Think about this for a minute.
If you start a podcast…when is it “done?”
If you start a blog…does it have an expiration date, like a carton of milk or a bag of chips?
If you open a Facebook account (or any other social media platform, for that matter)…does it come with a countdown buzzer that eventually gets to zero?
Outside of dying, most people set out online with no clear end date in mind. They wander into this infinite wilderness once called “cyberspace” (which seems so old school now) with high hopes and expectations of something exciting happening.
Making money.
Finding true love.
Fulfilling a dream of writing a daily blog.
Trolling and spamming You Tube videos (yes, as sick as this sounds, there are people who exist online solely for this sadistic purpose).
Rarely do they have an end date in mind, when the Internet and its multiple platforms ceases to exist.
Regardless of original intentions (or lack thereof), these are interesting questions those of us who choose to play in the online space have to consider.
Certainly, some people set out to make a podcast, for example, knowing exactly how many shows they’ll produce. These people do indeed have an end date in mind.
But the majority do not. I make that statement based on my unscientific observations alone, having seen plenty of podcasters who had high hopes of producing hundreds of shows — only to flame out around episode 4, 12, or 23.
Same with bloggers. Aspiring You Tube stars.
Remember Vine?
All those folks who re-purposed their entire LIVES around making highly-produced 6 second videos. Built huge followings. Made a few dollars here and there.
Some, much more than that.
Who are they now?
Did any of them see the end date coming?
Do we?
