Changing Media and Why I blog …..

I just read this interesting article from Sarah Lacy on TechCrunch and she makes a couple of interesting points at the start of that article about what is good and what is bad about the way the media is changing.

It is true that there is somewhat of a democratisation of the media through the blogosphere and utilities such as reader comments and ranking systems. Services such as Digg, del.icio.us and other ranking services further assist in that process. There is a risk that democratically measured popularity will always mean that the most visible content won’t always be the best reportage, nor the most thought provoking or most topical articles - it will always be what is most clicked, searched or linked. A look at the most popular stories on News.com.au and smh.com.au will show you that tales or monsters, ‘celebrities’, titties or freaks often rank the highest.

This article however, did get me thinking about blogging, and in particular why I blog. Now nearly 4 years into my blogging, I have a clear view of what it is that I expect from my blog. I don’t purport to be an authority on all things digital and I certainly don’t consider myself to be an infallible oracle of the subject. I do know that there are a few people out there who appreciate my passion for the topic and that I do, sometimes, take the time to jot down my observations, any questions or conclusions they generate and any links to any resources I may have found on the subject. Mind you, I have been doing this for a very long time, done OK out of it and have driven a fair few major innovations in the field. You could say I have earned my stripes.

I guess then, the question arises as to what others expect from blogs. I read blogs because I understand them for what they are; a source of access to opinion or expertise and in the better cases, both. I find it wonderful that I can get access to the thoughts and activities of some of the greatest minds, leaders, professionals, sports people, performers, political leaders and others, all through the power of their blogs. I always temper what I read in the context of who has written it and why they are motivated to do so, but some of the best ideas and information comes from these sources. The more it goes on, the better the good blogs become and the more powerful blogs come as a medium.

Which brings me to those who choose deride or insult those who make the time to blog (like this valuable contribution to my blog). If you have something intelligent or new to add to the discussion – any discussion – feel free. Otherwise, the rest of the internet is a click away…. move on.