There is no question that blogging has captured the imagination of our computer savvy culture. A litany of links to related blogs is part and parcel of most popular web sites, and the fast track to cool seems to involve having a blog of one’s own. Thus, when the suggestion was made that I start my own blog I responded, “Sure, why not? I can do that.”
I can do that, but upon reflection I am not sure I want to continue blogging, at least not in its current form. As I read more and more blogs, I find a pattern emerging. There is a rush to respond to the political, religious, or cultural “fire” of the day, which results in the publication of many hasty interpretations and tenuous conclusions. And in place of a reasoned perspective, the author depends on her or his ideology to fill in any missing pieces. Thus, in many instances blogging devolves into nothing more than ideological spin.
This disturbs me. My study, training, and experience through the years have taught me to resist what I call the 3D’s: Dogma, Dilettantism, and Divisiveness. In this formula, Divisiveness involves driving wedges into the heart of community through prejudice, bigotry, racism, and the like. Dogma, of course, represents the insistence that “I” am right; period… end of story. This, too, drives wedges that divide the world into right and wrong, black and white, worthy and beneath contempt; with nothing in between. A friend of mine claims that the following statement well illustrates a dogmatic attitude, “Don’t bother me with facts, my mind is made up.” This leaves Dilettantism; that is, dabbling in a topic, an endeavor, or an attitude; barely penetrating the surface of an issue and claiming, nevertheless, to be well versed; an authority qualified to render judgment.
In my estimation, blogging can easily become a platform for Dogma and Divisiveness, and is by nature susceptible to Dilettantism. So I, for one, will resist the tendency to pronounce hastily on issues of the day, lest my personal bias and naiveté surface unchecked in my thoughts. I will continue to blog; but only when I have a perspective worth sharing with others. Are these observations on blogging worth sharing? You be the judge.
February 25, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Good post.
Yes, blogging is a bit like butting into a conversation to which you weren’t invited, and the tendency is to rush to judgment.
You don’t have to be that way. You can still be your reflective self. A blog is just like a sermon, or like an introductory letter to the OPCC Scene. Select a topic on your heart, prepare, write, edit and post. The method shouldn’t be any different, just the venue!
Wouldn’cha like to be a blogger, too?