Interview with Blogger Lew Scannon

By The Pakistani Spectator • Sep 6th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • No Responses

My name is Lew Scannon and I have been bloggin for three and a half years. I post at here and also contribute here. I am a professional chef, an award winning artist, a part time songwriter and full time dad.

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

My site is http://unbrainwashed.blogspot.com/. I started it when I realized that a number of Americans were beginning to believe too much in the lies foisted upon them by the corporate American media and government.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

My first posts were awful, meandering and at times muddy thinking. But as with anything, the more you practice, the better you get. This is important to me because when I was younger I wanted to be a professional writer.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

One of my most successful early posts “The Man Who Sold The World..Aspertame” was second in Google searches for people who misspelled aspartame.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

I usually warm up before I write by visiting like minded sites and posting comments.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

YouTube

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

I think it’s holding more politicians and pundits accountable for their words and actions

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

Crisp punctuation!!

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
My positive negativity

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
The happiest moment of my life was the birth of my children.
the gloomiest was my mother’s death.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Amsterdam
Paris
New York City

What is your favorite book and why?

I like Brain Droppings by George Carlin. he has a no bullshit view of life that I strive for.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Their gender

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
No, never. iwas trold I couldn’t sing, I couldn’t play guitar, and that I wasn’t a good artist, but my writing has always been a source of faint praise.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

AdSense from Google. I don’t make a penny.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Well, I do, only because I don’t have a girlfiend or a second job. I can’t speak for other bloggers.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

I don’t think bloggers have that power until everybody in the world has a computer and access to the internet. In the US, we have been successful in upsetting the political status quo and spreading the truth about our politicians to other bloggers, which eventually trickles out to the fringe elements of the corporate media.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

Michael Rivero at www.whatreallyhappened.com/
All of the http://guysfromarea51.blogspot.com/ frederick, agi, el serracho. the culture ghost
and mikevotes at http://bornatthecrestoftheempire.blogspot.com/

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

I had a piece I ran on US Independence day concerning the lies used by the Bush administration to get the citizens of this country behind the illegal invasion of Iraq that was linked at another blog, which brought in lots of readers and comments.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

I think Pakistan is like most countries, you have masses of working people lorded over by a cruel and indifferent government. I think the people of Pakistan want the same thing I do, to be able to live the life they choose to live without interference from differing viewpoints.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

Neil Shakespeare is perhaps the most original blogger I have ever seen or read.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

In the US we have an undeveloping country. What was once a thriving country is now being boarded up and shipped off to developing countries as punishment for overeducated workers realizing they can control the means of production if they all band together.

What is the future of blogging?

In the future everyone will have a blog. My kids have their own now too. They think because I am on the internet, somehow I am famous, not realizing that any shmoe can put up a blog.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

My co-workers are completely unaware of the internet, except for email and porn viewing purposes. My personal life ended following my divorce.

What are your future plans?

I’d like to give up tobacco. Also, if at all possible, I’d like to make a living as a professional writer.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

It’s big old goofy world, don’t focus on difference and you’ll see we are all the same.