Comments on: Blogs that have comments are better

By: Mathew

Mathew — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 17:09:38 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Amy. I agree that the conversation is the important thing, and that focusing on what is or isn’t a “blog” sort of misses the point.

Mathew

By: Amy Gahran

Amy Gahran — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 17:06:09 +0000

Hi, Mathew

I think there’s a deeper point here — that is, the difference between publishing and conversational media. Blogging tools can be used for publishing (which is what Boing Boing generally does), or to support active conversation. And there’s a pretty big gray area in between, too.

When making the distinction you’re trying to make, I personally don’t think it’s useful to focus on “blogs” per se.

Blogs are not the point.

What’s so exciting about blogs is that they can be used (especially when they allow comments) as a fairly accessible form of conversational media. Yes, they also can be used for publishing, which (I agree with you) is less exciting. So talking about “blogs” and “blogging” in this sense doesn’t get to the heart of the matter. Let’s not lose the forest for the trees — or the purpose for the tools, for that matter.

IMHO, of course ;-)

- Amy Gahran
RightConversation.com
Contentious.com

By: Mathew

Mathew — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 02:18:52 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Chuck. I would agree.

And thanks, Stu.

By: Stuart MacDonald

Stuart MacDonald — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 02:04:09 +0000

Nice, ‘thewie.

– Stuart

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 02:01:02 +0000

I agree with what you are saying. It seems you are defining what a blog is, intentionally or not. I took a quick peek at wikipedia and a blog is somewhat defined as being conversational which supports what you are digging into. If a proclaimed blog does not allow comments then to me it is simply a web page and is no different than any other site that has a current “news” section in chronological order.