First Entry

Well...I was having a discussion with my girlfriend, and the subject of Blogs came up. Which, of course, is supposed to be the next big thing that's affecting public discourse these days. I told her I was skeptical, that I'd heard that blogging was the latest influential step in the internet... but no one I knew read Blogs at all. That it seemed to be a very minor portion of the population that was enthralled by and excited by what seemed to be online diaries. She explained what sort of blogs were making a difference, in what way, how they are used to challenge the debate, democraticize and add independent voices to a media that is increasingly isolated and less inquisitive than it ever was before.

Then I went on my usual defensive ranting about who these forums could be easily corrupted and informed by corporate interests, co-opted by marketers, etc. That a Blog from a Microsoft employee, for example, seemed like just as much a method of controlling public opinion than learning what the public had to say.

It occurs to me that I am often rather closed off to technology, suspicious, a little uninformed and opinionated. So what better way to show her a little respect and respect her opinion that actually see what this is about first-hand. To not only learn about it, but participate a bit and see if I experience exactly what she was describing.

So this is my first entry. I would say that my primary interests are theatre, arts funding, and how this culture needs to re-prioritize. That's vague, yes, but hey, consider this a test run.

Off to the races...

Freeman