Brother, Can You Spare a Hyperlink?

It’s not every day that bloggers are the butt of a joke. Of course, we probably should be; there’s plenty to poke fun at!

San Franscisco author/satirist Paul Di Filippo recently published a short story recently in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in which the collapse of the Internet ("chaos of viruses, worms, spam, terrorism and busts by the FBI anti-porn squad") turns bloggers into crazed San Francisco street-people who shove bits of paper into the faces of passers-by, hoping to interest them with novel tidbits:

The recognition was plainly one way. Doctorow’s crazed eyes betrayed no familiarity with my face. I was only another potential flesh-and-blood “hit” for his “site.”

Doctorow carried a mud-splattered messenger’s satchel over one shoulder. From this bag he now removed an old-fashioned wirebound spiral notebook and pen. He made a tick mark on paper, recording my “visit.” Then he launched into his spiel.

“Welcome to a directory of wonderful things, my friend! Get ready to be amazed, thrilled and astounded! I’m going to show you stuff you never believed existed, stuff that will brighten your life, enhance your senses and enlighten your consciousness! For instance—“

If this taste of the article has you wanting to read more, you can find the full article here.

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