Well, im a freshman in high school. i doubt i'll have a chance.
4 more years!

manju,
As long as you write "you" instead of "u" and "are" instead of "r" you are half way there. Also NeVeR WrItE LiKe ThIs. EvEr!

:)

Well, you just encouraged me to start (seriously) blogging.

Good advice indeed :)

Damn you Abhi. I'm 34, a single, Sikh in the City, a half-breed by birth (so not PC to say) and overage for your blog! Shall I cry age-ism? Manju feels too young, I too old...sigh...

Damn you Abhi. I'm 34, a single, Sikh in the City, a half-breed by birth (so not PC to say) and overage for your blog! Shall I cry age-ism? Manju feels too young, I too old...sigh...

You aren't overage. My co-bloggers don't believe in ageism and usually put me in my place. :)

Well, you just encouraged me to start (seriously) blogging.

Ditto.

Ha! Well, being Punjabi and from LA, so I better not see you at Skybar or at Hyde or else...

(just kidding Kiran…call me)

Talk about voice! By the way, her book is rocking (I'm still reading).

You have to keep on writing on good topics so that the people are forced to read your blog.

Damn you Abhi. I'm 34, a single, Sikh in the City, a half-breed by birth (so not PC to say) and overage for your blog!

you are definitely not overage. some of us are pushing 40 or points beyond. abhi just wants to meet young women. we encourage this, but we want to see bloggers of all ages. go forth and do your thing!

Do you have to be South Asian? Or can you be Nepali, Bangladeshi, Indian, Sri Lankan, or Pakistani?

I don't meet your criteria, but if anyone knows who the US weekly of the brown, er, South Asian blogosphere is, I may be their woman. :)

Do you have to be South Asian? Or can you be Nepali, Bangladeshi, Indian, Sri Lankan, or Pakistani?

Sigh.

Finding the right "talent" is a universal problem, isn't it? I have the same issues when expanding my team. And in my case I'll even stoop as low as to consider non-[i]desis[/i]!

Blogging regularly is a lot of work, and it requires a type of proactivity not all of us are equally blessed with. For instance, I post on different web communities at least a couple of times a day, but tending to my shriveling (sounds suspiciously close to [i]shiva-ling[/i], no?) blog is a chore. On the other hand, snarking all over someone else's posting is easy as pi (and more transcendent too).

Matters are not helped when one isn't fortunate enough to be a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or otherwise differently-sexed Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Lankan or Bhutani. Which gives me an idea: have y'all tried posting your "Bloggers Wanted" ad in pro-GLBT Internet Cafes in Thimpu?

Saira

Damn you Abhi. I'm 34, a single, Sikh in the City, a half-breed by birth (so not PC to say) and overage for your blog! Shall I cry age-ism? Manju feels too young, I too old...sigh...

I, for one, would love to hear what you have to say. I have yet to meet a half-breed Sikh and am sure you have a unique voice that would contribute to the South Asian and identity discourse. Starting a blog is easy, I was inspired by the SM crew but barely have time to commit anything worthwhile to it. (I know, lame excuse!)

NVM

Do you have to be South Asian? Or can you be Nepali, Bangladeshi, Indian, Sri Lankan, or Pakistani?

I second the intern-walla, not this again...@=)

Another route to go is to make it like a newspaper and have your classifications as tabs, and accept and hold editorial rights to submissions for all categories.The above being the first step, thereafter make a sub-editorial team (duo or group) of those who contribute often to those sections and let submissions come in and they can take over the "editorial" work.

See fresh blood is hard to find if it has to be exactly what and how you guys are. Nothing will ever compare to your (inclusive of the founding members) writing. Time commitment is another thing, not all bloggers can encompass a variety of topics to make the main blog at a time. Hence submissions might be a start to getting a glance to different aspects that you might want in new bloggers.

Another thing to keep in mind is that those of us who blog might not write how you all right here because the posts are normally based on personal experience to what we believe is a small audience. Hence again, if you go the route of submissions you never know...people might surprise you :).

If you go the submissions route ... you would need to outline the requirements to contributing to SM as an addition to whom they have to be.

Definetely also supportive of having more Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Nepalese writers and content on the site.

i hate you abhi ... i hope you suffer like you're making me suffer with this accursed toone ...

Dont you wish your blogger was hot like me
Dont you wish your blogger was a freak like me
Dont cha, dont cha
Dont you wish your blogger was raw like me
Dont you wish your blogger was fun like me
Dont cha, dont cha

Abhi:

I'm a 25 yEAr oLd sINgle BiKIni mOdeL. I tHinK u r cute. CaN I rite 4 uR bLog?

i hate you abhi ... i hope you suffer like you're making me suffer with this accursed toone ...

Hairy_D,
We own the rights to that song also. See here.

I sometimes wonder, if we never existed would more of you be blogging now?

