Oliver Kamm is somewhat contemptuous on the subject of blogging in today’s Times.
Most blogs have nothing to say even then. Without editorial control, they are unconstrained by sense, proportion or grammar. Almost by definition, they are the preserve of those with time on their hands. Blogs have a few successes in harrying miscreant politicians or newspapers, but they are a vehicle for perpetuating myths as much as correcting them. In Mrs Huffington the preposterous term “blogosphere” has a worthy champion.
Leaving aside the self-righteous arrogance for a moment, he is having a go at Arianna Huffington who wrote a piece in the Guardian’s “comment is free” last week on the matter. Actually, given the level of hyperbole indulged in by Huffington, a sharp riposte is probably deserved.
While it’s true that comment on blogs is driven by stories found in the mainstream media; as, indeed, this is; it provides a platform for two way comment that a newspaper lacks. I haven’t bought a newspaper for over twenty five years. It was the build up to the 1979 election and newspaper editors had the temerity to instruct me about where to cast my vote. I am not prepared to pay people to issue me with instructions, nor to tell me what to think and believe. So I stopped buying them.
These days, I’ll browse their online content and dip into stories that catch my interest. As it costs me nothing to do so, I can compare different takes on the same story and draw my own conclusions. Mostly, these will be political pieces, because at the moment we live in politically precarious times with our parliamentary system in danger of a coup by those who would impose rule by decree.
The advantage of blogging is that it enables people who would not normally gather together to meet virtually and exchange ideas and if necessary, tactics. Liberty Central is embryonic, but stems from this idea. Whether it will change the face of British politics is moot – but it would have come to nothing, I suspect, without the exchange of ideas that exists in the blogosphere (no, I don’t much like that word either).
What I detect from Kamm’s piece is the reaction of someone whose hallowed preserve has been invaded. Invaded by amateurs, no less. However, amateurism is not something to deride. Amateurs do things for the love of it, because they are driven, not paid. It certainly does not mean that they necessarily lack the same (or more) expertise than the professional. The suggestion that blogging is the preserve of those who have time on their hands is a cheap shot – and I dismiss it as such. Even if true, it is not an indicator of quality. That in some cases passion overrides research and quality is certainly true, but to dismiss the concept as such is incredibly arrogant as is the supremely egotistic statement that “most blogs have nothing to say”. Frankly, if this little piece of petty spite is the best Kamm can come up with, then it would appear he has little of value to say – and he is paid for saying it. 
None of the accusations levelled by Kamm are indicators that the quality found in blogs is inferior as he implies. His dismissive comment about editorial control and grammar is patronising and insulting. Many of the blogs I read are well researched and well written, with care taken over the spelling, grammar and content. It is also worth bearing in mind that blogs may be written by people with inside expert knowledge of their subject – something all too often lacking in newspaper reports on the same story. I am frequently infuriated by the ignorance displayed in reporting on rail related matters, for example. Doubtless others find the same frustration when their occupational field is subject to the scrutiny of the press. A blog written by someone with occupational expertise will give me more insight than a hack from the Times, Grauniad or Torygraph. And, given a choice, I know which I’d choose to believe.
Given Kamm’s dismissive attitude to the blogosphere; that he has his own blog smacks of double standards, but then, is that a surprise?
“Spot on” is all I can say, Longrider…:bow:
Longrider,
I absolutely agree.
What Kamm fails to understand is that although there are probably tens of thousands of political blogs, as a medium UK political blogging is still in its infancy. It is nowhere near saturation point yet; and as time passes, and natural selection starts to operate amongst blogs, and as the commercial media’s defects become more and more pronounced and more people start to use the Internet as their primary information source, then the influence of blogs will grow.
It’s probably incorrect to describe blogging as a ‘medium’; the blog is the only form of communication ever invented which can absolutely reflect the author’s unfiltered opinion. The absence of pressure to turn a profit and satisfy shareholders ebables the freest expression around.
Having been involved in Internet journalism for four years, it really irritates me to see that Kamm fail to understand blogging’s uniquely libertarian nature. It empowers the author, and enables their voice to be heard. One wonders if he finds that objectionable.
It empowers the author, and enables their voice to be heard. One wonders if he finds that objectionable.â€
Martin, I could be misreading him, but the inference I draw from his piece inclines me toward the opinion that he does. It struck me very much as a “don’t tread on my turf†piece. :dry: