The following is a transcript from the show Hardball with Chris Matthews:
Chris: In the last segment of our show tonight we examine the proliferation of blogging today. Our guest is from Sylvania, Ohio and has recently become the 200 millionth blogger. We welcome Dane Copti to Hardball.
Dane: Hi Chris, thanks for having me on the show. Wow. There must be over 10 people watching.
C: Very funny. Tell me why you think we need 200 million people blogging?
D: I didn’t say I think we need it.
C: Ok. So why are you doing this?
D: Seriously, I don’t know. I don’t have the time, I really don’t. Just to write this baloney today I’ve put off grading my 200 millionth paper. I keep thinking that if I had the time I’d do something great with my life. Instead I’m starting this. I don’t know how I get off the track sometimes.
C: You must have some goals for your blog.
D: You’d think, but no. I am not trying to advance humanity, teach, or even elevate anything. Some days I believe that I have something worthwhile to say, but then I remember that everyone thinks that sometime. Goals? No, not really. So in the middle of a brutal semester I think I should start blogging. What an idiot.
C: (aside) who booked this guy?
C: OK, fascinating. We’re off for a short break. Don’t go anywhere.
During the break:
C: Man, maybe you should go get an anti-depressant.
D: Thanks, but I’ll be fine.
C: Not for you, for me.
C: OK, we’re back with Dane Copti, 'Blogger Superfluous'. Dane, do you have any positive thoughts about this project?
D: Oh sure, Chris. In the end I think I’m doing this because I DO have things I want to say for myself. If no one reads it, fine, but I get my say. I love Lourdes College. I love my job, my profession, NW Ohio. I love my daughter, my friends, my life, and I like to write. I’ll find the time somewhere and other things will suffer for it. I’ll look up later and realize that important things will have gone undone and I’ll be at a total loss as to why. It’s ok; I’ll probably just blame George Bush for it.
C: Excellent. In the last few seconds, is there anything else you want to say?
D: Yeah. I have some things to say to my fellow faculty bloggers.
Joyce Litten, what happened to you? I read about the End of the Conservatist Agenda then I wait for more. And wait. Are you kidding me? You mean to tell me nothing is happening anywhere in the world that would follow that? Where are you? Oh yeah, probably busy. Does that come as a total surprise?
Tom Estrella? I know there are things you want to say. How do I know this? YOU’RE TOM ESTRELLA! That’s how I know it. What happened? You got on the front page of the Blade and figured you met all of your goals? Elvis as the Antichrist left me wanting more. I never got any more. It’s been only 6 months, so I guess I need to learn patience.
Finally, Dale Lanigan. Important stuff you’re writing there, Dale. Look, everyone knows that people often confuse us for each other. We look so much alike you’d think we were separated at birth. But blogging? In a moment of sheer profundity, you asked about the words to the song “Take On Me”. How terribly deep! I actually got an email from a well-meaning student complete with the lyrics. Keep it up, Dale. Maybe we’ll even get an easy opening CD from this.
Come on, faculty. Our blog page is little more than promotional announcements anymore. Don’t get me wrong, IA does a good job, but please.
C: Thanks, Dane, and thanks to all of you for watching. Countdown with Keith Olbermann starts right now.