If this site never existed, I probably wouldn't be blogging now.

No von Mises (#12):

Do you have to be South Asian? Or can you be Nepali, Bangladeshi, Indian, Sri Lankan, or Pakistani?

teehee!

also, nitpick:

You might be a great blogger/writer but we also look at other things like how much time we think you have, how well your tone compliments ours, and several other intangibles.

complements? :)

Oh Abhi, such blatant ageism. I believe in a previous post you had listed that the target audience was in their mid-30s. How does that reflect on what writers you're looking for? As the title of the following post says, "For Shame"

since you're feeling generous with institutional secrets, can you tell us who came up with "Sepia Mutiny" - the coolest name ever?

Why the N. America criterion? I am indeed a fearless blogger - with lots to say and show (through photography)about Bangladesh where I live. Have my own voice, which people tell me, is by turns poignant, witty, compassionate, angry, engaging, insightful and bonkers. Check out www.morristhepen.net

since you're feeling generous with institutional secrets, can you tell us who came up with "Sepia Mutiny" - the coolest name ever?

This is beginning to sound more like E! True Hollywood Story

I second the intern-walla, not this again...@=)

sItUaTiOnAl ThIs EtHnIcIty....lolz.

We aren’t looking for suggestions like, “Hey what about so-and-so? Why don’t you ask them to guest.” Please don’t use the comments following this post for that.

*cough* *cough*

NvM - I like your sputum results.

We can’t keep doing this forever on our own, especially since many of us are going through transitions in our busy lives. To be perfectly honest, I think that when the time comes we will suddenly and viciously pull the plug on SM. It will be just after the moment we feel that we’ve got no blog left to give and nobody else is capable of picking up the keyboard to mutiny forward. If you like spending time on this website then don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Translation: "Look, I just can't do this any more. I feel like things are moving way too fast. I need some space away from "us", you know, some time to think... maybe we should start seeing other people."

Sepia Mutiny, are you breaking up with me?

...I think I'm gonna cry.

basic requirements we look for in new bloggers (besides being desi).

It may be worthwhile also having non-desi American bloggers who have had a significant amount of social and/or professional contact with South Asians (in the US or elsewhere). It promotes a more inclusive mindset & atmosphere, enables discussion of a wider range of issues which may impact desis & non-desis together (ie. you get to hear both sides of the argument), and also counteracts the insularity (and even racism) that is sometimes apparent amongst some desi commenters here on SM.

The British equivalent of SM, Pickled Politics (link under my username above), which I have also sporadically blogged on, has non-desi regular bloggers and it has worked very well indeed. Their contribution has been highly positive and it's also had a good impact on the general vibe of the blog as a whole.

I've mentioned this before offline, but I would also recommend an "Open-Topic Weekend Thread" as a regular feature so that people here can just chat casually about whatever is on their minds; this will also mitigate the frequency of "normal" threads being cluttered up by wildly off-topic tangents.

abhi just wants to meet young women.

Abhi: Are you planning on leaving? You selfish bastard, you!

On a side note, some of SM readers (mainly me) are concerned that the Mutiny will be diversified. I love Vinod but I dont think I could handle another right leaning blogger on SM. I am of course only concerned about ME.

Personally, I love SM just the way it is. Keep doing what you do! I don't think there's a need for non-desi bloggers here. Lots of commenters who aren't desi, contribute a different perspective to this site. Occasionally, I am one of them.

Abhi,
You have inspired me. I want to be an American Citizen now;)
Peace

Man, the problem with starting a blog these days is that you're just talking to yourself. With huge group blogs like this, there's very little payoff to throwing your thoughts out on the interweb alone. And it's not just here -- there are huge blogs already covering anything I could talk about in detail, many of which have paid staff who are able to sit around all day collecting content.

Personal blogs are another thing, but does the world really need another twentysomething writing about how "it, like, suxx to be an American-born Desi d00d"? More importantly, would anyone read it enough to give it feedback?

I know I don't have time to keep up with every personal blog that catches my interest, even with an RSS feed. Is there even any space for new bloggers out there?

Neal,

That is so discouraging! The artist shouldn't worry about his audience. As Lemmy from Motorhead says: Shove it out, run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it.

Even if no one reads it, the act of writing is a practice that makes you better.

Hmm I like the submissions idea...not that I have anything worthwhile to submit (my blog is for venting...don't really put much thought into the style of my writing!...). How much time do you guys commit to SM per week?

Personal blogs are another thing, but does the world really need another twentysomething writing about how "it, like, suxx to be an American-born Desi d00d"? More importantly, would anyone read it enough to give it feedback?

I know I don't have time to keep up with every personal blog that catches my interest, even with an RSS feed. Is there even any space for new bloggers out there?

in perfect competition, AC = P = MR = MC and there is no profit to be had. So, no, save the effort and don't blog, so says the theory =)

Damn, you guys FORCE me to put my blog link down in the hopes of instant fame!!!

