Evolution of a Blogging Legend
Attribution: medium.com.
Had he lived in our times (we'll call him Will), he could have been a prominent blogger not only on Daily Kos but across the entire blogosphere.
In fact, given his way with words and unique ability to coin new phrases, I'm sure he'd have joined this blog early on in 2002. However, he might have had a bit of difficulty making up his mind about what to post. No question in my mind, though, that had he overcome his initial hesitation, he'd have become a prolific contributor and one hell of a community moderator in the early years. (Sorry, MB)
Would he have banned some early well-known rabble-rousers like Maryscott O’Connor and Armando? Maryscott had a way with words, so Will might have liked her. Armando could be a bit ornery and argumentative, so I’m not sure about his blogging fate. Will would have most certainly loved Digby, Steve Gilliard (RIP), and billmon.
Finding His Niche on Daily Kos
So, how would have Will fared on these pages? This is entirely speculative but it is, nevertheless, informed speculation. He'd have written about everything under the sun, and then some. In doing so, he'd have adopted a whole new set of terms and phrases that are commonly used by many amongst us.
If there is one thing he was good at, it was adapting to the times.
No one knew better than Will that language was always evolving. Just like the kids, he could be hip. “Go with the flow, and “adapt or die,” he would say.
There is no question that Will loved pooties, woozles, and birdies, though his soft spot for pooties is self-evident. His writings were full of references to these creatures. In deference to the powerful PWB Peeps group here on Daily Kos, he would have gone out of his way to appease humor them. See, maintaining good relations isn't just for elected political officials!
He might have even become a regular PWB diary writer. He had the ability and good sense to appreciate the "poetic qualities of the feline."
“From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember’d;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
Embracing Success, Making Enemies, and Fading Away (for now)
Supremely confident and gifted.
Will’s blogging output would have far exceeded anyone else's. In that department, he had no peers. The range of topics he could opine on would have been the envy of this site's best writers. Bar none. Some might have tried to emulate his style of writing. None would have succeeded.
He was certainly one of a kind. Some even called him the “Content King.”
Success often invites trouble. Trolls and other undesirable elements would keep up the drumbeat of “How could he possibly write all of this?” and “Did he really write all of it?” No one could ever be sure of it but few knew that Will was a multi-tasker even before the term became fashionable.
One thing was sure: no one could ever refute that he didn’t write everything that appeared under his byline. His productivity was second to none. But suspicions lingered on and dogged him for years.
Other bloggers were envious of him. They accused him of being self-centered and always wanting to see his name in bright lights. Few made the wreck list as often as he did.
To get with the times, Will would then adopt new technologies to popularize his works. Even as he had Luddite tendencies, he could foretell the future and his more meaty, substantive pieces would give way to shorter, punchier posts. Some would decry the "Facebookization" of Daily Kos.
Not Will. He was no fool. He could pack more punch into 280 characters on Twitter than most writers could in lengthy articles or books. His command of the English language was that good.
Attribution: Toonpool.
Popularity, however, is a double-edged sword. It inevitably results in creating enemies — both real and imagined. Unable to curtail his growing influence and popularity, Will’s enemies would accuse him of creating multiple sympathetic sockpuppets to rec up his diaries, or even worse, an army of zombies to help him dominate this blog and become trendy. Such accusations can be hard to defend against. Moreover, they are virtually impossible to disprove. Once the damage is done, it sticks to one’s body and even permeates the soul.
Bill was never a GBCW-kinda guy. Hounded by his critics, he would decide to take a leave of absence. Yes, he would TTFN. Many would pine for his return.
In his farewell diary, he would pen these famous words.
What a blogging legacy he left behind!
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interrèd with their bones.
Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 2
When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
When the hurlyburly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won.
Fair is foul, and foul is fair;
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act I, Scene I
His work would endure and live on. Many would try to emulate him but none would succeed — even to this day.
Why do words matter?
All you ever have to do is read the below summary to understand the importance of William Shakespeare's contributions to the English language and how they convey our innermost feelings, and thoughts, and affect our actions without even being conscious of it.
That is the sign of genius and greatness.
You’re quoting Shakespeare more than you realize.
“If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It's Greek to me", you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger; if your wish is farther to the thought; if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise — why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then — to give the devil his due — if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then — by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness' sake! What the dickens! But me no buts! — it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.”
— Bernard Levin
The Diary Poll
Remember to take the diary poll. Of the below list of only fourteen phrases from Shakespeare, choose one that you like the best. If your favorite isn’t listed, mention it in your comment and tell us why you like it.
Anyone who has contributed meaningful words to the English language rates high in my book.
His plays are still hailed as the pinnacle of literature and hundreds of his coined phrases are still in wide usage in modern Britain.
The Bard's influence on our language and culture is still impossible to escape and even those who "don't do Shakespeare" unwittingly channel his words in their daily lives.
Ever found yourself muttering 'for goodness sake' as someone queue-jumps? Or perhaps having "too much of a good thing" has left you "puking" and a "sorry sight"?
These are just a handful of popular sayings that came courtesy of Shakespeare.
— 50 Popular Phrases That Came From the Famous Playwright and Famous Shakespeare Quotes.
