I sometimes feel bad that I don’t often write posts that are actually about web design, but more of the underlying attitudes and emotions of the designers….mainly me.
But the effect that Faedubh has had on its readers is quite surprising to me. I think about what FD has done for me- through this blog, i have realized that I am not usually the only one who feels the way I do about this community, and I also realize how human the rest of the designers i know are.
This blog reveals that design is not, and never will be, a perfect system. There’s a lot of things that hang around us like a big elephant that we find too risky or too much to talk about on our own updates, all of which are addressed on this site.
Like they always say, the first step to solving a problem is to admit that there is one. This site says what is on everyone’s mind, but not what is coming out of everyone’s mouth. We’re taking one step closer to changing this internet that we spend so much time on, and one by one, are taking stands to make a difference.
It might not be the same as advocating a cure for cancer, or a fund for homeless children, but it is ultimately making designers more open, honest, and less afraid of admitting the issues that keep us from becoming better.
I am glad that FD has brought so many different opinions- and people- into one place to discuss the one thing we all have in common. It’s exactly what the doctor ordered
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 am
I don’t think FaeDubh has really done any of that. I seriously think you’re now giving this blog too much credit. I’ve known design isn’t a perfect system, as we all know a “perfect” system doesn’t exist anywhere in this world, on or offline. And I really don’t believe this site addresses all of the “elephants” we’d rather not discuss on our own updates either. Whatever the case, these “so many different opinions” seem to mostly be those who actually write for FaeDubh, Veve, Me and maybe a few others who leaves comments now and then only.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 am
The title is a little pretentious. (a) the AMC is the only “community” that we can claim to know enough about to comment on–and really, we don’t don’t even know how big this circle is; the “many” people that you refer to doesn’t even begin to sample the population (b) we collectively call ourselves web designers and we talk about the web design community, but I was under the impression that we understood that all of this refers to AMC. When you start talking about the Web or the industry, we’re astronomically insignificant, and (c) bringing in real life politics is completely inappropriate.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this sense of self-importance is exactly what gets us into all this drama and hurt feelings.
“This blog reveals that design is not, and never will be, a perfect system.”
That’s what AB did, but everyone jumped their throat. Truth be told, AB raised a lot more awareness than FaeDubh; discussions that they sparked are still going on right here whereas FaeDubh’s first few articles were beating a dead horse. Just because FaeDubh doesn’t link to examples (even though some posts are motivated by certain sites) doesn’t make it a leader in a “movement” to bettering this community, or even a better blog.
I’m not trying to undermine the merit of FaeDubh. Indeed, it’s making an admirable effort trying to revive a dead community. However, I have a problem with you coyly bashing one site (AB starting a war) to praise another (FaeDubh picking up the pieces).
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:13 am
Feh, to each our own. Now that I look at it, I think maybe the main diff between AB and FD is the diplomacy factor. My guess that the former (AB) caused a huge stir because of the harshness and sarcasm. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I personally feel that although both the sites were opinion + discussion outlets for people to speak about webdesign and so, I’m pretty sure FD’s the “milder” one where their writers bear at least “tact” in mind when presenting their points.
I may be generalising by saying that, because there may well be some less-than-kind posts in here somewhere. I don’t know.
Oh, and having said all this, feel free to disagree/rebutt this comment. But I don’t need to repeat what all of us (probably) already know.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I agree as to what Veve and Megori stated. Calling Faedubh the “Obama of the Internet” is jumping the gun a bit and putting this blog on a pedestal it doesn’t deserve by saying you’re “changing the Internet.” I mean, Faedubh is a small blog on the net, I don’t think it’s making as big as a difference as this post claims. Most of the posts here have already been brought up in the past by other web design blogs and have gotten a bigger response (I.e. A.B.). Though, I think Faedubh is a lot more mild than A.B. I think this post is giving too much credit.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Well, I have a few things to say about this. First off, I don’t think you should coin yourself with a politician’s name. There ARE people out there who DON’T believe in that politician, I for one. Whereas some may think that Obama is “changing the world”, others may see Obama as someone who’s only pretending to change the world. You see the point there?
Also, I do not feel that FD is “changing the Internet.” I have never heard of you before going to AB. So much for that change you’re talking about, eh? If you were changing so much, then you’d be well known, yes? Also, I do not believe that you can change the internet in the way you say. The internet is made up of people, people are behind all the workings. So how can you say what you say? Have you REALLY changed people? I highly doubt that people have changed themselves just because you declare a few things.