Blogging: Digital Media and Society Series

Currently in my core class, I have been reading a book entitled Blogging: Digital Media And Society Series written by Jill Walker Rettberg. The book focuses on the incorporation of blogging into modern day society and how it impacts the world as a whole. A technique the author uses that I really appreciate is examples. She supports her claims of blogging and its importance by using direct individuals who have changed their lives and the lives of many through their blogs. Before this book I never really grasped the concept of blogging, and honestly never thought I would be blogging at any point in my life. I do not believe blogging is a revolutionizer, however it has pioneered the ability for people to express beliefs or guide others just by its easy access and the vast majority of people it reaches. My main focal point of this book was the overall concept of bloggers and how to become one. At one point, the author refers to bloggers as "independent journalists," as if they have assumed the role of informing the public. If you think about it, a blogger sort of is an independent journalist as he/she is relaying information to a group of people through textual form. A quote that I found particularly interesting was; "Blogs and social networking sites are persistent in that the information you enter is recorded and can be accessed later." This demonstrates the severity of what you post and how it is easily viewable. It goes on to explain that what you write can't easily be erased and it takes work to remove all of it. The fact is, this book shows how bloggs can positively influence many, yet if not used properly, bloggs can become a burden. I felt the book was a great tool to becoming a blogger, as it revealed the process of blogging, and even had recommendations to being a successful blogger.