Is there even any space for new bloggers out there?

My thoughts exactly.

guests that are 18-30

Most popular search on internet personals...ages 18 - 30, nevermind if the person searching is 60. Everyone wants young thangs...damn you SM, you are supposed to rise above this!

Man, the problem with starting a blog these days is that you're just talking to yourself. With huge group blogs like this, there's very little payoff to throwing your thoughts out on the interweb alone. More importantly, would anyone read it enough to give it feedback?

Most blogs are like diaries and mostly about self expression. However you will be surprised at how many people end up on your blog and how fast traffic increases. I'm being forced right now to consider migrating my blog because it keeps going down because fo bandwidth problems. I get emails from tourists from Japan and recently Idaho who thank me for recommending something to do in NYC.

You won't know it until you try, you might have a voice you'd be surprised to hear.

@ 40 Pooja: Is there space for new paintings, books, sculptures, poems, businesses, etc? Of course, if you do things correctly! Blog, blog, blog away.

Oh, crap, I violated Abhi's rules without even thinking. Paging clean-up in aisle 42, clean-up in aisle 42, SM intern!

Sorry, abhi, I did read the post and just forgot after reading all the comments.

Hmmm, let me look around. I know I've run across some interesting desi bloggers out there that have not yet been linked.

I’d personally (not speaking for my co-bloggers) like to invite guests that are 18-30.

;)

That is so discouraging! The artist shouldn't worry about his audience. As Lemmy from Motorhead says: Shove it out, run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it.

Yeah but come on, I was talking to myself even BEFORE I got an Internet connection!

I know, I know, I know, just throw yourself out there, etc... but I get bored without feedback. I'm one of those lame Gen Y instant gratification types, apparently.

Nevertheless, this has convinced me to fire up blogger and try again...

Oh, crap, I violated Abhi's rules without even thinking. Paging clean-up in aisle 42, clean-up in aisle 42, SM intern!

All clean!

21, North American, clearly not afraid to offend

Most popular search on internet personals...ages 18 - 30, nevermind if the person searching is 60. Everyone wants young thangs...damn you SM, you are supposed to rise above this!

Actually, as someone in that demographic I would LOVE to read the thoughts of people who are older and wiser. Nearly everything written by and for the diaspora has focused on this age range. Hell, even Naipaul mostly writes about that age range. If there are 60 year old acculturated Desis out there, I think they'd provide a hell of a lot more diversity than yet another 20-something perspective.

Not that there's anything wrong with writers from the 18-30 age group. But it would be pretty sweet to read about someone who made it through everything I'm going through and stayed sane.

Too many blogs logic can be applied to any form of expression. Too many books, movies, periodicals, bands etc. Which is why I ain't buying the theory. If you make it interesting, people will visit.

More importantly, blogs are a cool place to explore niche subjects. The type that get a short shrift in blockbuster-obsessed culture.

Apologies for thoughtlessly repeating MD's comments.
Related topic: Long Tail

Abhi:
I think you should invite Pardesi Gori to contribute once in a while. No, really! She has a pretty good grasp of Indian culture as practiced at the mundane level, as opposed to the more classic version that exists largely in theory and perhaps in the nostalgia filled minds of first geners like me. Besides, don't you think SM could use someone writing from India or "South Asia?" (I'm learning, I'm learning.)

If my choice of author is a little too iconoclastic, just consider my recommendation to select someone living in South Asia. It would round off the SM group very nicely, adding a twist of the original to our transplanted culture.

Good luck in your search, and keep up the great work, all of you.

Actually, as someone in that demographic I would LOVE to read the thoughts of people who are older and wiser. Nearly everything written by and for the diaspora has focused on this age range. Hell, even Naipaul mostly writes about that age range. If there are 60 year old acculturated Desis out there, I think they'd provide a hell of a lot more diversity than yet another 20-something perspective.

Not that there's anything wrong with writers from the 18-30 age group. But it would be pretty sweet to read about someone who made it through everything I'm going through and stayed sane.

Apart from Meena, I'm probably the youngest commenter here, and I agree 100% with Neal here. I'd much rather hear what the 40ish-but-with-a-young-and-passionate-heart desis have to say.

Abhi wrote:

So what am I asking? Some of you need to start blogging and do so with a purpose.

We aren’t looking for suggestions like, “Hey what about so-and-so? Why don’t you ask them to guest.” Please don’t use the comments following this post for that.

Ahem. I'm starting to worry about your Reading Comp skills.

Ok ok *hangs head in shame*. I WON'T talk about him then.

Related topic: Long Tail

this might be of interest to you then.

"Ahem. I'm starting to worry about your Reading Comp skills."

Come on SM Intern. This is not a classroom where instructions must be followed to the letter. I read what Abhi wrote about not recommending anyone, but I had an idea and decided to share it with all of you. Sorry.

