Interview with Blogger Michael Ham

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jul 12th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • No Responses

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

I am a 68-year-old retired man. I started blogging 3 years ago, focusing on things of interest to me. As a result, the blog is not a single-focus blog but delves into science, cooking, movies, jazz, books, politics (I am a liberal), shaving, Esperanto, and the like.

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

My blog hit its 3-year anniversary on July 10, and I can clearly see the progression over time. At the beginning, I had no idea which direction the blog would go. For a period the blog became intensely political because of various outrages being done by the US government (the Bush Administration and the GOP Congress), but gradually other interests have come to the fore and now it’s more balanced overall. I discover that gradually some personal anecdotes are beginning to appear.

Any writing journey is a journey of discovery, and that series of discoveries results in on-going renewal and continued personal growth. Life becomes more interesting and pleasurable as a result.

The same thing would undoubtedly have happened if I had been keeping a private journal rather than a public blog, but then I would miss the interaction with the readers.

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

I fear that the memorable experiences are limited. Probably the most memorable is moving from Blogger to WordPress, but that’s hardly the stuff of headlines.

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

I read quite a few blogs, but I have minimal direct communication with other bloggers.

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

In the US, the obvious answer is the connections that politically aware people now have via the Web—blogs, email, and the like. The result has been that significant amounts of funds are quickly raised directly from citizens for issues of importance. Previously, getting touch with many scattered citizens was almost impossible—now it’s relatively easy. The result has been growing citizen participation in the political process, which is definitely good for democracy. It has also revealed how incompetent and passive are the media (newspapers, TV, and the like) in reporting on what’s happening politically. But now additional sources of information are available, plus regular citizens are starting to push back against passive media.

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

Yes, indeed.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

I would say that my collection of interests, which is unique to me. Most sites, it seems, try to focus on one thing only—food and cooking, politics, movies, music, or whatever. I have taken a different route.

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

An eagerness to learn new ideas.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

That’s rather personal.

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?

Paris, France; Florence, Italy; London, England.

What is your favorite book and why?

Leisureguy’s Guide to Gourmet Shaving (available from Amazon.com). Because I wrote it.

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

Their height, probably. And how they look at me (in the eye, etc.)

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

No.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

By doing lots of things I don’t do: focus on a single topic; allow advertising; accept freebies; and so on. My blog brings me no money at all, which is fine with me.

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

We all have the same amount of time—the difference is in how we use it and the priorities we establish.

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

By reading each other’s accounts of daily life and personal experience. The key is to see how everyone is trying to get through life.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

James Fallows (of the Atlantic Monthly); Kevin Drum (Political Animal); John Cole (Balloon Juice); Glenn Greenwald (Salon.com); and Josh Marshall (TalkingPointMemo)

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

There are three:

A guide to the gourmet shaving experience, 121,983 views

Shaving recommendations, 37,278 views

Salba = Chia seed, 33,127 views

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

Quite positive. Two of my favorite razor blades are made in Pakistan (Treet Blue Special and Trig). I love the food of Pakistan. I bemoan the continuing hostility between Pakistan and India.

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

Not so far—but at 68, I have had much experience with a wide variety of people.

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

The developed country is extremely wasteful; the developing country does not care for the environment.

What is the future of blogging?

The governments of the world are uneasy about common people having too much of a voice, so I expect restrictions to appear in time.

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

I think that my blogging life has led to me becoming better informed. I am retired, so my professional life is limited to my writings, and the blogging probably has helped that.

What are your future plans?

No specific plans—just live each day as it comes.

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

Sure: QUESTION AUTHORITY.