I gotta say that at this point, the fact that a major newspaper can so totally miss the significance of blogs just escapes me. Here’s the USA Today today:
These days, the hype about blogs is off the charts.
And you know what that usually means: Run for cover, because a bubble is going to burst and make a big mess.
Just about everybody is either celebrating blogs or worrying about blogs, which are essentially online journals.
Ah, yes, the old bubble is bursting analogy. Wow. The good news is we don’t have to believe anything written by someone who would still refer to a Weblog as “essentially [an] online journal.” Goodness gracious.
And I’m not even droning on about education here, ok? I could list about a bazillion blogs that do anything but capture the dreadfully pedantic day to day occurences of our lives and focus instead on actually articulating what the authors THINK instead of what they DO.
What a concept.
Yes, but in a few years, we’ll look back on the blog craze thing and think “how quaint.” Because by then the big bad blog will be supplanted by something bigger and better, which will in turn be overrun by something even bigger and better and…you get the picture. So stick the fork in. We’re almost done.
Not a moment too soon.
Hi,
Although I’ve been telling myself it’s just that my contrarian reflex was stimulated and I should let it go and move on, I’m finally impelled to comment on the blogs v. journals matter. What gets my goat, whenever I see it, is the condescension applied to those who make the “mistake” of conflating the two. Here’s why:
1. Whatever their differences, blogs are more like journals than they are like anything else. The analogy is a good way for the uninitiated to get an first understanding of what a web log is.
2. Many bloggers blog in a style that would be just as well suited to journaling.
3. I generally read blogs exactly like I would read a journal. Like just about everyone else I know who follows blogs, I’m stealing time away from other things to nurture the habit. I consider it a victory for self control that I don’t read the comments (or the trackbacks, for heaven’s sake). This is the first time I’ve felt moved to comment on a blog (feeling guilty all the while about the time I’m taking to do so), and if I were in my usual readership mode, I would never see this comment – and obviously not have missed that much. Although I admit it’s neat that one can comment on a blog post, it’s just not earthshaking.
4. It strikes me as typical of a proselytizer to exaggerate the differences betweeh what s/he believes and the beliefs of others who do not share her/his vision. For me, that attitude has a repelling rather than a compelling effect.
-Peter
Hi Peter, Thanks for leaving your first comment here, and I sincerely hope you leave many more. Your points are well taken, and I know I’m overly sensitive to this. I’m probably the one who needs to let it go and move on. ;0)
Having said that… (Moving on is hard.)
I just want to say again that I find absolutely nothing wrong with online journaling depending on the form it takes. I do have trouble with what some kids do on Xanga or Myspace, but for the most part I’m all for the form.
My narrow definition of blogging hurts me here too. And I’m sure that’s the root of the condescension you hear. After four years of writing about this merits of this technology as it applies to education I guess I just want it recognized for the thinking that can go into it. Again, not to say that journaling doesn’t take thinking. But what I’m hoping teachers do with blogs is to get students to think and write critically, employing deconstructive and reflective strategies that journaling does not require. Maybe I just need to keep saying that in a less critical way.
Finally, I don’t mean to exaggerate the differences in beliefs as much as I just want people (reporters) to acknowledge that there are other potential uses for blogs with kids. There are tons of stories that say they divulge details about their lives, flirt with each other, and attract predators. All I want is the same number of stories that say they enhance learning, connect people and resources, and allow students to contribute meaningful and important ideas.
I appreciate your comment, and I mean that sincerely. It makes me think, and that’s ultimately what I, at least, believe this is all about.