Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

by Marc MacDonald

I was going to write another piece for this new genesis of Webdiary, a piece about anger and my want to change the world and how Webdiary has allowed me to express my opinion to a large audience and why I was connected and driven to help change and extend the ideals and ethics of those who had been long term Webdiarists.

However, during the initial writing and the re-writing and editing the world changed. What is it that John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you whilst busy making other plans"? 

And so it has come to pass that Webdiary has moved house. Like a child leaving home there will be pain, loss, confusion, anger and bluster as the child begins to spread their wings and explore the world with different eyes.

This is neither a time for worry nor a time to look back at what was: it is a time for defining the new and establishing the groundwork for the future.

Margo has, over the last five years, built something for the future that is now part of a large number of people's lives. She has constructed, maybe without conscious thought, a new form of democratic class-less communication and a new forum for education which will, if allowed to progress, change the way people look at the fourth estate.  What becomes of her baby is unknown but she should be proud of what it has achieved and should look forward with anticipation as this new stage unfolds.

The team that have aligned with Margo are diverse and appear eclectic in skills each with different gifts. I have not met most of them, but as is common in this brave new world, I have worked and conversed with most via the wire medium for some months. I am impressed with this group that Margo, Harry and others have been able to enthuse with their vision, and am more than happy that Webdiary will meet the challenges common to all youngsters in this brave new world.

For those who are travellers of the well worn path to Webdiary, continue to come, stay and write and help as Margo and Webdiary try and define who they are in the world and what they can offer. Help and ideas are required as well as a good heart and loads of tolerance and continued writing and support. Nothing has changed and all has changed.

For those who are new to Webdiary remember this is not just a forum for expressing ideas and public argument it is a place for us all to grow. Do not be dismayed that the people on here are vocal and strong of opinion. Each person writing and commenting expresses their view without fear or favour. Even though some may ridicule what you have written the majority will support and help you gain your voice and will cheer as you grow.

Also, be not worried that not all subjects will enthuse you. This is no reflection on you just that Webdiarists are a diverse and well travelled lot who see no limits to the way they think and place no limits on subjects to explore.

And you ask what is in it for me, Marc MacDonald? I have stated this before and state it again here. I will do all I can to extend the life of Webdiary.

This site is new and the future is unknown but the ideals and ethics espoused by those who write on this site are the new democracy. I have learnt much whilst reading on here and I have ranted and raved like many others. Australia needs this site and the people on it (even those I disagree with) to write opinions and to ferment controversy because it is only from discussion that we can arrive at a common ground.  The more members who arrive and argue and, the more who write and explore the boundaries of ideas and society the better the result.

The press are currently being constrained within a smaller and smaller universe, not just in Australia, but worldwide. The more the news comes from a single source the more we end with a Prime Minister walking around without his clothes on. We need to provide a space for children to call out "the king has no clothes", not to embarrass the king, but to let him know he is a mere human and fallible.

Webdiary is that place. Welcome to the new world.