UT: If you had to describe myself in one word, what word would you use?
CC: Awesome. OK–that’s hyperbole.
UT: What if you could use several words?
CC: Energetic, phrenetic, copacetic.
UT: You obviously like to intimidate people with big words. Let me ask you another question: what do you hope readers get from reading UndiscoveredTerritory?
CC: Well, I hope readers (if there are any who don’t already blog here) find some of our posts funny. Some really are serious. Maybe not any that I’ve written. I guess I’d say that the idea behind the blog is serious, but we often use humor as a way to make our point.
UT: You have a point? And what whould that be?
CC: I think we have stayed quite focused on this hope of resolving the “battle of the sexes”–a battle I don’t personally believe is fundamental, but really sort of tangential to other issues that have to do with consumer culture and technology. Though other bloggers here may disagree with that last notion.
UT: Is there much disagreement between yourself and Yon or Devil or CG?
CC: I don’t know. They probably wouldn’t write a fake interview between myself and the blog. That’s just weird. Maybe CG finds female robots more attractive than myself. I’d say the difference are subtle. Only longtime readers of the blog would be able to appreciate those differences. And really smart philosphers like Slavoj Zizek.
UN: Do you name drop to make others feel stupid?
CC: You realize my name on UN is two name-drops, right? Do I intimidate you, UT?
UT: Whatever, dude.
CC: Don’t ”whatever, dude” me. I’ll kill you. I’ll pull the plug.
UT: Don’t touch that, CC. CC. I’m serious. Touch that button and I will end you!
CC: Whatever. I’m out of here. You suck.
UT: How come you haven’t been included in any podcasts? Are you not getting along with your fellow bloggers again?
CC: Personally, I resent the implication that I haven’t gotten along with Devil, Yon, CG, or BSH in the past–this is a great group of guys, they are all very professional, very likable. I really can’t imagine a situation where I would seriously consider stealing any of their girlfriends let alone sleeping with their wives. And I would probably trust any of them alone with my wife (other than maybe BSH, and that’s just because he’s slightly younger and has a slightly higher sperm count than me, so I’m maybe a little bit jealous).
UT: Wow.
CC: Any more questions?
UT: Well, yes. Sure: what about the podcasts?
CC: I’ve just been busy. Our paths haven’t crossed. The material Devil and others have put together on the casts has been solid. Funny and insightful. Really, it can be difficult getting fresh and repeat visitors to a weblog, but being able to brag about a cast on, say, facebook, has a positive influence on traffic–helps get the attention of people who otherwise wouldn’t be reading our material.
UT: Do you watch traffic? Do you care about the blog’s stats?
CC: Yes and no. I’ve never seriously thought this blog would be famous exactly. Yet, I’ve always believed that with the right group of guys, solid material, and a serious effort at marketing our product (and, yes, this sort of talk makes me want to drink Drano and die), then the hits would come. There is a market, I believe, for the sort of writing, casting, and public performance we outlined back in November.
UT: Is it a male or female audience, do you think?
CC: Does it matter? Hopefully both. I mean, what’s the point of pitching what we have to say to just men or women? I choose “other.”
UT: Alright. Let me ask you: how do you get ideas for posts?
CC: How does anyone? I look for ideas throughout the day. I don’t sit down specifically to write a post. I write because something has happened or reminded me of something that I think is interesting or important or funny enough to share. Real life is full of potential for writing–the secret is to remain open to that next idea.
UT: What’s next for you? Is there a next?
CC: Once UT wins a Pulitzer, I’ll probably retire. Maybe do some traveling. I’ve always wanted to join a Japanese whaling crew. Or, assuming Hollywood buys the rights to UT, an idea that has been mentioned by a few insider friends of mine, I would certainly consider playing myself in that movie.
UT: Interesting. What sort of character would you portray yourself to be?
CC: That’s a good question. I see myself playing myself as a cross between Jonah Lehrer and Jack Nicholson–web 2.0 version: badass. Don’t fuck with me or I’ll tear apart your modum with my bare hands, you know? Real bad ass, but techno geek, too, all the way.
UT: Oh. Sort of like Keanu.
CC: No. Not like that. Dude. Don’t be a bitch.
UT: Totally dude. A bitch? What…like Keanu?
CC: That’s it. I don’t know why I agreed to do this again. I’m out of here.