Blog-intellectualitiness

27 Sep 2008, 03:12

Edited by Jose Martel Penate, 27 Sep 2008, 13:47

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This is a copy of my reply to blog post on another blog:

X,

I'd hardly say that keeping a blog can be called "vanity publishing". My idea of vanity publishing is someone using their own money to print their manuscript/composition (that has been rejected by publishing houses) for a very limited public distribution. Though blogging may have some similar characteristics, can it really be called the same?

I would agree that probably more often than not, blogs one may come across (out there in the world) will be of little interest. If that is the case, I would suggest you follow one simple rule: don't read them. However, I'm sure you wouldn't propose the creation of a "Blog-Police" to ensure that standards of ... what?... "intellectualness" are kept up.

You mention 2 overriding, fundamental questions:
* Do I have something important to say?
* Is a blog the most effective way of communicating what I have to say to my intended audience?

I think few of us ever know if we have something "important" to say or blog. And what's the definition of "important" here anyway? And "important" to who? I would be willing to bet that if all the bloggers in the world were asked the question, "Should you always blog about something important?", the vast majority would say no. Blogging is often about being a part of a community; sharing oneself and learning about others. I'm not sure that a blogging community would last long or be very popular if the only posts written were strictly to the point with no human references or touch allowed. I'd say that blogs are often written and posted at those odd little times of the day when one can put work/study/the kids aside for a moment and escape to that virtual world were one can find real understanding. For me and my H808 blog, those times of the day are breaks in my study, a time to let my mind relax, explore, let go, and that is reflected in the kind of things I've blogged. Admittedly, a lot of what I've written may not make sense (to you), but I wanted to write it, and so I did. And you can read it or not read it, that's your choice. What I wrote was important to me, and that's enough.

As to whether a blog is/can be the most effective means of communicating with an intended audience, I suppose that depends. One could send emails, but that's personal not public. One could post a reply in the group forums, which are public, but more impersonal. When I read a blog I get the feeling of entering a private-public space; a space that is private, yet open to the public. The blogger's views are not thrust upon me, as an email invading my private space would be, and their posts have (I like to think) a more human and sometimes more intimate quality - not usually present in forum posts - that I feel is necessary for a sense of community. So, blogging may not always be the most effective communication tool, but is being effective always that important?

Jose