The Task of Curation
A little while ago I wrote about curation and how I wanted this blog to play a roll in that endeavor.
I went into picking up the title of 'curator' pretty blind. I knew it was a thing I wanted to do and should do, but I didn't know how. It also didn't help that the allure of affiliate dollars clouded my vision. I've since ditched the affiliate path, but still haven't found a grove for this curation thing.
I started by trying to do reviews. But I'm not a 'reviewer.' I don't really like writing reviews. And, I'm terrible at it.
I've tried using a work that I want to recommend as a prompt to talk about a related idea. I do like that model, but it feels too much not like curation. (In fact I think it's even resulted in a few posts ending up in unpublished purgatory.)
The other day I discovered a fantastic show that I've absolutely fallen in love with and want to share with you. Thoughts of what it means to be a 'curator' are fresh on my mind. I couldn't figure out how I wanted to review this show. There weren't really any messages that I could lump it in with. But I really love it and want to share it with you.
So, I did what it seems like I always do when I can't figure something out, look up the word in the dictionary.
I typed 'curation' into DuckDuckGo, and their definition widget thing gave me (from GCIDE):
CURATION (n)
: Cure; healing.
: The act of curating, of organizing and maintaining a collection of artworks or artifacts.
: The act of curing or healing.
Well, feces1 that's good.
Obviously what I'm looking for is the second definition, but like, damn. Curation being linked with healing is beautiful.
I wasn't asking why I want to curate, but I've found a new reason none-the-less.
I believe in the importance of curation, because it's required for healing.
Like a shaman scouring the forest for plant medicine, so do we curators scour, looking for good, genunine art that heals our souls.
:)
Okay, so we have a great why, but what about how?
For that, we do need the second definition.
It's as simple as maintaining a collection.
That means I need to have a dedicated page full of all the things I like and recommend.
I used to have this for books through a bookshop.org affiliate shelf, but I neglected to maintain that collection when I ended my affiliate pursuits. I need a page here. And that page will be even better because it can include all forms of media!
Really, that's it.
As regards blogging though, I think it'd be nice to have posts that let you know when things get added to the master list. It would also be nice if I told you a bit about why I like a thing. The occasional, 'this media prompted this blog idea,' wouldn't hurt either.
But, the bare minimum is simply a, 'hey, i like this thing. check it out. here's a list of other stuff i recommend.'
It's nice when the fog of overthinking clears.
With that being said, I should probably leave you with a recommendation.
They say laughter is the best medicine. In the spirit of curation healing our souls, I'll recommend the thing that's had me in stitches the past few days.
Go watch Taskmaster season 19.
I'm now hooked on the show. I'll be going back and watching all of it, but I started with season 19 because of Jason Mantzoukas. I can't remember the last time I laughed this much. It's been curative. Go watch it. It's free on YouTube.
You are Love.
Oh, here's the full collection page I'm starting. It's in the Nav bar too.
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I type the swearword and Harper tells me to change it so I pick the funniest one.↩