Like Air - Why blogging cannot be defined


The moment you try to define what a blog is, it evolves into something new.

I'm working on a book about blogging. During the research for the project, I kept trying to condense what blogging was/is into a concise statement. I've read a number of books, viewed thousands of blogs, researched tons of news stories...and it all comes down to this:

Blogging is that which serves it's master.

There are no rules. No mandatory elements of style. No major cost barriers.

I do have some thoughts on blogging...

-Blogging is a free, organic collaboration of ideas and information.

-No ideas are entirely original, since we all spark new thoughts based on what others have laid before us.

-Ownership of ideas is impossible. They are a shared collaborative process.

-Credit is given where credit is earned. We link back to each other, quid pro quo, because we recognize the value of individual contribution.

-There are two types of ideas, original and original-to-me . You may not be the first to think it, but that doesn't mean you stole it.

-We share our thoughts and ideas for many reasons, some selfish. However, ultimately we do it because we care about what happens around us.

-We tend to link between "like minds," and there is power in that.

-Every blogger is a syndicated columnists.

-Every blogger is a potential news source.

-Where once you had the news source coloring or editing the content of the voice, the voice now speaks for itself.

Posted: Fri - June 6, 2003 at 04:03 PM        

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