It’s challenging to realize it’s late October. In contrast with the photo above, coastal Maine (USA) has had temperatures near 80F. The big holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s) will soon be here, and I’m not even close to being prepared for them.
Of course, 2024 has been a whirlwind of changes, especially online and in related technology.
GOOGLE CHANGES THE GAME?
Google is leaning into their own AI answers to questions and topics entered into the search engine.
So far that means less traffic to websites, including mine.
After all, why would anyone keep looking for answers, if it seems like Google’s AI told them what they wanted to know? (Rhetorical question, but also highlights how search engines can effectively mute websites, and most people won’t care.)
Will people switch to DuckDuckGo, or ChatGPT’s search option? Or, will they go to Perplexity, where they at least see links to the sources used for AI answers?
Or maybe YouTube is the answer.
I’m not sure. I’m hoping for a resurgence of personal websites. But, realistically, for most people, time and focus can seem in scarce supply. AI may be the short-term answer.
If the answer is to switch content to podcasts, videos, and YouTube, well, that will take more time, focus, and a fresh plan of action.
For me, that’s something to consider as we approach 2025.
BOOKS AND WEBSITES
I was trying to complete one more book for Halloween since my books are most popular at this time of year. However, with just a few chapters written and a two-inch, overflowing stack of printouts filled with reference materials, that’s not going to happen.
Also, I was trying to restore the Mandela Effect website and update it and moderate comments again. In the month that it’s been back online, traffic has been minimal, and most of the comments have been by Vivek, a long-time friend.
Maybe that’s a topic – or at least a website/archive – that’s past its prime. Comments are closed again, though you can read all past comments.
SOCIAL MEDIA?
Seeing more weird Facebook decisions, I no longer feel that being banned from the site is personal or even makes sense. Either their management is making odd choices, or their AI isn’t as astute as it should be… or both.
What happened to me at Facebook is similar to what – in early November – seems to be happening to friends at other AI-managed sites, including Etsy.
This is troubling, and I’m not sure where it leads. I find the Neo-Luddite topic interesting. It’s not always practical or apparently (?) sensible, but interesting. The anti-social network in NYC may be extreme, but I applaud their efforts to minimize the damage caused by excessive reliance on social media, etc.
I started a Substack to see how I liked it, and if friends would find and follow me there.
My conclusion: For my purposes, Substack is a bit clunky and inconvenient. I’m preparing to phase it out.
I will consider some of Jack Conte’s suggestions from his 2024 SXSW talk. They may not be the best answer for me, but they’re worth considering… in 2025.
NEXT…
Now, I’m taking a break. In the U.S., in addition to having a typically busy year, I’m feeling the same election fatigue many others are.
For me, the answer is to step back and pursue my favorite hobbies and interests, which happen to include researching history related to “haunted” places.
I’m also fascinated by Graham Hancock’s history series on Netflix. SO much related research makes sense.
With other interests singing a siren song, I’d already announced that I’m semi-retired… from topics I’m best known for, anyway.
- The Mandela Effect will remain online for now, but I’m not actively updating or maintaining it.
- As time (and mood) permits, I’d like to turn more of my ghost-related research papers and website articles into topic-specific books.
But… I’m also ready to pursue other interests.
It might be artistic photography at haunted sites. Or, it might be trekking to quirky historical and archaeological sites, with or without ghosts.
Or… I’m not sure yet.
Meanwhile, I’m wishing you a wonderful holiday season, and thank you for your continued interest and support. The friendships made during the past couple of decades have meant the world to me.
I hope our paths cross again in the future.
Over the years,reddit has drained the phenomenon of all its worth. Now it’s glitch in the matrix type of anecdotes that create some interest. Cynthia prudently invites such stories. After all ME is a kind of glitch, though of larger ramifications. Gurluas is not interested in ME anymore and perhaps Mark is not aware of the restart.
Thanks, Vivek! I agree on all points. The topic was tremendous fun – and led to wonderful conversations and friendships – in the early days.
Now, it’s evidence of something far larger, and probably less interesting to the general populace. I’m content to let them have fun with their alternate memories, however they’re explained.
Ghost hunting has had its surge and decline. It went through the normal Diffusion of Innovations Curve, and – even with Halloween (usually the biggest season for this niche) – my three latest ghost-related books barely earned a glance. However, they did better than books by some far more noted friends in this field, so I can’t complain… but recognize shifting public interests.
I’ve watched Jack Conte’s 2024 SXSW talk multiple times – especially the second half. His points are valid.
And, as I said in this post (updated in Nov 2024), I’m not sure what role websites will play in the future; that’s probably a wait-and-see topic.
With these changes in mind, in 2025, I’m likely to phase-out this website, and perhaps all of my websites. It’s time to focus on books (even if they don’t gain an immediate audience) as legacy works, and pursue what interests me… as selfish as that may sound.
Over the past few months, it’s become clear that Substack isn’t a good match for my interests or my audience. I may see how well Conte’s suggested resources reach those with whom I have the most rapport.
This morning, I’m writing this as many of us are face-to-face with big changes, and realizing that it is time to turn the page.
I’ll leave my sites online for the next few weeks, while I research available options.
Meanwhile, I appreciate the many friendships formed over the past decade+, and especially nuanced conversations with friends like you. Thank you!
Thanks for all those exciting years. The enigma will endure as the enigma of synchronicities has endured. There is no such brutal cause and effect principle that science professes to exist by. There is an agency modulating life. For me X is the only platform that I lean on. But for whatever reasons it didn’t work for you. YouTube is 2nd best,and you can always post a monthly video of substantial interest value.