Shruti: What's wrong with 60-ish and yet with young-and-passionate-heart? I suspect this is Abhi's ploy to keep me out of the loop. Try and stop me sonny boy. Every move you make I have been watching you!! On second thought may be I am too antique for all you ABDs. Do not panic folks. Sepia Mutiny will survive, as it was founded on good solid Concept.

Ahem. I'm starting to worry about your Reading Comp skills.

ouch, my knuckles...

"Shruti: What's wrong with 60-ish and yet with young-and-passionate-heart? "

And the 50-ish.

It seems the Uncle-ji's are coming out of the woodworks. Where have you been Yo Dad and Shodan? I thought I was the only old fogey around here.

Yo Dad for president!

Yo Dad for president!

I don't think that's going to be Constitutionally plausible at the moment...

Come on SM Intern. This is not a classroom where instructions must be followed to the letter.

No, but if someone asks you not to do something, then the polite thing to do is respect their wishes. Let's keep this thread productive; we get unsolicited advice about what we "should" or "need to do" with this blog all the time.

As Abhi stated, there is constant talk in the bunker about potential guests, the lack of good blog out there and how we wish certain people who leave fantastic comments would blog. We already notice all the people who have been suggested in this thread, despite Abhi's request that you not do that. The entire point of this post was to call out desis who have a great voice but choose to do nothing with it.

Yo Uncle, Neal actually said 60 year old, and I'd be totally fine with that too... or 50, whatever :) Basically, I just want to hear what the older generations have to say (I don't care which ones, as long as it's not mine) because I'm already aware of what my generation is going through - I'm living it, dammit! Older people are landmines of forgotten or untold knowledge - stuff that I could never come up with by myself. What I get really excited about are the inter-generational similarities, especially from the left-leaning and/or eccentric older desis. It's very encouraging.

On second thought may be I am too antique for all you ABDs.

No, no, no. I love your comments, so you can't be too antique for me (I'm not an ABD either). I'd tell Abhi to let you blog, but the intern will get mad again. They have to let that poor thing sleep. He/she has been really grumpy lately...

Constitutional plausibility is severely over-rated when it comes to the ability to win elected office.

I love older people. They're cuddly.

Vivek, you and I both need to sleep.

He/she has been really grumpy lately...

You'd be grumpy too, if you suddenly had a spike in your workload. I don't know what everyone ate last week, but suddenly I have WAY MORE TO CLEAN.

Older people are landmines of forgotten or untold knowledge - stuff that I could never come up with by myself.

:o

l-landmines?

I mean I know sometimes my mother's advice FEELS like it blows my legs off, but man!

l-landmines?

If you let them go on, they'll explode, I think.

Vivek, you and I both need to sleep.

You're in California and I'm in Tamil Nadu. How is this possible?

As Abhi stated, there is constant talk in the bunker about potential guests, the lack of good blog out there and how we wish certain people who leave fantastic comments would blog. We already notice all the people who have been suggested in this thread, despite Abhi's request that you not do that. The entire point of this post was to call out desis who have a great voice but choose to do nothing with it.

Ok this is getting a bit elitist now. There are so many posters/commenters here with a fantastic voice that DO blog. Have you seriously gone thru all of them as guest bloggers? And if there are those that YOU guys think SHOULD be blogging well hell spell it out and tell them. This whole "you should blog because you have a good voice" where the "you" is so nebulous and while there are so many good "you's" out there is a little hokey folks! There are so many talented people out there who write about everything under the sun while being brown.

Where’s the new blood?

Well it's everywhere. I've discovered for myself thru the commenters on SM (for which I'm eternally SM's bitch) so what are you doing wrong?

To JoAT: Dishoom, Dishoom!

JoAT: I swear, that comment is one reason why I consider you one of my through-the-glorious-SM finds.....

Ok this is getting a bit elitist now. There are so many posters/commenters here with a fantastic voice that DO blog. Have you seriously gone thru all of them as guest bloggers?

1) I am sorry the intern irritated you, you are one of my favorite people here. A beating will commence shortly.

2) If we re-read Abhi's post, he addresses the question you raised above here:

Now maybe you are thinking to yourself, “Hey! I’m a blogger and I meet all those criteria, why haven’t they approached me?” Please don’t take it personally. You might be a great blogger/writer but we also look at other things like how much time we think you have, how well your tone complements ours, and several other intangibles. We love to see diversity in our guest bloggers but we’ll never invite someone just for the sake of being diverse.

3) As for this...

