Question for 9/15: Based on today's readings and the blogs you have been reading, in what ways is blogging changing and/or influencing (or not) our ways of communicating and creating/participating in community?
After reading about blogging in the past couple of weeks, I feel left out -- some how I've not known about the kind of blogging that is going on in academic communities and so am not a participant -- yet. As I read through the articles assigned for 9/15, I have a sense of urgency that I must participate. It feels, almost, like I will miss out on the important news of the academy. This is a disconcerting feeling, as I don't want to be left behind.
So as I read the piece of by Henry Farrell -- "The Blogosphere as a Carnival of Ideas"- I for the first time tried to imagine myself starting a blog to further my academic career. Would I have enough to blog about? Could I deepen my own thinking about assessment of basic writers by blogging? Would I also feel the need to blog about work and the politics at DACC, and would I end up compromised somehow? As soon as these ideas found themselves lingering in my head, I began thinking of ways of making sure that others would read my musings. This is particularly interesting in light on my conversation with Kaleb in class last Wed when I expressed an utter lack of understanding as to why people spend so much time blogging.
But then I read the interview with Ratliff -- "Clancy Ratliff: Blogger, Scholar... Blogger-Scholar"- by Meredith Graupner and Christine Deneker and put my feet back on the ground. Her suggestion, which I think I'll take up at some point, is not to start one's own blog but to join existing blogging communities. This feels like a good place to start.
How does my rant relate to the question for today? I guess that as I begin to take part in academic blogging communities and not only recognize but value their existence, I will almost certainly develop connections and ideas that I wouldn't otherwise.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Those are my thoughts exactly susan, that we are likely missing out on quite a bit of information by NOT participating in blogs. It seems like they have quite a bit to offer and I too, don't think I have been involved enough...
Susan-
I think that reading/commenting on other blogs is a great step in joining the community. I'm glad you are pointing to that urgency of belonging and participation connected to blogging. I think we all feel that way when we read these articles. Even if you are blogging, it seems you should be blogging more often or reading more blogs or something. This is a problem with all new media, I think. Staying caught up can where you out and is sort of impossible.
I think your plan to make blogs work for you - rather than the other way around - is wise. They are great places to start conversations and store ideas. Don't be bullied by the pressure to publish and to participate just to belong. Make blogging work for you.
Oh, yeah ... it's not like I didn't know blogs were out there. I just never where to jump in. It's not like I never thought about blogging - I always wanted to be a columnist. I loved reading Irma Bombeck when I was raising a family and other columnists.
But now that we've had this exposure we're asking ourselves where have we been these last 8 to 10 years. And is it too late to start now? Isn't the next new thing on the horizon already?
Post a Comment