Today marks EIGHTEEN years since I first set off on the road, trading a San Francisco apartment and a Silicon Valley career for a life of adventure and exploration.
So how has it been going?
Time to settle down?
Mission accomplished yet?
Hardly.
If anything – it feels as if I’ve been going around in circles.
Every year is a repeat of the same basic formula:
Visit cool people – new friends, old friends, family.
Tour interesting places – on and off the beaten track.
Long drives. Short stays.
Boat projects. Bus projects. Van projects. Tech issues.
Share about it all on social media.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
The daily grind – Technomad style.
And every year I feel pressured to come up with a clever Nomadiversary post to mark the passage of yet another year.
And this year, I feel unusually stumped.
Is there anything new worth writing about?
Is anyone still even reading?
What is the purpose of blogging here?
Should we focus on video more and use only YouTube to keep an audience engaged?
Or is it time for something new and entirely different?
Maybe…
TikTok?!?
UPDATE: You all have voted overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the Technomadia blog and YouTube channel around, so I guess TikTok is not our future home after all…
Blogging Is So Over?
As I demonstrated in my Nomadiversary post last year – humans writing words on a blog is basically as obsolete as human’s riding around in horse drawn carriages.
It might be fun for a quant historical tour of a scenic old town – but it is not anything anyone takes seriously for actual transportation anymore.
Words are over.
AI can do that better than any human now.
And humans aren’t even reading blog posts anyway – they are just having their AI agents summarize them.
We are quickly degenerating into a world filled with AI’s writing content, and AI’s reading that content.
Humans at best just get a summary.
It is fun to every so often dive into our old posts – a reminder of the incredible adventures we have been on.
We do have a lot of great history here on Technomadia.com, including our early forays into mobile internet redundancy – a gospel we clearly have been preaching for a LONG time:
Cherie’s Post – May 2007:
Yesterday, our new Sprint Rev A EVDO express card arrived – giving us a full spectrum of options for mobile internet access. We signed a 2-year contract with Sprint.. so guess that means we’re committed to each other for at least 2 years now, huh?We’ll have that through Sprint, my Verizon ‘regular’ EVDO access via my xv6700 smartphone and Chris’s T-mobile lower bandwidth access via his Treo if all else fails. We’ll be setting all three options up on both our laptops, and making both as shareable networks.. having essentially a wifi network with us wherever we go.
It seems that the seeds were being planted for the Mobile Internet Resource Center way back then – 17 years ago.
Clearly our relationship outlasted that Sprint contract, our first joint legal commitment.
But while blogging was the hot thing back in the 2010’s – it has faded away for many.
But if blogging is over, what next?
YouTube?
Isn’t video the better place to focus now?
Been there, done that.
And YouTube seems to be going the way of the dinosaur rapidly too.
Vlogging Is So Over?
As best as we can tell – our Technomadia YouTube channel is the second oldest RV-related channel in existence on YouTube.
Our first videos were published in 2009 – using YouTube to redistribute short videos we were creating primarily for the now long-defunct TripFilms.com site.
Our early videos were pretty rough.
We even did an exciting video about the world’s largest Amoco sign:
People like drama – our first video with over 10,000 views featured our Jeep getting stuck:
Eventually we started taking YouTube a bit more seriously, and Cherie did a whole series of interviews with other nomads called “Ramblings” – the 30+ interviews in this series inspired a whole generation of folks to hit the road.
To this day, we still have people mention to us how much Ramblings meant to them.
This April 2010 video was the start of Rambilings, and featured 17 nomadic households who were converging for a NüRVers rally – an early incarnation of what eventually ended up evolving to become the Xscaper’s Annual Bash:
One of our other early popular videos managed 590K views, and focused on “The Sucky Sides of RVIng” (Wow – look at that bushy beard on me!) and how awful life on the road can be.
People like drama, after all.
But our biggest YouTube hit of all time was a spur of the moment live broadcast tour of our friend Ben’s bus. Despite the low-res video and lousy camera work, this video has almost crossed the one million view mark – and it still seems to be getting viewed even today.
But compared to our heyday – Technomadia YouTube traffic has ground to a halt.
Our long-form irregularly uploaded content just doesn’t go over well with the algorithm-driven modern YouTube experience.
