NationStates Jolt Archive


Political Blog

Andaras Prime
16-07-2007, 10:16
Well, do you have one? And what views do you tend to espouse in it, etc?
UN Protectorates
16-07-2007, 10:19
Very recently I've been considering writing a couple of blogs actually. A political blog and a second one. I haven't quite figured out the details. I was actually going to post a thread asking if anyone else had a blog, and if they could give me any pointers?

Sadly the really popular blogs have cartoon strips to bring people in, which I don't think I'd be very good at. :(
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
16-07-2007, 10:24
Nah, I'm not into blogging of any kind. :p
Kyronea
16-07-2007, 10:24
Well, technically, yes, but I only posted in it a few times and haven't since April 1st.
Philosopy
16-07-2007, 10:34
Political blogs are a way for unimportant people to convince themselves that their thoughts are in some way influencing things.

No offence to anyone who has one. :p
Andaras Prime
16-07-2007, 10:48
Political blogs are a way for unimportant people to convince themselves that their thoughts are in some way influencing things.

No offence to anyone who has one. :p

Well, aren't you elitist.
Kyronea
16-07-2007, 10:54
Political blogs are a way for unimportant people to convince themselves that their thoughts are in some way influencing things.

No offence to anyone who has one. :p

Err, I hate to say it, but they actually are influencing things a lot more than you might realize. There's a reason the "blogosphere" is mentioned by most major media, at least here in the U.S. I don't know about Canada or Europe but in the U.S. it is a larger factor than people are willing to admit.
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
16-07-2007, 11:00
Err, I hate to say it, but they actually are influencing things a lot more than you might realize. There's a reason the "blogosphere" is mentioned by most major media, at least here in the U.S. I don't know about Canada or Europe but in the U.S. it is a larger factor than people are willing to admit.

Blogs are fine and good, but your influence as a blogger is going to depend on your real-life influence. If you're reputable offline or have expertise in a certain field, your blog will probably be read, but if not, it won't. Blogs are an alternative channel for information, not some magical force that makes a nobody with no real experience somebody. :p
Kyronea
16-07-2007, 11:01
Blogs are fine and good, but your influence as a blogger is going to depend on your real-life influence. If you're reputable offline or have expertise in a certain field, your blog will probably be read, but if not, it won't. Blogs are an alternative channel for information, not some magical force that makes a nobody with no real experience somebody. :p
Ehh...true for the most part, though blogs are responsible for propelling some people up higher than they could have been otherwise. They're not magical, no, but they shouldn't be underestimated.
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
16-07-2007, 11:05
Ehh...true for the most part, though blogs are responsible for propelling some people up higher than they could have been otherwise. They're not magical, no, but they shouldn't be underestimated.

They're great at making names for people who don't have access to major media outlets or publishers, which is important, I would agree. The other forty million blogs, on the other hand... :p But blogs are invaluable around election time, I must say, especially the blogs of people who are really plugged into campaign strategy and polling. :)
UN Protectorates
16-07-2007, 11:15
BTW, for the most part, I'm not really considering writing a blog to become some kind of political/internet celebrity, it's mostly just so I have a regular hobby.
Kinda Sensible people
16-07-2007, 11:21
Blogs are fine and good, but your influence as a blogger is going to depend on your real-life influence. If you're reputable offline or have expertise in a certain field, your blog will probably be read, but if not, it won't. Blogs are an alternative channel for information, not some magical force that makes a nobody with no real experience somebody. :p


Let me introduce you to a few of my friends:

Dailykos.com
Mydd.com
Actblue.com

Between Dkos, Mydd, and Actblue, a massive amount of money was raised for Democratic challengers via the internet. None of the major bloggers had any name reckognition before they opened their blogs. The blogosphere is not what you beleive it is.
Kilobugya
16-07-2007, 11:24
I've one, but in french... http://blog.kilobug.org
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
16-07-2007, 11:25
Let me introduce you to a few of my friends:

Dailykos.com
Mydd.com
Actblue.com

Between Dkos, Mydd, and Actblue, a massive amount of money was raised for Democratic challengers via the internet. None of the major bloggers had any name reckognition before they opened their blogs. The blogosphere is not what you beleive it is.