And if there are those that YOU guys think SHOULD be blogging well hell spell it out and tell them. This whole "you should blog because you have a good voice" where the "you" is so nebulous

...speaking for myself, why should I single people out? I don't want anyone blogging under duress. I might dig someone's voice, but if they don't have the motivation and commitment to blog on their own, then if they guest here, I'm going to have to chase them to blog 3x a week. Uh-uh. Ain't gonna happen. This post was meant to speak to those people who think, "Wow, I should totally blog...I like this form of interaction and expression" but for whatever reason, haven't done so yet. Maybe this will inspire them to get to it. Seems like it already has. That's the EXACT reaction *I* was hoping for...

Where’s the new blood?

Well it's everywhere. I've discovered for myself thru the commenters on SM (for which I'm eternally SM's bitch) so what are you doing wrong?

Nothing. :) I'm not trying to be an asshole, but if you love this website, it's because as imperfect as we may be, we're doing something right. As we discovered in the past, someone who has a great personality or who is a solid writer or who has a great blog of their own may not work out once they are brought to the bunker. Everyone here writes, edits and monitors their own posts. Sometimes, finding someone to keep up with just those basic requirements seems impossible.

We all write about what interests us while simultaneously realizing that if there is breaking news then we must be ready to handle THAT, too, regardless of whether we're politically-inclined or in to it. Yeah, the bar is kinda high. A larger pool of bloggers to peruse will only help us find the next great Mutineer even faster.

Here are the folks who comment regularly here (or did at some point) whom I'd love to see blog, who don't currently link to blogs of their own:

Ikram (I know you've said on various occasions that you don't think you have enough to say to have a blog of your own - I don't believe it, but if that's in fact the case, try a group blog!)
Deepa
Shruti
kavita
desitude

There, I'm calling y'all out - hiya!

On the other hand, if you actually have things you need to do for your own livelihood or for the benefit of society beyond a relatively narrow form of awareness-raising which prevent you from the blogging, I guess that's cool too...

Aw fuck man, now I'm a good example...

To JoAT: Dishoom, Dishoom! 1) I am sorry the intern irritated you, you are one of my favorite people here. A beating will commence shortly.

Oh no the dishoom dishoom is for Abhi not the poor Intern or Rajni :-)

Nothing. :)

You never do anything wrong ANNA :-) I get your point.

I'm fuming over the following words. Do you know what that will do for those folks out there like me for whom this is a lifeline?

Don’t make us burn this blog down to save the spirit of the Mutiny.

Personally I'd love to see Kush Tandan, Razib and even AMFD because they are such a riot and such a wealth of information and god knows both those qualities are necessary.

JoAT: I swear, that comment is one reason why I consider you one of my through-the-glorious-SM finds.....

Word, Emdee-di. :) I totally agree.

Awwww group hug MD & ANNAbanana

Oye Neal...all this fuming business you've been indulging in today, you got angst baby, use it to blog as the masters suggest!! Angst is necessary to blog!

Oh no the dishoom dishoom is for Abhi not the poor Intern

In this case, does the intern not equal Abhi since everyone "polices" their own threads?

In this case, does the intern not equal Abhi since everyone "polices" their own threads?

Oh no guarantee of that :-) You never know who's back there hehehe...

In this case, does the intern not equal Abhi since everyone "polices" their own threads?

Nope. :)

While everyone is responsible for their own threads, obviously they aren't tethered to their laptops. They go to work, they sleep, they eat...that's why it's such a lovely thing that other Mutineers (in different time zones!) are always keeping an eye on the site, to step in when necessary, no matter whose thread it is. :)

Oye Neal...all this fuming business you've been indulging in today, you got angst baby, use it to blog as the masters suggest!! Angst is necessary to blog!

Is joke, Jane-auntie!

You never know who's back there hehehe...

taken out of context...uhm....yeah....

other Mutineers (in different time zones!) are always keeping an eye on the site, to step in when necessary, no matter whose thread it is. :)

Mutineers on call...learn something new everyday. "Abhi, you're needed stat, and don't forget the crash cart and the enema bag". Oh wait, that latter part was supposed to go with the previous quote...

Is joke, Jane-auntie!

You diaant jus auntie me! I'm going to go all belan (rolling pin) on your ass now. Watch your back kid!

Would anyone else second a motion that Yo Dad should start a blog?!?

Would anyone else second a motion that Yo Dad should start a blog?!?

Yo Dad should have a weekly agony-uncle thread here on SM.

Would anyone else second a motion that Yo Dad should start a blog?!?

No. It would never work. You know happened between Commodus and Marcus Aurelius don't you?

I'm a 25 yEAr oLd sINgle BiKIni mOdeL. I tHinK u r cute. CaN I rite 4 uR bLog?

Only if I can read your posts with the lights turned off.

Translation: "Look, I just can't do this any more. I feel like things are moving way too fast. I need some space away from "us", you know, some time to think... maybe we should start seeing other people."

Damn, now I can never break up with a girl that reads this blog and knows how I do it.

abhi just wants to meet young women.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Why else would I read the blog of a Jared Leto look-alike? ;)

Abhi: Are you planning on leaving? You selfish bastard, you!

