A blog oftentimes relays the viewpoint of an individual. A traditional web site can be home to opinions as well, but you can think of blogs as an online journal. A blog can create a community in which a discussion is posed and other followers respond; creating an on-going dialog between the manager of the blog and readers. This same effect can be created using a traditional message board thread as well. Companies and individuals that deal in the news business have really adopted the blog as a way to translate their stories and opinions. In addition, blogs have blurred the line between journalism and professional journalism.
Blogs tend to not have as much integrity as a traditional website. Blogs can point consumers in the direction toward commerce, but due to their nature, are not usually the center for commerce.
I like your insights about the nature of blogs vs. traditional websites.
ReplyDeleteCasey,
ReplyDeleteI too like your thoughts. I do have to say though that many institutions (don't ask me on the specifics) are adopting blogs actually instead of websites. (Don't ask where I heard this, I think either in something we read or on NPR. Anyway, while they are mostly seen as opinion as you stated, many make an excellent argument for higher level thinking (such as, "My Two Cents". This is one followed by hundreds of educators and has very deep discussions. Too, while traditional webpages are somewhat more reputable, many of them contain junk advertisement and "garbage" which turns potential users/surfers off.
-Jeff V.
Jeff V,
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank you for your thoughtful response. I find (or at least hope) that the blogs I read on a regular basis do evoke higher level of thinking.
I agree with your insight regarding traditional websites being bogged down by junk advertisements. In fact, I often find many of the traditional websites provide too slanted of a point of view while blogs allow for conversations to be held after the initial thought is presented.
I can see the blog becoming an even more effective marketing tool for commercial websites. The internet has opened up communication and information, but it has also allowed the spread of misinformation.
It is important that "digital natives" are able to analyze the validity of information. This is not a concept that is new to technology. I have heard my Grandma believe random sources at her gym.