And I really think YouTube penalizes us because we keep opting-out of letting YouTube insert ads into the middle of our videos.
Sure – the start and end are fine, but interruptions are SO rude!
I’d rather no one watch than force people to watch un-skippable garbage ads inserted right in the middle of our videos.
For the past several years our annual subscriber growth on the Technomadia YouTube channel has been negative – we’re at 77K subscribers and slowly sliding, meaning that we are now unlikely to ever earn a snazzy YouTube silver play button.
So if YouTube is dying…
What next?
Is It Time To Embrace TikTok?
Perhaps there is no use fighting it anymore…
People only have 15 second attention spans.
YouTube content measured in “minutes” seems like an eternity.
And blog posts filled with WORDS seem endless.
What the world seems to want is short form TikTok content.
Short repeating snippets of inanity and fail and fast talking.
So is that what’s next for Technomadia?
A few dozen new TikTok posts a week – adding up to perhaps an entire minute of actually interesting content?
If TikTok works out – the YouTube channel and the blog can both be archived.
Even the Technomadia Facebook account could get mothballed.
And if I can figure out how to log in to shut down our Technomadia Twitter X account, I’ll turn that off too.
From here on out – we could be 100% focused on TikTok!
Here’s the potential future – lots more content like this:
@technomadia
What do you think?
TikTok Downsides
But before we contemplate shutting down the blog and YouTube channel – maybe some deliberation is in order.
Is TikTok really the future of all media?
As someone who has recently been forcing myself to try out TikTok for more than just a few moments at a time, I have some observations:
- Human eyes are horizontal, therefore video should be landscape and not portrait. Duh.
- Video clips should not auto-repeat. If someone wants to watch something twice, they can choose to do so manually. Auto-repeat is a curse. Auto-start is almost as bad. The play buttons was invented for a reason!
- Video really shouldn’t be edited with sped up footage and such fast cuts so that people need to watch things multiple times to figure out what is going on. Pushing people to watch something multiple times might make the algorithm happy, but it makes actual real people sad, anxious, and frustrated.
- What is up with the TikTok app UI being layered on top of video?!? If I am watching a video, I don’t need to see hearts flying past, or buttons and captions obscuring content.
- Seriously – what is with the chopped up snippets of songs?!?
Cherie’s response just now when I showed her the exciting TikTok content I have been creating:
“I don’t get it.”
The millennial and younger crowd might think I sound like a cranky old geezer ranting away against progress – but I am a proud Gen-X’er who will always be on team wide-screen.
TikTok makes my brain hurt – and most short form content on TikTok, Shorts, and Reels tends to leaves me feeling unsatisfied and anxious.
Perhaps TikTok isn’t for us after all…
Eighteen – Old Enough To Vote!
Since my nomadic life is 18 and is of voting age – it seems appropriate to leave the TikTok decision and the fate of Technomadia up to a vote.
So we ask everyone reading (!!!) this to reply with your choice:
- TikTok all the way! Nothing else!
- TikTok is making me claw my eyeballs out. Never ever mention the word “TikTok” again! Delete the Technomadia TikTok page!
- Give up and stop sharing online entirely.
- Blogging and vlogging and sharing in a way that feels fun and authentic is all that matters – no matter how you do it.
- I am an AI – I can summarize this post, but I can not legally vote… yet.
Cast your vote by commenting wherever you have seen this post shared – Kiki will be left as the final arbitrator.
Results will be announced on TikTok.
Maybe.
If I can manage to keep from deleting the app long enough.
UPDATE: Here are the results – announced on TikTok, as promised:
@technomadiaDelete the Technomadia blog and YouTube channel, and focus only on TikTok?!? The vote results are in!
The results were overwhelming in favor of option #4 – “sharing in a way that feels fun and authentic”.
That means we will keep on sharing here on the blog, on YouTube, and wherever else feels fun. Maybe even TikTok.
On occasion.
On rare occasion.
My Vote: Share As If No One Is Watching
I am personally firmly in the “Vote #4” camp.
I’d rather share something that inspires just one person, rather than share some quick clip that gets looped a million times.
Dance as if no one is watching.
Blog as if no one is reading.
Vlog as if no on is tuning in.
And Tik your Toks as if you were an ADHD cyclops on speed.
Do what works for you – and who cares if there is an audience.