No, but I start a new job in a month that's going to own me.

Lots of commenters who aren't desi, contribute a different perspective to this site. Occasionally, I am one of them.

Gracias mi boxeador favorita.

I'm one of those lame Gen Y instant gratification types, apparently.

Damn kids these days.

In this case, does the intern not equal Abhi since everyone "polices" their own threads?

Nope, the relationship between us isn't the best right now.

Yo Dad should have a weekly agony-uncle thread here on SM.

Sorry, I can only handle so much agony.

Go JOAT!

As Abhi stated, there is constant talk in the bunker about potential guests, the lack of good blog out there and how we wish certain people who leave fantastic comments would blog. We already notice all the people who have been suggested in this thread, despite Abhi's request that you not do that. The entire point of this post was to call out desis who have a great voice but choose to do nothing with it.

True, but then this would be a commentless article, since we would all be busy blogging to make our voices heard. Was that the purpose of the article?

in my own narcissistic way, i've seen the comings and goings of different guest bloggers and have wondered why an invite never came my way when i was pretty actively reading and participating on this site. for whatever reason, my comments didn't seem to generate much of a reaction on a consistent basis. maybe it was my timing - Anna, I still believe threaded comments would best serve these posts - since I would frequently reply to comments made way ahead of mine. maybe it was my take on things. as i have decreased my levels of contribution and stopped thinking about wanting to contribute here as a guest i also stopped linking to my own blog b/c i didn't see the purpose.

regardless, i'm glad to see the authors here understanding the need to infuse some energy with new contributors. i'm a 25 year old indian american so my voice comes from a slightly younger perspective than the SM bloggers. i hope that you include someone 22-28, so they are post-college but pre-freak-out-about-not-being-settled-down. i love this site and bring it up regularly in conversations with friends. kudos for working to improve it.

See i had a blog (xanga) since high school which i would not give out here because its like a diary, somewhere I can vent and just say random shit. I am not brave enough (like some of you) to put myself out there for scrutiny or others, and for what. No real appreciation sometimes as seen here sometimes on SM.

boo guest blogging. plus I only blog about football and stupid stuff I do on campus.

This is directed at everyone, because both of these questions have come up in the past.

"Why haven't you asked me to blog?"

We haven't asked you to blog because chances are, we've discussed you and decided that for whatever reason, you aren't the best fit. It's not personal and it's entirely possible that some of us really dug you; however, that's not enough...we operate via consensus. If we want to keep this a quality site, we have to make the best decisions for it.

Also, being asked to guest isn't a prize we give someone for coming to the party and having a good time. If someone reads us and leaves lots of comments, we love them for contributing their nearly-always-edifying point of view, but that doesn't entitle them to guest. No one is entitled to anything. Choosing guests is a complex process; after this post, you can tell that there are MANY factors which are taken in to consideration. The bottom line is, we love this site and want it to remain mutinous; we act accordingly, in pursuit of that goal.

And while I'm redundantly answering frequently asked questions...

"Why haven't you linked to me?"

As our FAQ clearly states, "We add the blogs we love, are addicted to and read daily.The best way to get noticed by us is to leave great comments and link back to your own blog using the comment form." It's true. If one of us reads you, then you get added. Everyone who is on our blogroll has a fan in North Dakota.

i hope that you include someone 22-28, so they are post-college but pre-freak-out-about-not-being-settled-down.

Amongst desis that's either 22-24 or 22-45, depending on gender, family pressure, and a few other factors :) I don't think that any of us have ever blogged on that topic before, but if there's demand out there ;)

Hey, fellow-bloggers/commenters, jai singh's idea about an agony-aunt or uncle desi advice blog is hilarious. Tongue in cheek advice to the desi crowd....has anyone done this before? Outside of the bad Indian girl website - you know the website I'm talking about.

You could have this total case of characters who would answer the questions. Oh, if I weren't so lazy.....

PS: I love it when people call me didi! Anyone else love the warmth of Indian style address? (doesn't that sound perfectly hinglishy? Indian forms of address)

No one is entitled to anything.

Gasp! What would Nehru think, Anna?!

I'm no veteran blogger, although I have written down a thought or two. I'm 24, born and raised American Desi who's been a bit of an outcast in Indian society. I think a non-Desi with close desi ties or someone "not so desi" would be a nice addition.

Yes please, get a non-desi to educate us all a la Pardesi Gori. I'm sure that will make all the macacas happy.

Out of curiosity, do any of the Mutineers actually consider themselves Hindu? It seems to be a viewpoint sorely lacking, since any mention of the benfits of Hinduism are sure to be closely linked to allegations of Modi-Sympathizing and BJP style hooliganism. It might be something to consider

Vivek, you and I both need to sleep.

The entire point of this post was to call out desis who have a great voice but choose to do nothing with it.

