In Praise of Networking
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One of the things insuring the presence of longtime MOGgers at the site - beyond the obvious give and take about favorite music, and the access to relevant sound streams and videos - is a sense of community. They're not called Trusted MOGgers for nothing. I really am happy and even a little excited when a respected member of the MOG citizenry comments on a thread of mine, or responds to a comment that I make on any particular thread in the MOG-o-Sphere.
But the addition to MOG of the off-site bloggers who comprise the MOG Music Network (MMN) was met with wariness by more than a few MOG vets. And the sheer volume of MMN output was rather daunting to some core MOGgers who felt that the uniqueness of the site and the amount of original MOG content would be markedly diminished by the influx of outside bloggers.
I reserved judgment on the MMN until I began to realize how many valuable tidbits of news (including squibs on album releases and tour info), pithy mini-reviews, and access to new and interesting music I was getting from the Network's contributors with just a cursory look at MOG's home page. If I notice references to artists I like, I click on. If not, I'm back to MOGging as usual.
A few weeks back, I got an early heads-up on the second album by The Bird and The Bee (to be released later this month), as well as a link to their delightful one-off cover of Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" - courtesy of MMN members Kickin' the Peanuts and HARDCANDY.
I'm sure I'm not the only old-school MOGger benefiting from the occasional visit to the Network. Some say, "Why?" I say, "Why not?"
And I'm not the only one extolling access to information. U.K. rock-and-roll singer-guitarist-producer Dave Edmunds (who partnered with new-wave-turned-roots-music singer-songwriter Nick Lowe in the '80s band Rockpile) went all power-pop with his 1983 single "Information" (a collaboration with Jeff Lynne of the Traveling Wilburys, Electric Light Orchestra, and The Move). In keeping with the spirit of this post (and just for fun), I thought I'd dredge up a clip of the song to inform you of how quintessentially "1980s" certain music videos of the '80s could be:
Comments (19)
There's tons of fun stuff on the MMN..and I'm also heartened that many of them have joined MOG as "themselves" in order to get involved with commenting..which is at the crux of the sites' appeal to me..I hope that trend continues, helping the community grow and meld.
i personally enjoy all the remixes that come up.
I agree -- you can click on Mogs only -- if you only want to read Mog posts, too.
The song is real blast from the past. I am old enough to have seen Dave touring behind this record at First Ave. in Mpls.
Here, here, Mr. Mike! I've found it quite enlightening and fun to cruise the MMN Only listings and pick up some tasty tidbits. I'm glad to see more of them interacting with the MOG-O-Sphere. I discovered, though, that having them turned on in the notifications, quickly fills up the ol' inbox. It's easier to just cruise them when I have time or put them on the RSS feed reader.
Cody B: Yes indeed. Come join in the fun, MMNers, and make the joint jump even more.
Charley: True. Another asset to enjoy, for those of us clubby types who are so inclined.
funoka: It's designed for choice. I choose to investigate the MMN posts now and again, and I'm better off for it. As for Edmunds, I've always been a fan, regardless of what he's stylin'. Last time I saw him in person was during a concert cruise on the Riverboat President in New Orleans. Doesn't get much better or more rockin' than that!
L.M.I.: Speaking of cruises. I agree about the notifications, but I do enjoy having the MMN as a resource. (Waitaminnit. Is that Lady Bunny serving as your current avatar? Are you both from the same aristocratic lineage?)
I don't usually check out MMN posts myself, although I have occasionally, but their presence has never bothered me. It's easy enough to pretend they're not here with the filters, that it's never hindered my MOGging, really. However, my infrequent through the MMN posts has given me news I could use, sometimes, so I guess in the sense of more good than bad, I'm perfectly alrigth with it.
I go both ways on MMN, sometimes I filter it off, sometimes I pick up something I would not otherwise. I do think there is a higher ratio of (ahem) less interesting stuff from MMN posts, but recognize that it helps pay for our playpen or maybe asylum. Can I get my medicine now? Thank you
As a old school mogger (but not as old school as some of you) first, and MMNer 2nd, I would like to sing the praises of being both a mogger and MMNer. Sadly, I've neglected both, outside of commenting. It seems when someone isn't paying me to sit in front of a computer all day, this damn other life has caught up with me. I still day dream while doing dishes, or cleaning that I'm composing posts and writing about some transcendental music experience I've had - but this to is short lived as they've yet to create a networking cable that I can plug into my skull and downoad these fantasy posts.
I can hear you mog, from the shadows, I still love you.
Groon: You're an egalitarian man. As I might put it, MOG and let MOG.
BerkeleyBob: Nurse? Meds! Stat! (Actually, I'd agree that there's a leetle more self-indulgence from some in the MMN gang - but who am I to call the kettle black?)
contrabandwidth: Trying to have it both ways, huh? We still love you, too, c.b.w.
Admittedly I wasn't too keen on MMN at first but I have been able to find out news that I may not have known just relying on my trusteds.
And there you have it!
Sorry I didn't have any revelatory insights but wanted to chime in nonetheless.
I wasn't so keen on the MMN either, but I use them, it's all down to how you filter....
August: What do you mean? You reinforced my argument. That's good enough for me.
Neill: Filter or non - smoke 'em if you've got 'em.
II do like to add something new to a convo but sometimes the ol' brain isn't as witty as I'd like it to be.
Wisdom will do just as well as wit, if not better.
True, I'd rather have the wisdom over the wit anyday!
The MMN appears to be here to stay, and I've gotten used to the idea. Mostly I filter them out, because I just don't have time to cruise all those posts. Plus, the percentage of those that are interesting to me is very low. Still, when I'm caught up on the MOS and have a little extra time I go in unfiltered.
Yep. It doesn't take but a click of the mouse to check 'em out or not. I can do that, so it's all good to me.