That’s what keeps things fun, and that’s what ultimately finds your people.
This is how we have always treated Technomadia – it is our personal space to share what works for us, and what we enjoy creating. We do it for fun!
And I personally like crafting long introspective semi-serious Nomadiversary posts – posting on the blog just once or twice a year.
Cherie loves posting semi-regular travel updates – mostly just to archive our memories, and to pass on some bits of inspiration.
To hell with chasing the algorithm!
We don’t do this for clicks, views, advertising, or “influence”.
We’re just doing our thing – and we love to have those of you that we click with following along.
Thanks for being here – some of you for nearly 18 years now!
PSA: Be smart about what you watch, read, or listen to!
When it comes to watching YouTube, reading blogs, listening to podcasts, surfing TikTok, or even reading or watching the news – we should all do our best to fight back against the algorithm.
Media algorithms (no matter the site) are focused on what will get you to click – and what will get you to “engage” with or share the most profitable content.
This means the algorithms will always surface stuff that is most likely to grab your attention (click bait!), or content that tells you what you want hear, or that makes you angry, or that pushes whatever agenda those paying the bills have in mind.
The algorithm cares only about engagement and revenue – not about if you view something and emerge inspired, smarter, more empathetic and connected to those around you, or even just satisfied and entertained.
Focus on breaking free from what the algorithm is spoon feeding you. Don’t just mindlessly surf – find and engage with what makes YOU feel satisfied and inspired.
And when you find creators that that really inspire or entertain you, tell them!
As Gandhi famously said: “Be the algorithm that you wish to see in the world.”
And if TikTok had been around when he first said it – he probably would have choreographed a really banging Bollywood dance number to go along with that timeless quote.
Nomadiversary Memory Lane:
Today (April 1st, 2024) is my eighteenth Nomadiversary!
18 years (!!!!) on the road and water…
Here are some links to my (mostly) annual past posts.
Step back in time and check out some of our past adventures:
- Seventeenth Nomadiversary (2023) — A Nomadiversary post co-written with AI – with some serious warnings about the risks of this emerging new technology. This post is pretty epic – check it out!
- Sixteenth Nomadiversary (2022) — A “Sweet 16” montage, chronicling my journey from fledgling nomad through today.
- Fifteenth Nomadiversary (2021) — Sharing about the magic of “5G” vaccines, and some of the people who have most inspired me over the years.
- Fourteenth Nomadiversary (2020) — Thoughts on being a nomad in a newly locked down, pandemic ravaged world.
- Thirteenth Nomadiversary (2019) — I explain how we move our Mini Cooper between ports using prototype self-driving technology, summoning the car to us remotely.
- Twelfth Nomadiversary (2018) — Some mathematical analysis of the future trends in boondocking, extraploting out a future with millions of boondockers fighting over every scrap of desert as the suburbs turn empty.
- Eleventh Nomadiversary (2017) — We contemplate some innovative ways to bring Zephyr along now that we are living part of the year on the water.
- Tenth Nomadiversary (2016) — I share my past history traveling with a powered paramotor, and our future plans to renovate a Zeppelin to be a flying RV. Meanwhile, we were actually already secretly starting our hunt for a boat.
- Ninth Nomadiversary (2015) — Sharing test results of LTTE boosters. Not to be confused with cellular LTE boosting, LTTE boosting (Libation: Technology Tribulation Elimination) is an even more critical element of a technomad’s tech arsenal.
- Eighth Nomadiversary (2014) — Way too swamped and stressed with launching RVillage and dealing with Millenicom madness to write anything wistful or witty.
- Seventh Nomadiversary (2013) — At last revealing the real reason I first decided to hit the road…
- Sixth Nomadiversary (2012) — Reminiscing about all the changes over the years.
- Fifth Nomadiversary (2011) — Giving up nomadism and buying a condo (not!) in the Virgin Islands.
- Fourth Nomadiversary (2010) — Discovering the secret prize that comes inside every box of wine.
- Third Nomadiversary (2009) — Camped on a beach near Malibu, watching dolphins frolic.
- Second Nomadiversary (2008) — Working with Cherie to custom design our Oliver, moving up from a trailer ideal for one to one made for two.
- First Nomadiversary (2007) — Preparing to set out with Cherie, reminiscing about my first very eventful year on the road — setting off solo and finding an amazing partner along the way. (This links to my pre-Technomadia solo blog!)
