Blogs, Twitter and the read/write evolution

I recently (five minutes ago) discovered this blog and read an analogy I liked between blogging and music formats. The author was discussing a possible reason for the recent slowing down of blogging:

I probably see blogging now as the album format with something like Rejaw or Tumblr as the EP format (macro-blogging?) together with Twitter and others (status updates) being analogous to the single in digital download format. Dubious though my analogy may well be I hope it illustrates that I see this dissipation as all being part of the same offering.

Well, I’ve come to blogging late and it seems, according to some, I’ve almost missed the boat. Should I stop embarrassing myself with the long blog posts which are apparently so passe? Or should I continue to indulge myself, knowing that my novice posts are a necessary part of my early stages of evolution, a purging perhaps, an outpouring of the silenced thoughts of previous decades?

Twitter I’ve only recently added to my online life (told you I was a latecomer), and I still feel like an outsider there, posting the odd tweet in the hope of being heard, of being accepted into a conversation. Mobile computing is not part of my diet yet, and that may change in the future if I reinvent my commitment to the latest technology. I agree with the abovementioned author that the initial overwhelming addiction to regular blogging is slowly receding –

I don’t have that mania for a daily post as perhaps I did in the past. I’ve allowed various social networking and micro-blogging outlets to soak up a range of smaller spontaneous thoughts.

The blog is still, for me, the place that I call my own, where I can take the time to express ideas and share interesting finds, whereas the microblogging is a little like fast food – it’s quick and it fills the spot, but you wouldn’t savour it.  As said author has stated so well –

My point is that it’s all just platforms, formats, vehicles or just another tool. It’s either the evolution of blogging or the slow dilution of a once powerful creative outlet into a series of side alleys and cul-de-sacs.

8 thoughts on “Blogs, Twitter and the read/write evolution”

  1. I really think there is a significant future in blogging.

    Forrester would call what is happening now as the ‘Trough of disillusionment.’

    There is perhaps too much furore centered on proffessional (monetised) blogs & its still too easy to find yourself on a crap web property.

    But there has to be plenty of room in the middle for good, personal, pithy, topical and genuine blogs. The real issue is seeing the wood for the trees.

    Chris from rawstylus.wordpress.com

  2. Thanks for your comment, Chris. I agree with you. I’m not so much convinced that blogging is dying as I’m wondering about what offshoots are taking up what people have to say. I really don’t see the one platform will take over another, just offer a different option. Blogs allow for deeper and more extended thought and discussion, don’t you think? I could be wrong, not having done any research, but is Australia behind USA and UK or Europe in catching on to blogging?

  3. I am nearing a year as a blogger with a daily post. I agree that blogging is an important place for me to share ideas and quality finds, to have a place that I can call my idea sanctuary. It’s empowering in that one can slowly gain a community of like minded people who can share ideas and comments.

    I recently added Brave New World to my Reader. I’ll keep in touch.

    Found some quality wood.

    Paul C. from Quoteflections.

  4. Carolinian trees are native to southwestern Ontario: hackberry dogwood, beech, etc. Several of my blogs complement the work I do as a project coordinator.

  5. “The blog is still, for me, the place that I call my own, where I can take the time to express ideas and share interesting finds..”

    I think so long as you are blogging for yourself, you are doing it “right.” If people read and respond that is icing on the cake. I try not to let other people’s definitions of blogging – what it is, and what it should be get to me. Blogging is different for everyone. Don’t let the cynics get you down.

    Don’t give up on Twitter. I have found it to be extremely useful and an amazing way to build my online network – which has also grown into a powerful face to face network.

    (I’m lizbdavis on Twitter)

    -Liz

  6. I appreciate your comment, Liz. I wouldn’t give up blogging if I tried; I’m addicted. It’s true about doing it for yourself. I’ve really got a lot out of it.
    I’ll stick with Twitter, after all, I haven’t been on for very long. There are some great links, and great personalities to be found.
    See you there.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *