Mon 26 Jun 2006
If you believe the hype, blogs are as significant as the invention of the printing press for their ability to change the way the world will be seen. If, on the other hand, you believe the counter-hype, blogs are a self-indulgence which pander to dull people’s misguided beliefs that they have something interesting to say.
That made me laugh. This BBC article says some good things about blogging and what it all means in today’s media.
Lest I acquire any self-delusions alluded to above, I simply check the daily visit count on this blog!
June 29th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
I like the quote that “although the word blog suggests attitude and subversion, it’s really just a hi-tech kind of diary and carries the identical risk of Pooterism.”
Pooterism. Did he really say that?
AC
June 30th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Here is an insightful article by Alan Jacobs on why the architecture of blogs is “the friend of information, but the enemy of thought”.
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:14 pm
That was an interesting article, Jeff. I agree with him that blogs are not a good venue for the development of thought, but I wouldn’t call them the enemy of thought. Simply because the medium is used by thoughtless people doesn’t mean it militates against the development of thought through other venues. What he wants is a public, moderated discussion on a bulletin board. Or, put another way, Wikipedia.com is what he wants.
July 4th, 2006 at 9:56 am
Jerry,
He is a writer and though he would more than likely grant your techincal correction, I believe he would still prefer the literary punch of the “friend”/”enemy” metaphor.