An Interview by: The Pakistani Spectator
may be reached at: http://www.pakspectator.com/
Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
The mantra for my site is Love, Honor & Respect. To me I care less about where a person comes from, what their religious affiliations are or their background; however I keep pushing my message that we are all interconnected in this world and we must learn to live together peacefully and respectfully. Once we start living our lives in this manner, we will find that we have more in common than we have as differences. Wouldn’t that make for such a wonderful world to be in, where we all get along and Love, Honor & Respect each others?
The object behind every blog is the attainment of a state of being. Do you agree with this statement?
I do agree with this and see it more as marketing or in the entrepreneurial manner to bring a company into existence. It is one thing to write about subjects that people find to be interesting. It is something completely different to market that blog, attract a base of readers who find what you write and how your write worthy enough to consistently come back to read. I am evolving as a blogger and am learning these lessons as we go.
I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
The first time I received a comment telling me they felt the same way I did about the subject matter. The first time someone wrote a message asking for advice or help based on what I had written in my blogs and the first time I saw that in one day I had several hundred readers in one day. These are all memorable moments for me.
What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
That within our political races today; how bloggers are influencing those races themselves. It is marketing 101 all over again, but it has the entire world standing to notice what is said and why. The world is recognizing that a voice is out there to be heard and they don’t know how they could ever silence that voice ever again. That is an amazing realization and shows how technology has helped to mature this world once again.
Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
Absolutely they are more effective in making people more responsive. In my daily job, I could not live without my blackberry to send and receive emails and SMS messages and that is just for work. I keep in touch with family and friends more because there is always an open line of communications. Don’t get me wrong, all of this comes at a price and that price can be extremely burdensome for a person to pay. It comes at a cost of personal privacy. Advancement in technology that help the world communicate better and faster also helps the world eliminate personal peace and self governance.
What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
I cover a very broad range of topics and my focus is on using my experiences to help others. I want you to read my site and say, “Wow” or “I can’t believe that”, but I also want you to read my site and say, “Thank you I needed to know I wasn’t alone” or “I’m feeling the same way, maybe Todd will talk with me directly about his experience and it may help me make decisions I’m faced with making. I try to respond to each and every comment and even when they say that which I don’t want to hear; I remember that we must all Love, Honor & Respect each other, but most importantly those who oppose what I say and do. I try to live my life by example of my beliefs, but always remain open so that each person I encounter may tech me that which I did not know or change my mind because they’ve help me to see how my stance was inappropriate.
If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success, what would it be?
An unflinching willingness to continue trying until I find what works best. I am tenacious and will try everything until I find what works best. Then I use that same focus to improve what is there so that we make it the absolute best that anyone can know. Then teach everyone else what worked for us in hopes that it might help them do a better job also. When we all succeed, the world is truly a mighty place to behold.
What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
The happiest moment in my life was on a Christmas Eve when I was exchanging gifts with my then spouse of three years. While we were unable to marry; the final gift I gave was a ring as a sign of my commitment to him as I asked him to share the rest of my life with me – he accepted.
The gloomiest day was after five years together that same relationship with my soul mate…the person I never expected to be without until the day I died ended and after I moved and purchased a new house and was trying to start my life over again; I was unpacking the boxes and at that moment it was as if his ghost wondered from out of the boxes as I opened each one and unpacked my belongings. His ghost remained in my new home reminding me of the lost I had endured making the dark feelings impenetrable. I didn’t stop crying over that loss for almost two years and I will always feel the loss in my heart and in my soul, but I now know that we were not meant to share our lives for ever, just for the beautiful time we did. Our time will never be forgotten and will always be cherished as I learned what amazing things love can do for a person during our time together.
Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?
Politicians will use everything at their means to get out their messages and to communicate to the populace. I don’t see the use of Twitter with any social networking tool as un-justifiable, just another of the many tool used by an organization to communicate with the masses. That is what elections are all about. I am not apposed to the use of Twitter or any social networking, however like in our Presidential Elections that are on-going right now in the United States, I think we need to reform how our elected officials can spread their message, how they can raise money for elections and how once they are in office can be persuaded to vote one way or the other. When politicians are accepting millions of dollars in contributions for an election by corporations (domestic and international) in hopes that once this candidate is elected they have bought and paid for their politician and thereby expect favors repaid to them in turn; that is absolutely wrong. I feel much stronger on once an elected official is in office those same corporations send lobbyist to Washington to bribe and pay-off those same politicians with even more money so that their bidding is done needs to be against the law and the corporations, the lobbyist and the politician all need to be sent to prison when it is discovered.
Government needs to be in place for the people, not for special interest and corporations. When special interest and corporations influence our political process (which is common practice), the people suffer greatly. We need to pass strict laws prohibiting such influence pedaling and start enforcing those new laws with prison terms.
If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for – what would your top 3 choices be?
That is so easy because I love to travel and experience new cultures and lean about the citizens of different places. It is how I’ve matured as a man by traveling and getting to know people from all over the world. My next major trip because I love history and architecture so much will be all of Italy. I want to rent a car and drive from the very southern tip and meander my way through every crack and crevice until I’ve made my way to the very northern most part of the country.
