Having seen a recent comment to a post in another blog, I just felt the need to say something. Though neither the post or the comment were focused directly on the act of blogging, the reference to blogging was made in a very negative way. Let’s just say that it’s clear that some people don’t take blogs and bloggers very seriously… and apparently that even carries over to those who blog about history. I know this is probably a matter of preaching to the choir, but I think those who speak so negatively about blogging and bloggers apparently can’t see the value of the technology as a medium and the time that many of us spend in creating content. It can sometimes entail several hours (and for those who write reviews of books, of course, it takes a great deal longer). As for the delivery of content in posts, I’m a huge fan of the small “bursts” of information and/or challenges to thinking… and to me, that’s the point. Creating short bursts that make people think is a critical part of blogging history. It stimulates thought and (hopefully) discussion. All-in-all, the discourse can make for some very worthwhile reading. In the end, I’m not sure what part of me is bothered worse by the passing snipe at the act of blogging… the blogging historian or the techie in me who sees the educational potential for Web 2.0 (and certainly 3.0).
Taking Blogs and Bloggers seriously
Posted on May 18, 2009 by Robert Moore
Harry Smeltzer
May 18, 2009
Robert,
I really try not to worry about it, and I’m pretty successful by and large. At not worrying about it, that is. I had more than one person ask me if I was concerned that ACW putting my face on what could be seen as a beer can for my book “reviews” might affect whether readers would take me seriously. Being taken seriously just isn’t that big a deal to me, I guess. As long as my writing and presentation make people think about the subject, I’m not too concerned about what they think about me personally. I’d like to be appreciated of course – I’m human after all – but this is a hobby for me. Perhaps if I made my living in a “serious” history gig I’d look at it differently.
By the way, I received the books in the mail. Thanks much! They look good.
cenantua
May 18, 2009
Harry, One one hand, maybe I didn’t use the right word, but then, maybe I did (might be dependent on the objective of the respective posts). I guess by being taken seriously, my focus is on making some kind of a positive impact (not in each and every post, but consistently enough to be considered worthwhile… keeping in mind, of course, that the time spent by readers is also important) in the way of improving or adding to historical knowledge, or simply challenging a direction of thinking with an alternative direction. It’s not like a mission, but more like a hope. The tipping point is my thought that some blogs should be considered valuable enough to be considered for tenure (not something I have to worry about… at least yet).
Glad you got the books! By the way, were you at the race this weekend?
Harry Smeltzer
May 18, 2009
Yes I was – and I updated my FB from Pimlico. I ended up losing about $36 bucks, mitigated by winning $39.20 on the exacta in the feature. It looks like the powers that be at Pimlico are doing everything in their power to make cure the Preakness does not return. No alcohol permitted in, even in the INFIELD!!! So you have to buy all your booze their (at $9 per Black Eyed Susan). Predictably, I’d say attendance was down about 30-40%, despite ZZ Top playing live (which we couldn’t really hear in the grandstand).
cenantua
May 18, 2009
Harry,
Speaking of the beer can photo and the relation to the blog, I rather like the two working in harmony with each other. There’s a good balance of both the light and the serious… after all, the historical content and the attention to credibility you have keeps up the credible nature of your blog.
Drew Wagenhoffer
May 18, 2009
Robert,
I would be interested in seeing that comment. As a magazine and online reviewer, I see the full range of publisher regard for blog/website reviews from the marketing and publicity reps from presses of all types and sizes. Some are very responsive and appreciative, some send you a book but seem completely indifferent to whether you review it or not, and others are dismissive altogether. I would say the ‘average’ is between the first two types, with the last being pretty rare.
Drew
cenantua
May 18, 2009
Drew,
I don’t want to pin-point where I saw it as I don’t want to raise a stir… I suppose I’m just standing on a soapbox for a short bit. I think a lot of us have seen a lack of respect for blogging out there, both in and out of the field of history. In part, I think a lot of it comes from the misconception that all bloggers blog one way, and therefore there is a stereotype. I suppose the thing that gets me most about the comment was that the person came into the “sandbox” and made a remark that reflected criticism of blogging (as less than professional). It was a part of a personal engagement in the CW blogosphere recently and may have been more of a comment raised in the heat of the discussion, but I think it carried something more.
acwresearcher
May 18, 2009
Taking advantage of the technology, especially when considering younger history audiences, is another tool in the box for teaching this field. As I see it, people with this “horse cart” mentality are about to get steamrolled by a jumbo jet!
Sherree Tannen
May 19, 2009
Robert,
You know how I feel about well run blogs; they represent the wave of the future! Please–continue to blog. It is a privilege to share in your knowledge, and in the knowledge of others. Sherree
Coly Hope
May 20, 2009
I am not sure why anyone would have anything against blogs. I enjoy your blog and hope you keep itr going for a long time.
Coly
cenantua
May 21, 2009
Thanks Coly! No plans to abandon blogging here. Like Greg said, the technology will blast right by those who contiinue to ridicule the benefits.
Craig Swain
May 21, 2009
I don’t think the blog, as an “idea medium” will ever replace the book. The book will likely evolve into something different than what we see today (“Computer, give me all references to 21st Century hardback books and how they became obsolete… now download to my iPhone…”).
The blog as a tool set, is a medium for one to log the evolution of their endeavours. I’d use such loose and ranging terms as blogs take many forms and go in many directions. I can speak with authority how *I* like to use the blog, but that has no bearing on how others use their. Regardless the power of the medium is it allows for quick, lightweight presentation of ideas, often ones formative in nature that the writer plans to refine and evolve.
I think that last bit is what scares many traditionalists. In the past, those ideas were closely guarded within one’s workspace (physical and cerebral). The sharing of formative ideas done on a select basis (correspondence, conversation) between individuals. It was not presented to the masses to allow scrutiny and review. Such would be akin to a historian posting all his research notes on a web site before sending the manuscript to the publisher (or even before writing the manuscript). But with blogging, we often air out what we think and have found, with less inhibition found in the traditional airspace. Might mean someone can lift my ideas, but it is just as likely someone will chime in to help make a connection!
So is blogging the research equivalent of a clothing optional beach? Suddenly that is not the attractive analogy I wanted it to be…
cenantua
May 21, 2009
Craig,
… and I agree with you. Blogs will not take the place of books and books will not, in the future, be what they are now. Yet, I think some people have the idea that blogs and bloggers are not worthy of consideration… the misconception that they are all made up of rants, “blah, blah, blah,” and so on. Are we biased as blogers? Sure, but I think that even those who do not blog and give reading more than a fair amount of time, would realize that there is good and sometimes really great content and I don’t think it gets the respect that it deserves. Certainly, the individual posts don’t qualify as major works, but there is something to the long-sustained blog (and of course, there are points in time when some really great points are made in posts). I know what I’m saying isn’t going to move the earth below the feet of the people who have no respect for blogs that do merit attention for providing some excellent material for thought, but it sometimes amazes me to see the continued lack of respect for anything other than a book or major article.
On another note, in your second paragraph, you mention the “ideas closely guarded within one’s workspace.” To that I would add that there is another interesting dimension to blogs that might be just as challenging to the traditional writer/author… the reader becoming the collaborative writer, whether the blog owner likes it or not… and the impact that it has on the idea of authority.