"So OSR That It Died and Came Back"

A couple of weeks ago, Chris McDowall, creator of Into the Odd and Electric Bastionland , had a livestream in which he talked about "TTRPG Blogging and the OSR." In it, he highlights a number of blogs, both old and new, operating within the broad Old School Renaissance sphere. Among those falling into the former category is Grognardia, about which Chris says many very kind things, for which I am grateful. For those who care, I've embedded the video below, starting shortly before he begins to discuss Grognardia. 

That said, the entire video, lasting about an hour, is worth watching, especially if, like me, you're out of the loop about the current state of the OSR blogosphere. I found this very helpful, since I'm no longer as plugged into the Old School scene as I used to be. Much of that is the result of simply falling out of the habit during this blog's hiatus, but some of it is due to a sense, perhaps false, that blogging is no longer as integral to online discussion of RPGs, OSR or otherwise, as it once was. The very fact that I'm discussing a video demonstrates, I think, that the center of gravity has shifted over the last few years toward that medium, leaving blogs and forums, which were once the crucibles of the OSR, lagging behind.
Unless I'm wrong, of course. As I said, I no longer have my finger on the pulse of anything really, including the OSR or its many descendent esthetic movements. It's very possible – likely even – that I am misinterpreting the present situation. From where I'm sitting, though, it seems as if almost everyone has a Youtube channel or a podcast (even I have a podcast, albeit one with a very narrow focus) and that it's on those platforms where the kinds of in-depth analyses and discussions that used to characterize the blogosphere are taking place. That's why I've often considered doing something more seriously with them myself, but the truth is I am probably too old and resistant to change (not mention largely lacking in the technical skills necessary to do this successfully) to make it work, hence my sticking with this blog rather than "upgrading" as others have done.
What are your thoughts on this? Do blogs still have relevance or have they been superseded by videos and podcasts?
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Published on July 10, 2023 09:00
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