Your Own Digital Playground.

Originally, I was weary of blogs. I backed away from what I thought was yet another outlet for the masses to vapidly banter on about trivial happenings. This was a neiave and ignorant outlook, and the addictive nature of the internet soon had me trawling through thousands of blogs that ranged from delicate photography, outrageous soapboxes, professional meeting places and musical hangouts. I learnt the more you dig through the dirt, the better gems you find. I have a select few blogs I check religiously but, understand my expedition is just beginning. With thanks to this class, I am slowly converting from personal opinion blogs to more professional, informative and journalistic blogs that further inspire and prod my knowledge of certain topics. In addition to this, I have learnt just how simple and satisfying the 'art' of blogging can be and have begun to put together my own meeting place of ideas, inspiration and information. If for no other reason than to act as a personal digitalized photo-book.

The issue of perception dissonance raised by Martin on Kerrer's post is valid and highlights a flaw in the way blogs are perceived in comparison to more traditional forms of media and communication. He says, "If I was to say 'I've spent all morning reading blogs', some people might think 'waster', whereas if I say 'I've spent all morning in the library reading journal articles' people will think 'ah, good solid academic." I see this as perhaps the most pressing issue facing both bloggers and their blogs alike. However, I do not believe is a cause for concern. Just as the humble newspaper, television and the internet its self were received with a fair share of moral panic and distain, so too are blogs. And as every form of successful new media has done before, blogging will emerge as an essential and revolutionary upgrade in the way we communicate and interact with our world.

I can confidently state that this class based blog has vastly benefited my learning within this unit. I feel I can communicate more effectively large ideas in a condensed format (even if some blogs do exceed the 200 word limit, sorry!). More so, it allowed me to understand firsthand the basics of blogging; creating, maintaining and writing for the new digital playground.