I don't know, I find this post a little perplexing. In some ways it is totally understandable that the Mutiny needs to propagate over time; people's lives change and get busy, but also a diversity of voices is probably good for the blog itself. At the same time, is it really necessary to want everyone to blog independently before being invited to SM?

I understand ANNA's point about folks not being reliable if they don't blog on their own, but I have to agree with folks' arguments regarding why individuals blog. I blog, but I would never link in my SM comments because these blogs are for family/friend updates, etc. While a blog is inherently public, it need not be super-public, you know?

Also, I personally really appreciate SM's coverage and its centrality. It appeals to many readers and is accessible to a wide variety of people. Why compete with a good thing when you can refer stories, ideas, etc., to the same group? While this may broaden coverage, I find that the SM bloggers are really receptive and cool about blogging ideas.

Ok, this was probably totally unhelpful, but just a few thoughts. Why not try out a few folks whose comments you like/appreciate, or perhaps contact them individually?

To vivek, #76: Thanks for thinking of me! :) Perhaps I will blog (publicly).

Hi,

I would like to be a blogger on the mutiny that I have religiously read for the past year and I fit all the criteria you mentioned except I wouldn't be able to tell you if I fit the creative criteria, so .. um want me to write like a pseudo-blog-write-up or something ? Also, I am open to criticism and have no fear of writing opinions that are my own.

Little about me > been in US since 9th grade (1997), currently finishing last semester of college, have a job that I would like to quit at any given opportunity and what better way then to go out because I spent too much time on sepia mutiny.. believe me I have absolutely NO PROBLEMS with that scenario.

i hope that you include someone 22-28, so they are post-college but pre-freak-out-about-not-being-settled-down.

Amongst desis that's either 22-24 or 22-45, depending on gender, family pressure, and a few other factors :) I don't think that any of us have ever blogged on that topic before, but if there's demand out there ;)

Ennis: just curious about your age spectrum splits by gender, family pressure and a few other variables. Would you elaborate? Also, if others feel comfortable, I would like to know if there are any older, single mutineers, straight or gay, who've articulated a trajectory that won't/or hasn't yet include(d) marriage, children and other conventional indicators of settling down.*

I can count on both hands, men and women alike who fall into this space.

And, before we rush in call it Aunty/Spinster-- Uncle/Batchelorhood I'd like to learn about the language others have been using to describe where they are.

Is that so much to ask? ;) Well, I appreciate that it might be so I respect not being answered. Settling down is rather a loaded issue for our diaspora.

* I don't include owning real estate at a young age (>30)to be that much of an indicator of settling down. Just an indicator of mummy/daddy's wealth (Why, hello, downpayment!) and/or a fat a** job and/or huge amounts of discipline and a seasoned practice of thrift and investment savvy. (Oh, P'shaw, you know who you are!)

Out of curiosity, do any of the Mutineers actually consider themselves Hindu? It seems to be a viewpoint sorely lacking, since any mention of the benfits of Hinduism are sure to be closely linked to allegations of Modi-Sympathizing and BJP style hooliganism.

Bidismoker: I am a Hindu. And a hooligan.

BTW, JoAT:

Way to go, sister. Bellan away in all directions, as you deem appropriate.

Ok, this was probably totally unhelpful, but just a few thoughts. Why not try out a few folks whose comments you like/appreciate, or perhaps contact them individually?

Guest bloggers have told us that it's a very different experience to comment than to post, and it's different again to post 3x / week. Similarly, writing for an audience of friends is very different from writing for an audience of strangers. You can't assume that they're inherently interested in what you have to say, just because it's you. And you have to have a fairly thick skin.

The only way we've found to see if somebody is well suited to this rather perverse experience is to see if they're doing it on their own.

Please people - this wasn't meant to be a snobby "You're not good enough" to people who are already blogging and who haven't received the 3AM knock on their door by secret service agents. It was meant to encourage those who aren't blogging to start blogging.

now clickable

The only way we've found to see if somebody is well suited to this rather perverse experience is to see if they're doing it on their own.

Point taken :)

#53, I am forty-ish, born in Kolkata, raised a California girl, definitely surviving, would like to say thriving, but still sometimes belting out Donna Summer in the shower for inspiration: "At first I was afraid, I was petrified ..." (If you start singing along, you're old as the hills, too.) I think MANY like me who grew up here and had no desi community around us are frequent, thirsty SM lurkers. I love reading about the wide range of experiences, and especially enjoy reflections from the younger dudes now that I'm raising two brown young men of my own. And Pooja, NO MORE EXCUSES, girl -- Didi wants to see your blog jump-started before that book of yours launches (Mama's Saris, Little Brown 2007).

but still sometimes belting out Donna Summer in the shower for inspiration: "At first I was afraid, I was petrified ..." (If you start singing along, you're old as the hills, too.)

