I like getting my opinions off my chest. The internet is a great release for weirdo geeks like me, but despite all the pleasure and knowledge that people gain, is blogging good for us? Does it damage our social interaction skills in the real world?
Some might also ask whether reading some of the terrible blogs there are out there is good for people as well. I know I'm guilty of writing some terrible drivel myself (probably including this post).
Basically, should we be spending even more of our time on computers when most of us probably also spending hours staring at computer screens at work etc? I know blogging can engage our brains and spread knowledge (and for this it is a wonderful thing), but what about the damage we are doing to our eyesight and the rest of our health by staying indoors and limiting our exercise in and exposure to the real world? (I'm not one of you people who have a laptop or palmtop).
Then there are the environmental concerns, computers use a huge amount of energy and can cause huge damage when disposed of. Do we care?
With all this in mind, I've been limiting myself to 2-3 hours a week of blogging recently, especially while this heatwave is on. So if there are not many posts on here in the future, hopefully I'll be playing football or something.
Blogging is good for you provided that you enjoy it and don't take it seriously or expect to change the world by an iota. But, like all good things, it could become a dangerous obsession or even an addiction. 2-3 hours a week looks pretty safe!
ReplyDeleteI suppose the motto is 'all things in moderation'.
ReplyDeleteI do think though that blogging is having an impact on the world, even if only amongst the opinion formers.
When Murdoch moaned about the internet reducing his political influence, I couldn't help thinking it must be a good thing.
At the moment the internet seems pretty egalitarian, of course this might not last forever as Murdoch and co invest their millions and there are efforts to different speed access.
Don't forget that Bloggers4Labour is supposed to be a social network, not a mere directory of journos and desk-/PC-bound politicos, but an online network that works offline. That's an aspect that could be made a lot more of.
ReplyDeleteB4L; Yes and it is much better for it. Look forward to the next meet up.
ReplyDeleteAndrew is right about the networking benefits. It may not be why anyone started, but it has the biggest effect.
ReplyDeletePrior to doing this I had not really met or exchanged views with many people outside the local party. Now I am exposed to the goings on elsewhere, and it has broadened my mind.
On top of that I have met a few other Labour people, mostly from London, Brighton and Oxford.
Today I met someone from the Oxfordshire party (he was interviewing me for a selection panel) and from having read Antonia and Jo's blogs I knew a bit about recent events there. It sounds silly but I felt I knew him a bit better by knowing some of his local news and having acquaintances in common.
I hope that this exchange of views within the party grows - either here or in the B4L forum as it develops.
I know you can get it by going to conference or regional conferences etc. but we don't all have the time/commitment to do all that.