Hows, Whys, And More About Blogs

A: According to this author where does the word blog come from?

As the author tells us, the word blog derives from the term Web Log or Weblog which emerged form the Web site Robot Wisdom (1997). Later on, in 1999, a Weblog author named Peter Merholz split up the word in two: We blog. The word "blog" was then born.


B: Why might the writer object to a book about blogs? What is the difference between a blog and a book?

From the beggining we can notice how the writer strongly disagrees with the idea of creating a book about blogs. She argues about their different pursposes, extenses, content, and even copyright. " Books are tight. Blogs are reckless. Books are slow. Blogs are fast. Books ask you to stay between their covers. Blogs invite you to stray. Books fret over copyright and libel. Blogs grab whatever they want with impunity-news, gossip, pictures, videos." As she states, the task of creating an anthology of blogs is not only impossible but also contradicting. A book and a blog derive their essence from their unique characteristics, and uniting them would simply end in chaos. It wouldn't be a book, it wouldn't be a blog, neither would it be a book about blogs, it would just result in a unsolvable puzzle.


C: How have blogs changed recently?

It is calculated that there are more than 100 million blogs worldwide, those including discussions over almost any topic possible. From controversial aspects such as politics, sex, or even gossip, to the most casual ones such as photos and cartoons. Until today blogs have suffered a drastic metamorphosis in content and even language usage, however their main purpose has been able to maintain itself from what they were originally meant to do. Most of the time including a biast opinion or point of view, a blog tries to pursuade a specific public to agree with them, handing the writer all the available tools to do so.


D: Why might you read a blog rather than a book, or a magazine, or a newspaper?

Blogs has a unique characteristics that other media lack. Let's begin by looking at the fast pace that a blog handles. With constantly changing information, new comments, and attention-catching links, they are able to entertain and inform a reader on a particular subject. Blogs also posses the ability to observe different points of view by viewing a single discussion, granting the audience the privilege to infer their own opinion.


D: Is there a reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?

It is clear that the majority of blogs are anything but objective. Containing opinions from loads of different sources tells us that they plan to change the way we look at a certain situation. Besides, most blogs discuss about controversial topics which will obviously include heavily personal interpretations and ideas rather than a more general perspective.


E: If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?

For me it is no easy task. I would like it to be appealing and eye-catching but defiantely relating to the content of my blog. This blog in particual is titles Books and Bags clearly reflecting not only that the content will be a bout books but also giving it a creative spark and showing a little about muy personal interests.


F: Find three blogs that mention our summer reading.

1. http://scienceguy288.wordpress.com/2010/01/17/science-soul-book-review-ishmael/
2. http://sportacusjones.blogspot.com/2009/12/novel-ideas.html
3. http://peopleandreasourcesfire.blogspot.com/2009/12/ishmael-extra-credit.html