Researching weblogs
February 19th, 2003 | by aobaoill |Jumping, to an extent, onto the same bandwagon as a lot of others, I’m planning on doing some formal research on weblogs over the next number of weeks and months. My primary project will examine the potential provided by weblogs, and similar tools, to provide a space of resistance to the dominant media model. Looked at from another angle, I will be asking to what extent blogs are assimilated into the commercial media and capitlist system.
Among the thoughts which spring immediately to mind are the analyses already started of the role of Pareto principles to blogs. I think it is fairly obvious that some blogs will be very heavily trafficed, while far more will have small audiences. It occurs to me, however, that this may be only a secondary consideration. While outreach is important – getting your message to the general population – it is separately necessary to concentrate on creating a participatory community framework. It would seem to me that this may be possible despite the workings of power laws etc.
Which is not to say that I am wholly optimistic – the question is: what are the real challenges to oppositional or ‘underground’ weblogs, and how do they compare to the challenges in other media.
Any thoughts which readers can provide on this topic are appreciated (as always, contact me at andrew@funferal.org).
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