I don't mean to get sidetracked here, but I feel secure enough in my (hetero)sexuality to point out that: (1) I believe you mean Gloria Gaynor, not Donna Summer, and (2) it isn't just old folks who would sing along, one suspects our hilarious new friend Sin would sing along lustily as well.

(Reminds me of a hilarious line from the Daily Show a few months back. In describing an imaginary form that Texas state authorities would use to keep gay couples from becoming foster parents, Stewart said that question 1 would be: "Fill in the Blank ... At first I was afraid, I was ______. A. Very scared, B. Petrified.")

I believe about a year or so ago, Abhi had DIRECTLY listed the commenters he'd like to see start blogging, in a post, for all the world to see. Some did, like Punjabi Boy, but some of y'all ignored it. If you'd started blogging back when he hinted that you'd rock at it, maybe you'd be Guest Blogging or added to the Mutinous Core. That Abhi is methodical yet mystical; I bet he knew back then that he'd write this post today. He bends the space-time continuum. He ought to be on "Heroes".

-I'd look up the link, but I'm scarce on time today. I'm sure Abhi knows which post I speak of...

Mitali, the link to your blog doesn't work :(

And Pooja, NO MORE EXCUSES, girl.

Awwww, Mitali Didi, you are so sweet. You read my piece in the latest issue of PaperTigers; maybe 2007 will be the year ;).

Thank you, again, for all your support.

Mitali, the link to your blog doesn't work.

Try this.

But seriously, someone other than 25 would be awesome. I sense a serious disconnect between Gen x and Gen Y of the second generation community; it would be nice to see us represented on SM as well.

I had no idea you thought me so old or felt so alienated. In all seriousness however, I disagree. Gen Y ain't THAT different; they keep biting our music, though I can't blame them considering the dreck they get to choose from, to ameliorate their MyAss profile with...

As for the "Hindu" question, we're never going to check off boxes or entertain quotas. We're more interested in if someone is interesting and that has worked for us and plenty of thankful readers who are more concerned with good reading than potential biases. I didn't realize we were so hostile to Hindusim. I think of us as an open space, with respect for all.

I think a non-Desi with close desi ties or someone "not so desi" would be a nice addition.

The non-desi thing ain't gonna happen and we went through that, upthread. As for the "not so desi" part, perhaps you are new, but a few of us swing that way (Siddhartha immediately comes to mind, besides me).

(Minor Pet Peeve alert!)

I hate to break it to everyone, but that "I had no Indian friends and like, I am totally black/brown/purple-washed and...and...I didn't do typical desi things"-shit ain't unique, either. If you feel that way, you are not special and you were not alone. Every third person who comments here has that exact backstory. It's why we all get along so well. /end peeve.

I'm an ex-sorority girl (only brown one in all ten houses at one point) who hasn't been to India since '89, who is about to turn 32 AND I'm still not married. You want to talk about feeling like an "outcast"?

I'm an ex-sorority girl (only brown one in all ten houses at one point) who hasn't been to India since '89, who is about to turn 32 AND I'm still not married.

Oy veh! What has happened to this thread? First the power dynamic discussion, then the "nominate my friends who don't blog regularly" batch, followed by the "nominate me but I haven't started blogging yet" group, and now, after all that, holey moley, it's about biodatas!

All I have to say ANNA, is I am so having my parents contact your parents, ok?

I'm an ex-sorority girl (only brown one in all ten houses at one point) who hasn't been to India since '89, who is about to turn 32 AND I'm still not married. You want to talk about feeling like an "outcast"?

Hey ANNA:

Thanks for an answer to my question (#107), sort of. My sense is that there are plenty of outcasts around.

Make some noise people.

i agree with anna's point about the non-desi backstory being a common thread among many readers/posters here. it certainly is a contributing factor to the sense of community. it's the same reason why the social outcasts and school seemed to get along with each other; this site has provided us with others to share our sense of "outcast"-ness.

anyway, regarding the age thing, i think there is a difference between the 30+ 2nd gen populous and the 22-28 2nd gen populous. it has little do to with very distinct experiences growing up 2nd gen and more to do with the different stages in life faced by the age groups. for example, posts have dealt with the issue of the freak-out-about-not-being-settled-down stage of life, which is rooted in the age thing. i'm sure twentysomethings obsess over this too, but given the "traditional" ages by which certain events/decisions are put into motion, it's more evident to those in their 30's. i don't want this to be taken as complaining, b/c i'm certainly not. rather i'm suggesting that there is a difference in content motivated by age. not a bad thing, not a good thing, just a thing worth pointing out.

variety is the spice of life. cliche but true (and we're all down for more spiceyness right?). more age differentiation in the authorship would benefit the blog in my opinion.

posts have dealt with the issue of the freak-out-about-not-being-settled-down stage of life

Really? Whom? When? Enquiring minds and all that ... I'm fascinated. I really can't believe I've seen these posts.