Blogs as current phenomenon & effects on community

For years mankind has kept a record on issues which are important to them, thus the development of history.
But there is also a more personal record which individuals keep, which is their diary or journal.
These days with the advancement of technology, we now have the internet which allowed it's users to upload information into their online diary (Tawa 2001) which is accessible worldwide (as long as you have an internet connection).
But the internet is accessible by people worldwide allowing others to view our "online diary" or otherwise known as free-style blogs which Ozawa (2001) calls it as a blog which focuses on the author's personal life.
Thus a new trend has arise where bloggers are seeking attention rather than posting their true personal stories. Therefore, the purpose of a blogosphere where bloggers can share their opinions may have changed over the years.

According to Technorati (technorati.com, 2008), which have been tracking blogs since March 2003, the current size of blogosphere in October 2006 have surpassed 57 million blogs.



Many people would wonder how could a community be affected by blogs, as most of them are just rantings of what someone did the day before.
But there are also political blogs which enables individuals who wish to express their freedom of speech which they couldn't have done through other means.
This is because mainstream medias are usually regulated by the government which prevents these individuals from reaching the public.
Thus the best alternative they have would be the internet, where hopefully people who are concerned of the same issue are able to meet on the internet and discuss better means to solve the problem at hand.
The same would go for social and business blogs although they are not prevented from voicing out in mainstream medias.



Reference

Ozawa, Ryan Kawailani (2001) journal vs. weblog. Diarist.net, August 4, 2001. Retrieved December 11, 2001, from http://www.diarist.net/guide/blogjournal.shtml


Tawa, Renee (2001) Personal Web Logs put a face on a faraway disaster; Heartfelt commentary that mass media don't provide boosts the popularity of 'blogs.' Los Angeles Times: Southern California Living; October 14, 2001, Sunday Home Edition, Part 5, p. 1