Blogging Hitting The Big Time

Even the Economist has an whole special section on blogging on its latest issue. What I found surprising was that 41% of blogs are written in Japanese. Those guys are technology nuts over there!

This transition away from the mass media has been going on for a while. In terms of TV watching and radio listening, I have really cut down the amount of time I spend on those mediums. I do still read magazines and newspapers, but the ability to be disrupted by advertisements is not an issue. I go in, get the info I want and get out. No waiting around because a commercial break kicks in.

I think everyone can relate to particpatory media. We all get that warm and fuzzy feeling when people comment on our blogs, and we feel validated that our opinions are, if not approved, at least read and digested. It's human nature to be involved in conversations, as well as providing an outlet for our perspectives.

The big question is will having all these extra opinions help? Yes, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but does it add any value? The more voices there are, the less anyone can stand out as a voice of authority. It might mean that it's even harder now to determine what's good and what's bad. Sometimes ignorance is bliss :) For me, though, I would like to know the other side of the coin, and blogging is definitely a way to understand how other people think.

Damn! five cheap calls already:

"The big question is will having all these extra opinions help? Yes, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but does it add any value?"

The answer to both parts is, of course, yes. While not all blogs are equal, (some have much higher 'influencer' measures than others), for so long as we live, having an opinion is indicia that we, as sentient beings, have the ability to reason, to argue and that we are not wasting our God-given gifts to exercise these talents.

And most certainly it adds value. Blogs are here to stay and are not some random, temporal idea that's going to dissipate faster than dot.com-era shareholder wealth. For as long as we live in a civilisation with a diverse range of beliefs and interests, any and all viewpoints will continue to enrich our life-long experiences. And for as long as we live in a participatory democracy, it is our civic right and duty to express such opinions. But what makes blogging different is that unlike a backyard BBQ conversation, those opinions are attributable and on public display. While blogging may have the kitsch of the new to it, it has become one of the most efficient ways to get our message across to whoever wants to hear it - and isn't that just the lifeblood of freedom?

In short, blogging's really just the devolution downwards of the privileges of the old media - and those that control it.
Stephen (link) - 23 April '06 - 15:28

yeah, I've gotta get up my blog and start documenting my sexcapades here in Japan :-o Then I can stop spamming your blog.

Speaking of which, should be buying the car tomorrow. A mazda bongo friendee diesel 4wd with popup roof. A real beast, should be on the road for under $3,000 if all goes well at auction.

www.autoadvan.co.uk/vehicle/4ebay04.jpg

Check out that roof-poppin' madness!

RC
randomcow (email) - 26 April '06 - 09:24

What a crazy car! Which part of Japan are you in now? Wish I could visit...
Al
Al - 02 May '06 - 23:05

Haha, quality car mate. Send me a picture of you next to it (on in that roof) when it's purchased.

Wise words Stephen. The ability to participate is vastly more available with the internet (and blogging) than it has ever been.
JookBoy (link) - 06 May '06 - 06:16

dude, I've been marked as a spammer by your blog. I think it's because I tried to post with five links in my last post.

RC
randomcow - 07 May '06 - 18:09