THE NEW WAVE IS HERE!Blogs...what are they exactly? And what does the word "blog" mean anyway? It seems we have replaced the good old fashioned "article" or "letter to the editor" with this thing that sounds more like something out of a science fiction movie.
The world is shrinking. Advancements in technology have meant time and space have been compressed. We now live in the "world of the instantaneous". A world where we want things and action immediately. We desire to stay informed, and this has been constant throughout history due to mankinds innate need to "know what is happening on the other hill". Society has widely adopted the instantaneous communication platform that we call the internet, and what better way to stay informed than with the use of blogs.
Ultimately a blog creates a topic that has its course and future content determined by the audience themselves. Videos, pictures and links can be added to aid readers to find out more information or help them to experience the writer's point of view in all it's 21st century multimedia glory. A blog is essentially two-way communication between a writer and their audience that is published on the interent. Instead of traditionally writing an article and thrusting it down a consumer's throats, feedback is now an important part of the process. But not just ordinary "post article feedback" that is sent to the editor in hopes of publication next week. Blogs allow an audience to interact with the author of the piece and provide suggestions and further links to related subjects. All this is done in the here and now, published as soon as the "post" button is pressed on the blogpage. It's that easy.
So what does this mean for print media and the tradtional article? Well, blogs are not here to replace other formats but merely to supplement them. To add value, depth and balance viewpoints. The internet provides a semblance of free speech and a platform for expression. Blogs are now a big part of this. From this new-wave of communicating we as a society can become a quicker informed and a better educated public. More importantly, perhaps along the way our points of view can be opened-up to new possibilities.