I'm familiar with those and their angle. Not a fan, myself. :p They're influential in spreading talking points to the fringe element, but not much beyond that. Though I'll agree that they're more successful than the millions of amateur blogs. If you research the contributors, though, I'm sure you'll find dome credentials. ;)
Europa Maxima
16-07-2007, 11:31
Well, aren't you elitist.
No, he's realistic.
Neu Leonstein
16-07-2007, 12:53
To my astonishment I started a myspace page the other day (I needed to be a member to watch a mate's photos) and got a bit carried away. So now Amanda Palmer is one of my friends (yay!) and I've posted two entries into a blog, though so far there's nothing in there about politics. And I suppose that so far they haven't been read either.

http://www.myspace.com/flozza
Cannot think of a name
16-07-2007, 14:25
My blog is pointless. Hardly anyone knows it exists and even fewer people actually read it. It's just a repository for essays that come to mind that I don't really have any place for so I put up first drafts that never get second drafts, even though I always intend to do so. Anything thats not an essay is just me talking to myself 'out loud.'
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
16-07-2007, 14:30
My blog is pointless. Hardly anyone knows it exists and even fewer people actually read it. It's just a repository for essays that come to mind that I don't really have any place for so I put up first drafts that never get second drafts, even though I always intend to do so. Anything thats not an essay is just me talking to myself 'out loud.'

At least that stuff's out there someplace, if you ever lose a hard drive. I e-mail my drafts to myself just to be sure this thing doesn't go on the fritz and up in smoke unexpectedly. :p
Yootopia
16-07-2007, 15:08
Well, do you have one? And what views do you tend to espouse in it, etc?
No, because blogs are mainly for wankers who don't have any friends to discuss politics at the pub with, so they talk to themselves on the internet instead.
UN Protectorates
16-07-2007, 15:25
No, because blogs are mainly for wankers who don't have any friends to discuss politics at the pub with, so they talk to themselves on the internet instead.

Unfortunately for me, none of the friends I go to the bar with are particularly interested in politics apart from one, who I don't see all that often. And one of my best friends is so apathetic to politics he actually doesn't like me talking about it around him.

So yeah, a blog might be good for me. :D
Free Soviets
16-07-2007, 15:25
"No, because blogs are mainly for wankers who don't have any friends to discuss politics at the pub with, so they talk to themselves on the internet instead.

," he said on the internet.
Chumblywumbly
16-07-2007, 15:35
"

," he said on the internet.
:D

I don't mind some of the more popular, technology-based blogs (BoingBoing et al), but political blogs piss me off; they're just rantings.

Usually inane rantings.

Or link dumps, as this (http://blog.wired.com/tableofmalcontents/2007/02/parasitology_of.html) rather interesting article explains.
Call to power
16-07-2007, 16:43
you seriously think I have that much time

...

I might set one up soon just so people know how I'm doing and I can view all my softcore porn

http://www.myspace.com/flozza

:eek: another Scorpio *adds to list*
Bottle
16-07-2007, 17:05
Political blogs are a way for unimportant people to convince themselves that their thoughts are in some way influencing things.

Mine isn't.

My blog is just for fun. I blog (as opposed to writing in a private journal) because it's handy for keeping my friends and family informed about what's going on with me. A lot of what I talk about is related to politics because I read a lot and I follow current events (plus I live in DC).

It's a way for me to vent, too, without anybody actually having to listen if they don't want to. I enjoy that, because it means that somebody who wants to listen can check out my rant and reply to it, but people who don't want to listen can just close the browser and don't have to sit through me rambling when they really don't care.
Gens Romae
16-07-2007, 18:51
I have a blog...period, but it's mostly religious based. Does anyone wanna see it?
Kreitzmoorland
16-07-2007, 20:27
I write for a political blog with two other people - it's fairly focused in scope though. mostly about student politics and uni issues in BC. I really like it. Our readership is pretty good, and they comment and debate often. I always get a kick out of the lively responses to the stories we do. I also like interviewing people and I've learned alot.