Barbarians at the Blog
Posted by Adam Graham in : BloggingA syndicated columnist today lashed out at blogs in her latest column provoking a backlash in the growing medium.
That is what’s called a summary lead. My ability to write one proves I’m a journalist and thus worthy to have a blog, according to Kathleen Parker who wrote on Townhall:
I mean no disrespect to the many brilliant people out there – professors, lawyers, doctors, philosophers, scientists and other journalists who also happen to blog.
Well, my problem is that a lot of my blogging buddies are rabble, and don’t necessarily fit under that Rubicon. In addition, the article truly paints some broad strokes in attacking the Blogosphere.
In the 4th graph (paragraph for the uninitiated) she wrote:
It is this latter – our new enemies – that interests me most. I don’t mean al-Qaida or Osama bin Laden, but the less visible, insidious enemies of decency, humanity and civility – the angry offspring of narcissism’s quickie marriage to instant gratification.
So Bin-Laden and Conservative Cat. Yeah, about the same class. First of all as for civility, remember Congress had two civility summits in 1997 and 1999 and the Internet had nothing to do with it. The f-word became more popular in our common parlance, the blogosphere had nothing to do with it. Alec Baldwin on national television calling for Henry Hyde AND family to be stoned and the blogosphere had nothing to do with.
When it comes to the civility, the Blogosphere is only a reflection of our culture. Having said that, I think there are some bad actors out there, but that’s not all the blogs. We certainly endeavor not to be that type of blog here.
As to decency, I forgot how blogs did the high tech lynch of Clarence Thomas. Oh wait, they weren’t there. But who could forgive them giving pornographer Larry Flynt a microphone for his innuendo against Republican members of Congress-oh wait, not the blogosphere either. This would all appear to be the work of the mainstream press.
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Comment by Adam Graham [Member]
you’re an A-class journalist in my book, honey. Good work.
Comment by Michael [Visitor]
Each time I wander into blogdom, I’m reminded of the savage children stranded on an island in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies.” Without adult supervision, they organize themselves into rival tribes, learn to hunt and kill, and eventually become murderous barbarians in the absence of a civilizing structure.
Kathleen Parker
Kathleen is dead on with this one. In an early post at Pam’s Blend I made the same comparison to “Lord of The Flies.” They are grouped together by common interest. Many of the blogs are filled with people who feel marginalized and weak. They often lash out at anyone who doesn’t agree with their agenda regardless of what they say. You will be labeled a bigot or worse by the same people who Compton about being labeled themselves.
It just shows that people are pretty much the same no matter the groups to which they belong. But the great thing about the blogs is that you always come across someone who is willing to actually listen. Despite feeling attached to a particular group they can still think for themselves. There are a couple of people who are well reasoned and brave enough to handle criticism.
When I encounter these folks it reminds me of a time in Paris. The rudeness and disrespect of the French are legendary. Particularly when it comes to Americans. When I asked for directions from one middle aged man I got the typical initial reaction I have seen so often. I have no idea why this time turned out different. I could tell we were both thinking the same thing. For the life of me I could not get over why we should be at such odds. Then all of a sudden, without a word being exchanged his whole demeanor changed. He led myself and my girlfriend a few blocks toward our destination and then attempted to give us further directions. When it was clear I could not understand him he led us several more blocks thru the twisty winding roads s\despite the fact that he was not going that way. I’ll never forget that guy and that moment. It is one of the reasons I am able to not dismiss a medium such as this. It’s worth being called a chickenhawk by a few hundred so called “liberals” to reach that one open-minded individual who will listen and respect what I have to say.
Comment by Adam Graham [Member]
First of all, Andrea, you need to sign in under you.
Secondly, Michael I think you hit on something. One thing that occurred to me is that “ignoring” and “ignorance” have the same root word. The idea that you’re going to ignore a whole class of writers or people is going to end up making you ignorant of the good people out there. Yes, there are some blogs that are full of ignornance and hatred. I don’t read them. I pity the people who will read this in newspapers and stay from blogs. It will truly be their loss.
Comment by Andrea Graham [Member]
no Adam, you needed to sign out. That’s your responsiblity. But, my comments are pretty funny posted under your name….
Comment by Adam Graham [Member]
Yes, I was horribly irresponsible. More like tired out. I thought I did sign out, but alas I didn’t. Oops, it is my bad. Mea culpa. Mea culpa.
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