Well, it seems that the Wall Street Journal doesn’t have the highest opinion of blogs and blogging. Okay, while it is one person’s opinion published in the Wall Street Journal, that opinion may speak for what a lot of people, and businesses, are thinking.
Steve Rubel’s review of the article sums it up quite well, and finds a bit of truth in the blog bashing criticism:
Joseph Rago, an assistant editorial features editor at The Wall Street Journal, has published a scathing op-ed that calls bloggers fools that are read by imbeciles. He posits that we “ride along with the MSM like remora fish on the bellies of sharks, picking at the scraps.”
Well, my fellow “imbeciles,” (geez is that strong or what?) if there’s one point here it is that too often we rely on the mainstream media as our air supply. Perhaps it’s time we start spotlighting some new, emerging voices and skip the papers for a bit. I am getting a little tired of the same people linking back and forth to each other and to the same stories.
I’ve talked before about the issue of the “echo chamber”, where blogs just blockquote and echo what a few bloggers say. Stop that.
There are so many bloggers out there with something to say and something worth reading. Dig around and look at all the possibilities for content and all the original thinkers out there and pay attention to them.
Why not make it a personal challenge this year to feature a new and different blogger once a month on your blog? If you blog a lot, why not once a week?
And start saying something original for yourself, too.
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Copyright Lorelle VanFossen, member of the 9Rules Network
3 Comments
It’s easier to be mediocre than to be great, I think. I know that’s a problem I have: I sometimes rather link to something than create my own thoughts.
I think one of the most ironic things about the eco chamber is that bloggers who link out to the mainstream media aren’t giving independent media a voice. More often than not the mainstream media sources are behind the blockquote.
Even blogs like the Huffington Post doesn’t have the budget to do original reporting.
If the mainstream media is controlling the agenda do bloggers really matter? Who’s in control and who really has the power?
Lack of time is a major factor for bloggers. The more you have going on in real life, the harder it is to create content.
I think Michael also makes a good point. People have to spend time on things that pay. The one thing I think that blogs do well is reviewing/opinion articles and “How to” articles.
It sound to me like the media is realizing bloggers aren’t reporters. Well, DUH!