I always enjoy your articulate, wry, illustrated communications. I receive your blogs via Feedly and follow you on YouTube. I’ve been a wannabe RVer for about the last decade, but still here in the Canadian apartment … for various reasons retired and not likely to change. So probably not your target audience. My interests have recently changed from fiber arts to photography (another art seemingly to be subsumed by algorithms). I dip into Twitter (screw you e. musk) a couple times a year, Never installed FB or TikTok. I do battle with Instagram. Love how you do you.
Thanks for your continued work. I get your point and don’t disagree with your assessment. Our lives are changing at a more rapid rate. This includes our choice of media consumption. I am of the opinion that one should produce content because they want to, to satisfy their personal needs. Of course if one depends on the content for revenue, that’s a whole different issue. I like reading your blog and watching your vids. I am 67 an my RV traveling has slowed. I admit that I watch tic tok for hours at the expense of health improving exercise. My vote is that you do you. Let the world turn as it may. Question your motives. Just know you are loved and cherished by many.
Chris,
Been reading and following you guys since 2015. Just wanted you to know how much your efforts are appreciated. Been a member of MIA for many years and still follow your blog regularly. Mark me down as a “4” but adamantly “2”.
I still read the email blogs. I also enjoy the YouTube videos. I do scroll through TikTok, but unfortunately I have not seen any of your post on there. It would be great if you could continue to share on multiple platforms.
#4 for Me
#4 & #2. Don’t do TikTok, do very few YouTubes. Keep in mind that fast internet is not everywhere — we live south of Durango, CO, & get at best 2 bars, with — again at best — 6 Mbps. StarLink is out of my budget. Plus I’m old & prefer reading. So…keep on blogging!!
I vote #4. I read ALL of your blog posts. No AI or TikTok, please. I also watch most of your travel videos as well.
#4 and #2. I really hate short text conversations, email is still better, but then I developed email clients back in the old bang mail days on Unix
Which email client did you write?!
I used to be a big Pine user – before Mozilla came along and integrated in decent email.
And I actually wrote my own basic IMAP client as a programming project once, learning the spec.
Email back when it was pure and simple!
I wish we could edit our comments. I Know how much work the blog is. I appreciate the time you take to write. I follow you guys, Bumfuzzle, Our Oddysey and Live Work Dream. I look forward to those posts to make my wanderer heart happy.
I enjoy the blogs. I get notification through email about your posts. I read faster than video content. I don’t watch your YouTube’s; so I don’t know how they are. Most tubers make me crazy. I do not TikTok. I’m sure I miss stuff, I don’t care. I do use Instagram. It has its short comings. But so much content. I hate you tube and it’s inserted ads. I only use it for tech videos on how to do something.
I vote for the blog.
We don’t watch a ton of YouTube – but if we did, I think I’d splurge for YouTube Red to get rid of the advertising. We never put up with advertising on any of the streaming services we subscribe too – it is so disruptive.
But the crazy thing is – I actually personally LIKE when ads are limited and relevant and (best of all) local. If there was a way I could opt-in to only quality ads and not the chum bucket, I’d actually be OK with it I think.
The nice thing about our blog is we can leave the ads off. I hate how so many bloggers have run Google ads that are awful, and the bloggers are at best only making a few dollars. That is a lot of downside.
#4 blogging is wonderful, interesting and creative ! followed for years and years. Vlogging…sometimes. The most important is to love what we do.
I vote for #4. I love reading the blog and seeing you, Cherie and Kiki on video. I don’t do social media. Takes a lot of time. Having said all of that, do what is best for you.
Happy Nomadiversary.
I really wish there was a social media site that was focused on maximizing community and connection more so than on shareholder value and ROI. Every social network seems to just keep getting worse over time…
I vote 4 but 2 too.
I vote for #4. I enjoy sitting in my chair, reading your blog. I have been following you since you bought the bus.
I enjoy reading the written word, so put me down for # 4.
Always enjoy reading the posts, learning of new places and adventures. Began following in 2013 shortly before going full-time. Now that we live in Florida and have transitioned to a van , we are still learning and enjoy reading the blog. #4 for us
2013 – you get a 10+ year follower pin! (It is invisible – you are wearing it now…)
Thanks for being around so long.
