Obvious Diversion

When I started blogging, I set out to comment on technology and information design. The last thing I thought I would add to the Internet was information on vacuum cleaners, old 1960s stoves, alternative colas and well designed umbrellas. But, somehow, I did and as a result a pretty large number of people stop by specifically for this information, primarily through Google and Yahoo.

The outcome of these quick off-topic posts is that I get numerous emails about people’s vacuum experiences, received a comment from the President of Cricket Cola, and helped a local business woman spread her designs to the east coast. In the case of the 1960s stove, a whole retro stove marketplace has sprung up in my comments section, much to my surprise.

I consider this “accidental data” and it seems to enrich the Internet just as much as the data I intended to contribute in the first place. The fact that I did post this unintentional information is probably a testament to the ease of blogging in general and to Wordpress specifically (and possibly to my inability to stay on topic.) I can’t help but wonder what percentage of the data output by blogs seems of little consequence to the author at the time that later becomes of great use or interest to others?