I’ve shunned the idea of creating a blog for quite some time, but then again, I did the same with Facebook almost three years ago. I now have nearly 600 friends on the infamous social network and check my profile almost daily (I sit at the cool lunch table too). It’s almost scary how these online “hobbies” can pull you in.
Look at my dad, Bill Sledzik. His blog, Tough Sledding, started out as an innocent “experiment” by an academic searching to find value in the new phenomena for the Public Relations field. Now with over a year of published blog posts, like so many others around the globe, he’s been consumed by the blogo-sphere.
Though I’m sure my dad would shudder to see that my first blog post is a hypocritical conglomeration of rants, I have to give him credit for keeping me informed on this evolving information resource. But I’m still skeptical about finding any real value in blog-based information. As with most things in the Web 2.0 world, application is relatively useless but awareness of what’s happening is crucial.
So what really is happening out here in blog-land? And do I really have to join in to find out? My old man even admits that the blogo-sphere is an “echo-chamber” and the majority of people paying attention are other bloggers. Some of his recent posts mimic a school-yard argument and are a perfect example of how no one’s paying attention to us … except us. (And I don’t even like the idea of being included in “us”).
Anyway, I have no real conviction to start or continue blogging — but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Maybe as my continued education fuels a slow maturity I’ll quit “Facebook-creeping” and start yelling into the echo chamber. Remember, It’s all relative … ly useless.
3 comments:
Hey, if nothing else, a blog is a great place to develop your online writing style -- you know, to find your voice.
But you'll also find a network of folks in the b-sphere who actually know what they're talking about -- and they have real influence in their niche areas. Had an interesting discussion about this today with the digital creative director at the world's largest PR firm. I'll blog about it when I get time -- really interesting stuff.
I'm also finding myself in demand as a source for mainstream media as a result of my blog -- 5 interviews in the last month.
One thing you WILL learn from this experiment is that Wordpress and TypePad are superior platforms. What made you pick Blogger?
I know it's probably embarrassing to have your first comment come from your dad, but you tagged me. It's blogger's courtesy to come back at you.
It should be noted that I didn't tell my dad I referenced him in my post, rather he was notified when I linked to his blog.
See how quickly the echo chamber starts to suck you in?
Hey, Nephew/Godson:
Funny how the old geezer couldn't muster up the energy to walk down to the living room to talk to you about this! It reminds me of the times when your cousin, Monica, would sit on the front porch and call your aunt and me on her cellphone while we were sitting in the backyard!
He sort of got me involved with this stuff, too. I'm not nearly as obsessed as he is, though. It is kind of somewhat OK, but a real chore.
You think his ears are burning right now? Or will he find out about my post via Technorati?
Good luck in your studies. Give my best to Max Grubb.
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