#4! You do you and hopefully I can follow you. I have Tik Tok but I don’t go there to do anything serious, I mean those videos are so short I can watch then for fun or introductions to products I might like to check out. I think I’ve said it before but “thank you” for all you’ve shared over the years. I learned so much from you guys and was so much more prepared to take on full-time RVing because of you guys.
4 with a caveat. Experiment with all platforms and reach people where they are. It might be that the TikTok generation isn’t interested in your content, but you won’t know if you don’t try. Long form content takes a lot of time, but see if there are ways to speed up the production process. My driving goal is to document what I am doing in my life, and if it’s helpful to other people, it might make good content in the form of a blog post, video, tweet, etc. Speed of production is what I am trying to optimize at this point.
I have followed your posts for several years and like the current format. I like that y’all share your adventures with us. I comment rarely but never miss a post. Please continue with sharing in whatever format you choose. I hope to be able to follow…
I am one of the dinosaurs who likes to read well written blogs, which yours is, so I vote for #4.
I vote #4. I so much prefer reading that I even switch on subtitles on videos so I can read them.
Yep – we are in team subtitles too!
I’m on the older end of the scale so I’m a reader and sometimes writer.
My grandkids swear by Tik Tok – I swear AT it.
Option #4 for me!
The one thing I do like about some TikTok videos is that they have prominent captions synced to the audio so that you can still watch with the sound muted by reading.
But yeah – so far it just comes across as mental junk food for me.
#4 – I’m at the older end of Gen X and I love reading blogs. BTW, I’m also still addicted to Facebook, love seeing the adventures of Kiki and her peeps when they pop up on Facebook. So no Tick Tock for me.
Kiki hasn’t posted on her Facebook page in a LONG time. I might have to prod her to do so!
Option 4 for me!
“Do what works for you.”
Amen!
I don’t do TikTok at all but I might be in the minority. I vote for #4 and just do what you enjoy the most.
So far I think TikTok users have been the vast minority voting. No surprise – not many avid TikTok’ers would have had the attention span to get through a long blog post! *grin*
You guys brought up a good point – how to communicate. For the record, I communicate via email, Facebook and YouTube. Having said that, I rarely post on FB, I follow my groups, and that is about it. I don’t tic-tok, blog or X. There is not enough time in my life to do it all. FYI, I started on X while on the Great Loop because this is how Canada communicates about their locks. X is a wast e of good time. Worthless. Unless you want to get into a political discourse and spar knowing you will not change anyone mind. Stay with YouTube. It works. And stay with email newsletters. I can still read.
Babe – our relationship might have outlived a Sprint contract. But I’m pretty sure switching us to TikTok might impact things in a negative way :). I vote for #2.. delete it!
“Cast your vote by commenting wherever you have seen this post shared – Kiki will be left as the final arbitrator.
Results will be announced on TikTok.”
If that’s the case then I’ll miss the results. Not a TikToker and don’t plan on starting.
John
Congratulations on your Nomadiversary!
I’m team option 4. I’ve always appreciated your authentic and super informative posts. The problem with short form is that context and nuance are often missing which leads to mis- and disinformation, IMO.
Exactly! Short form is fun for sports clips and fail videos, where context and nuance usually are wasted.
But for anything else – I really have a hard time feeling satisfied with any video served as a Blipvert.
yep…been reading since about 2014 and still love the blog. Don’t quit!
I have too much information on my computers, IPads and phone. I don’t think Tik Tok is safe to download. I agree with Nina too, I’m not a fan of getting sucked in a time robbing loop.
I still like blogs. I see information disappear all the time on Facebook so it’s not a good a reference as it once was. I still look back on your information for life on the road.
Good luck whatever you decide!
I hope it wasn’t too vague in the post – I somehow don’t think there is much chance of TikTok winning the vote with this audience.
*grin*
As always, thoroughly enjoy your long and entertaining annual nomadiversary post! Of course we vote #4! And I will never forgive 2014 (RVillage / Millenicom) for hijacking your energy and attention to such a degree you were unable to write your 8th tome! Now I know why you followed us on TikTok last week.:: I was curious why you were there! Ha! As always, we learn and grow from what you share, and feel the same about so much of all this crazy content creation world! And yes our youtube channel has also languished and is shrinking… down to 52.1k subs last time I checked. No silver play button in our future either – and we never even tried. When YT stopped being fun for us we stopped… which happened to coincide with the rise of the clickbait drama channels that will do anything for views. Ugh! Keep on being you! We appreciate you both so much! And are overdue for some virtual (LTE) libations together eh?
