Boaty & D: Feedback, Self-Reflection and other thoughts

Dear readers

We are coming up to the first year's anniversary of Boaty & D (the dot com version). As Boaty and I were discussing earlier on today, we have evolved, developed, changed a little and (hopefully) improved much from when we first started blogging back in the summer of 2007.

Our style has moved on a bit, and as time goes on, we keep at the forefront of our minds the importance of constantly striving to improve and to keep writing important, interesting and potent politics-based articles.

One thing has not changed - our passion and commitment to Libertarianism. Our version, interpretation and idea of this great and beautiful political philosophy.

I want to get this across now: yes, we've been bold, brash and sometimes cocky and outrageous. Yes, we have used bad language. And speaking for myself here, yes I have often tipped into full on rants and also attacks on other bloggers.

What I want to convey in this piece is that, whether you know it or not, we have actually taken on board lots of feedback from both occasional and regular readers. You have not been ignored. Be they positive or devastatingly harsh comments (bar abusive and stupid ones), we have listened and learned.

Our writing is slowly but surely improving all the time. We respond and evolve with the times, but without compromising our beliefs. We believe in pragmatism, but also a logic based on libertarian ideals. We are moderate, but we hold no punches and we are brutally and unwaveringly honest, even if that means saying things we and you might not like.

What we want to build on from this point and into 2010, is a style and approach to our blog that takes us to the next level. We want more respect, and we want to write what we want, how we want, but for that to come across in a constructive, positive and forcefully effective way.

We're not just a couple of angry cunts with a computer each, too much time and two heads full of junk. This blog is the real deal, and if you don't think so, you will in time.

I anticipate that Mr. B will add his own unique thoughts to this discussion. But for me, I will be continuing down a certain path with this site. My articles will be less misanthropic and harshly angry. They will be more tempered, and better researched.

Our feedback has also led me to understand that when I slag off other bloggers and go off on mad rants about the Country Club, it is futile, damaging, pointless and detracting of our good work. I realise this now, and there will be less of the venom and none of my former patterns of kicking out at fellow bloggers.

I will also be taking a closer look at my use of language.

2009 has been a great year for Boaty & D. We've gone from zero to hero, but as you know, hero isn't good enough for us. There's a cloud with a harp up there in blogland, and I spy a beardy who needs shoving off to make way for the best bloggers in town.

The thing is, to get there, we know we need to earn it. So in 2010, we'll be earning our wings and achieving more from what we do here on The Mighty Boaty & D.

p.s. If you wish to add any feedback, comments and thoughts on what is good, bad, ugly, needed, not needed or anything else about our site, please do so in the comments.