My next destination would be to visit the South America by visiting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Venezuela. Really get to know the people and the cultures. I would absolutely love to visit the Rain Forrest. I have visited almost every corner of North America and to get to know our Southern neighbors would make me a very happy man.
I am extremely mixed on the third travel destination because I equally want to visit Africa, Australia and the Middle East. They are all amazing destinations with such amazing history and interest that I could have an amazing time in each and would love getting to know the people from each.
What is your favorite book and why?
This is going to sound so odd, but the entire Harry Potter Series. The soul reason is that those books have thought so many kids as well as adults how to read or to read better. Any book that teaches children and adults how to read is a great book.
Now the other great book that I love the most is about to be published this year (2008) and it is entitled Love, Honor & Respect and it is written by me. This will never make the top ten selling books, but it will be a fascinating read all the same.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
The eyes are the first think I notice on anyone. Our eyes tell the stories of our life and are a reflection of our soul. I can tell so much about a person by their eyes.
If it makes a difference, the second thing I notice about a person is their smile. That is very personal to that person and shows the love and joy in the heart and in their life.
Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
Every teacher I ever had to write for from primary and secondary schools. Writing is a new gift that has a purpose for me. I can only hope that I use that gift to its complete potential and that the messages I have to deliver are well received.
How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
I am on the path to make this change in by blogs right now. I don’t ever expect to get great wealth from my blogs, but if I can supplement my income with money I make off of my blog, then that will be OK. The most important is to get my message out there and if anyone attempts to change, modify or adapt my message for commercial means, then I will stop. My message must be free for the people to read and hopefully they can help some. While I hope it may help me some financially, that is not their intent or purpose.
Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
It does take a lot of time to read, write and focus; but to me that is the joy and the peace I receive by doing this. I love the focus of my blogs and derive peace and a since of freedom that I cherish. But I often times will start on a blog and find myself up at 2AM and 3AM finishing a blog up and posting it.
What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?
Corporate blogs are an extension of their marketing departments. If they are used internally to communicate to employees or if they are used externally to help customers are more aware, then they are good. I am apposed to ever speaking ill of competition or products and services that are not your own. But the consumer should always be aware that corporate blogs are just marketing material pushed by the company.
What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
I run across so many blogs by people from all over the world delivering messages just like mine of unification, peace, love and in the spirit of getting along as apposed to pushing the negatives that segregate us from others. The world is getting smaller and smaller and we must learn to get along if we are all to survive. That is where bloggers can influence the rest of the world.
Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
Any of my posts concerning Christianity and my views on Christianity and how we must take a more respectful less judgmental focus for the rest of the world. I have not set out intentionally to write blogs about Christianity, however, many Christians find my beliefs challenging to their own. I don’t mean to challenge their beliefs, but broaden them by showing how for Christians to claim the walk in the path of Jesus Christ – their savior, they must walk as he did; loving, honoring and respecting all who they encounter.
What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
From what I’ve read and with people from the region, the people of Pakistan are tired of being oppressed. They are tired of one dictator, one President scavenging the treasures of the country and leaving the remainder of the people impoverished. They want a future for their children and they want jobs for themselves. They want to live respectful lives and grow as a society and they are extremely tired of not being able to obtain those opportunities.
Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
No, not stunned. It takes a great deal to shock or horrify me. I do from time to time find material that deeply saddens me, but I have yet to be stunned.
What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
It is horrifying to me the lack of common resources that are needed to sustain life. Resources like food and water. The lack of resources designed to obtain those very necessities for them as they are needed. Hand-in-hand with the lack of resources like food and water is also the lack of education to learn and grow becoming more self sufficient. It is incumbent on every developed nation in this world to help those impoverished nations build the resources, making them available to all of their people. Money does buy you power, but it can never buy you love and admiration from the ones you save. Each and every life is a treasure that deserves to be saved. It is our job to save them.
What is the future of blogging?
The future of bogging is what we make it. I hope it does not get too commercialized and too bogged down with hype. I want blogger to remain true to their roots and stay fresh and new.
You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I have met some truly amazing and beautiful people based on my blogs. I have helped some with issues that are hard to deal with no matter what age you are. I have been able to enjoy the benefits garnered by name recognition and they are all great. I have also suffered because my current boss does not like my blogs personally. His disagreement with my personal blogs has made my job difficult at best with a company I love being at and people I love working with. I had to seek another job because he was harming my ability to do my job properly based solely on my personal blogs.
What are your future plans?
Continue blogging as I am. Move my blogs to my own internet domain suffixes and hopefully start some advertisements so the blogs cover their own cost. Expand my message to a broader audience and let my message of Love, Honor & Respect proliferate around the world.
Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my work and I hope to hear more from the people of Pakistan. I would love to learn more about you as a people and more about your society as a hole.
Thank you and Peace be with everyone
Your Humble Servant – Todd M. Dobson
