Category: Blogging

Weblog Junior High is the perfect antidote for all this A-List talk. It breaks down the cliques and lets us know who’s cool and who’s not. And, oh yeah, it’s pretty funny. I’m not sure how long it’s been up, but I’m glad I found it just now.

oh dear…

I think that my post was trying to be constructive. But I’m baffled by many of the comments on Metafilter. A lot of jumping on pedestals (ironic or otherwise), but nobody really engaging with what I had said (except steadfast and true six | and | one)

Well, during Blogger’s hiccup yesterday, I decided to post the previous entry to Metafilter, and quite a few responses have now been posted. Go and take a look. Metafilter’s one of those sites that I don’t visit much but which is just perfect for the sort of dialogue I wanted to promote.

Joe Clark (a fellow Torontonian, no less) has provided food for thought with his “Deconstructing ‘You’ve Got Blog'” screed. While Joe scores some valid points, I think he misses the mark in a few major ways. In the process, he comes across as cynical, and a bit wounded, too.

What Joe seems to miss is that, although an “A-List” does exist, these people have formed meaningful relationships completely away from their blogs. Several (ie. the Pyra gang) work together in close quarters. Others live in the same neighbourhoods, and still others have met in person on more than one occasion. You’ll notice that there are lots of references to doing actual physical activities with these people (white water rafting, lunches, conferences), and these are what make these relationships so seemingly insular. These people are friends, Joe, and you and I aren’t a part of that. Why should we sulk?

Solutions exist in many forms. Most easily, physically meet as many bloggers as you can possibly meet. One forum is South by Southwest, held yearly in Austin, Texas. If you’ve been reading my blog at all lately, you’ll know I’m pretty hyped about this myself. It’s not only a technology showcase; in fact, I’m going solely to meet people. Local forums are easier. Form a group of “Toronto bloggers” for instance (I’m in, for one!), or “journalist bloggers,” or whatever. Since the blogging community has grown so quickly, it has become harder to connect, but also easier, in a way, since there are so many more areas of interest. I’ve always felt that online relationships are no substitute for the real thing, but blogging has helped me meet people I would otherwise never have known. I may not have met all of them in person, yet, but I hope to.

In that sense, Joe, you’re also right in asserting that everyone writes for an audience. Everyone in this big, lonely world wants to connect. And blogs can only help. Of course, like with all social interactions, some are shy, some feel left out, there are cool kids and uncool kids, but it sure makes the big world a lot smaller. If we’re not going to crack the A-List, then let’s start a B-List! In fact, the name of my site is an allusion to that very idea. We may not be champions, but we can be consolation champs! And we still get a trophy!

I missed work today, the first time that’s happened since I started my job in March. Why? I woke up (or rather, was awake most of the night) with the most excruciating back pain. It seems to have subsided, but I just couldn’t face the 90 minute commute, not the way our bus drivers drive. The day wasn’t a total loss, though. I wrote a column on blogging for Cherrymag. Find it under Tech Talk in the left hand column. And I was able to pick up my plane tickets for SXSW! I know it’s still four months away, but I can’t help it. I’m really excited.