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We've been loving your submissions on the website: 30+ so far, among them, some are real gems. While we read, discuss and read again, we're finding even more blogs and websites through blogrolls and links. One author, it seems, is another's editor.
The most interesting part of this revelation, while not so new to many, is discovering the "cliques" of bloggers and websites: the link-to-me-i-link-to-you practice tends to herd publishers together in groups, at the core of which are the most popular bloggers, whose popularity soars even further because of the links. These groups are well represented in the Mad Crowd Media network, still we believe that these herds cannot possibly hold all the gems. Quality in publishing must run deeper.
What really makes our day is finding websites that are outside of these spheres and listening posts -- sites which we seldom see in the blogrolls we've read. They're in the sidestreets and back alleys of "our" Internet, and they are just as interesting as the really popular ones. Websites like Eksena.net, which is a portal for headliners and events on the Cebu music scene. That's a destination we would otherwise have never found if we stuck to blogrolls and popularity metrics. Another is From the Boondocks, which blogs about everything that goes on in the Cordillera region.
While there could be hundreds of these fascinating publications, the message that the Filipino writer, from any and all walks of life, has a fertile and articulate mind resonates loud and clear. This is a welcome affirmation. If you're reading this, and you're reading other blogs, go ahead and spend time outside your blogosphere: it's just like making new friends from the other side of town.
September 4, 2007 10:45 AM
Outside the Blogosphere
We've been loving your submissions on the website: 30+ so far, among them, some are real gems. While we read, discuss and read again, we're finding even more blogs and websites through blogrolls and links. One author, it seems, is another's editor.
The most interesting part of this revelation, while not so new to many, is discovering the "cliques" of bloggers and websites: the link-to-me-i-link-to-you practice tends to herd publishers together in groups, at the core of which are the most popular bloggers, whose popularity soars even further because of the links. These groups are well represented in the Mad Crowd Media network, still we believe that these herds cannot possibly hold all the gems. Quality in publishing must run deeper.
What really makes our day is finding websites that are outside of these spheres and listening posts -- sites which we seldom see in the blogrolls we've read. They're in the sidestreets and back alleys of "our" Internet, and they are just as interesting as the really popular ones. Websites like Eksena.net, which is a portal for headliners and events on the Cebu music scene. That's a destination we would otherwise have never found if we stuck to blogrolls and popularity metrics. Another is From the Boondocks, which blogs about everything that goes on in the Cordillera region.
While there could be hundreds of these fascinating publications, the message that the Filipino writer, from any and all walks of life, has a fertile and articulate mind resonates loud and clear. This is a welcome affirmation. If you're reading this, and you're reading other blogs, go ahead and spend time outside your blogosphere: it's just like making new friends from the other side of town.
bill said:
Hi. I love the article (partly because my blog was mentioned hehe) but I don't like the title because I do not believe that we are outside the blogosphere.
It is correct to say that we are outside the "clique" of popular bloggers who are inter-linking with each other but it is wrong to equate this "clique" with "the blogosphere". The blogosphere is a community of communities. Just because we are not a part of a sub-community of bloggers does not mean that we are not a part of the whole blogging community.
Is there any way you can change the title? It sort of ignores the diversity of the different subgroups that comprise the blogosphere. Peace and thanks :-)
Benito said:
Hi, Bill,
Ah, yes, the title is controversial. And your argument is plenty correct: no one is outside the blogosphere, except in one's own blogosphere.
After all, it is relative, isn't it? How big is one's neighborhood? If anything, my neighborhood is much bigger now. And an appreciation of that which was once outside my own (which could be at the heart of another) is a moment worth blogging about.
I have my own blogosphere, and lately it's been expanding exponentially, recognizing the diversity that was once outside it.
Best,
Benito
erik said:
i think bill hit the nail right. blogosphere is more of a collective word use to describe "the huge network" of every blogs on the web. we're not really "outside" but somewhere on the edge.
btw, linked back MadCrowd on our site. thnx!
erik said:
i think bill hit the nail right. blogosphere is more of a collective word use to describe "the huge network" of every blogs on the web. we're not really "outside" but somewhere on the edge.
btw, linked back MadCrowd on our site. thnx!