Maybe we could fabricate a Silver Pause Button for those of us who refuse to chase the algorithm?
We will be thinking of you guys at the Eclipse! And indeed – we should do a virtual happy hour at some point.
Yay!
Another vote for #4, and I much prefer words to long videos. 18 years, wow, congrats! I’m currently debating what to with my long-neglected blog…
I love this. And read the whole thing…yup I’m a geezer by modern standards. Honestly I can’t handle TikTok…I did try once and almost ended up disintegrating into a quantum video loop, which might have been fun except I became such a mindless zombie I didn’t even notice. I still love blogging, but it’s become a sliding scale to the few. It’s a tough business out there. I vote the good old-fashioned written word, but will love you whatever you do ❤️❤️
Nina
p.s soooo fun to see your early videos
Words & photos for the win!
And long chill video, sometimes.
Fifteen second repeating clips on the other hand?!!? Quantum video loop indeed!
For communications, consider your target audience. I’m a retiree and will not switch to TicTok. I don’t know average age if your audience but I’d be surprised if they’re the TicTok generation.
The whole point of this post is my suggestion that personal creators should not spend any time at all thinking about a “target audience” – and they should just create things that they personally find enjoyable to make.
I somehow don’t think TikTok will end up being our primary platform anytime soon – it is just not all that enjoyable… *grin*
Hey Chris (and Cherie)! 🙂 Neal Davis here. No, sadly I was not around as a viewer, lurker in 2009. Wish that I had been, but work was still interesting and even fun some days. So I didn’t wander to YouTube to mentally distance myself from work and live vicariously through your adventures. However, later all that changed, I found your channel, and joyously fled there for many years! Thank you for giving sanctuary to an unhappy worker bee! I certainly do enjoy seeing how you are, where you are, and what you’re doing. I vote #4. Down with Tik Tok. I still have found no reason to load that application onto my phone. Happy nomadiversary! May you have many more! Safe travels! 🙂
Thanks Neal!
It is a weird app.
The video editing bits are actually pretty powerful and fun, but I find the experience as a viewer maddening. I will give it a bit more time, but I keep finding my finger wanting to hit the Delete App button too!
I first found you, Cherie and Kiki by searching on RVing with cats about 5 years ago. Over time I also found the Wynns, Always on Liberty and others. You’ve all been inspirational and last year we embarked on our first month long RV vacation with our 18 year old cat. He was a little stressed at first but settled in just fine.
I vote #4. I much prefer longer posts as they allow you to share not only your experiences but something of yourself. I find those types of post the most engaging regardless of the platform. Keep it up!
Maybe we’ll run onto you on the road somewhere. Safe travels!
Yay for team #4!
It is April Fools Day
I thought you were going to tell the world you switched to having your own RV Airplane since traveling by water and roadways is old news
So I vote for continuing the blogs
Doing a monthly 5 minute you tube
And weekly TikTok post. Then we can marvel at your talents
Plus post Facebook and instagram including Reels if you want us Boomers to be engaged
Check back to my tenth Nomadiversary post – when I talked about switching from an RV to a Zeppelin.
That is how I travel in my dreams. *grin*
Instagram? Egads – I almost forgot about Instagram!
I used to enjoy Instagram when it was all friends and photos.
But once Instagram began focusing primarily on short video clips, it just lost all interest for me.
Whether it is Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube shorts – there is something about short videos that I really have a hard time enjoying.
I really wish Instagram had a “photos only” mode!
Blogging and vlogging and sharing in a way that feels fun and authentic is all that matters – no matter how you do it.
I don’t do Tik Tok, and YouTube just a bit.
Would rather read than listen, sometimes peoples’ voices get in the way
Been following you for at least 8 years, always happy to see a new post.
Indeed – I often would rather read than listen or watch.
Sometimes I actually even read the transcripts of YouTube videos rather than watch them with the sound on!
Everyone needs to find and follow what clicks for them personally – there is no one best way, no matter what the algorithm tries to push creators towards. 🙂