’m still sorta proud of. And since you have me linking to my own blogs, check out the first couple of weeks of work from my
Beijing Ultimate blog.
What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
I link to the good work they do.
If you had to describe life as a blogger in a Twitter message (140 characters) what would you say?
What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
I would never use the word “exciting” to describe anything politicians do. They spend half their office lives trying to extend their office lives, and the ones who are “innovative” are the ones savvy enough to hire young staff members. But if you mean what’s the coolest use of technology among those who cover politics… yes.
Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
Probably not. Unfortunately, new technology has already been taken for granted. “Social networking” is a phenomenon to observers only, watching from the outside; those living life are embroiled in it and use it as off-handedly as we use email. And they’re using it for a lot of other things besides politics.
What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
It’s written by me. Other than that, nothing sets my site apart from others.
If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Social support (upbringing in a middle-class suburb, supportive parents, good friends, etc.). Everything else — personal ambition, education, luck — is secondary to the environment in which these attributes are given room to flourish.
What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
A 25-year-old speaking about this wouldn’t be very endearing to your readers, I’m afraid. Ask me again in 20 to 40 years.
If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
1. Paris
2. London
3. Tokyo
(Please note that I’ve picked three travel destinations I’ve not been. There are several other places I would recommend, but I’ll leave that for another time.)
What is your favorite book and why?
Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy. If you haven’t read McCarthy yet, you should.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Face.
Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
Can’t think of anyone…
How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Let me know when you find out! (Actually, it seems pretty simple… get 10,000 hits a day, sell ads and t-shirts.)
Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
Uh, yeah. But that “awful lot of time” is spent on blogging, so, I guess, no, they wouldn’t have a lot of time on their hands.
What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
The same thing non-bloggers can do: respect yourself and others.
Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
No way I can pick just five … this is a trick question, anyway. How do you define blogger, since all journalists seem to have blogs these days? Would you call Deadspin a blog, or has it become big enough to be considered a “website”? I’m not so interested in these labels…
Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
There are plenty that have gotten powerful reactions from people. Not sure there’s one that stands out from the rest.
What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
Unfortunately I have never visited Pakistan and therefore have no impression of its people. I don’t judge people based on news reports.
Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
I’ve been awfully impressed by a lot of different bloggers, yes.
What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
Basic living conditions. Can you imagine if Americans had to use squat toilets? Yet in developing nations, people do it without thinking twice. Can you imagine if Americans didn’t have 200 channels and all-you-can-eat buffets? You get my drift…
What is the future of blogging?
I think we all know the answer to this question. More and more talented people are going to get blogs, and the really great blogs are going to rise to the top while the mediocre ones remain where they are. A natural bell curve will form, and all of us will be more enriched for it.
You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Not sure it’s really affected either.
What are your future plans?
Stay in Beijing for at least a year and see what happens. Hopefully I’ll get more assignments like my recent one for Deadspin, where I got to
follow Stephon Marbury for a week.
Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Thank you for reading.
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