Kill Your Blog?

Should I follow the advice given in this column?  Paul Boutin argues that the blog is dying, and Twitter (and sites like them) are the future.

Weigh in.  I don’t plan on stopping the blog anytime soon, but I found this column interesting.

Read Full Post »

10,000 Hits

Today the blog passed a major milestone.  Thanks to everyone who has stopped in, checked out my musings, and participated in the conversation.  My top views have been on the following topics:

• Robert Schuller vs. Robert Schuller
• Yankee Stadium
• The Ric Flair Beatdown

While I’m glad to know that those reports have generated interest, here’s hoping that the future holds an increase in theological and ethical conversation!

Read Full Post »

Some Random Stuff I’ve Learned From Blogging

Well, I’ve been blogging here at WordPress since the month of January.  This is the second blog that I’ve maintained in my history, the first being a Xanga site that I updated so infrequently it was embarrassing.  A group of preteens that I ministered to in Allen, Texas were lighting up the Xanga world, and I got lassoed in.  Like so many other people who begin blogs, I thought I had something relevant to say and I anticipated that commentary would flow forth from my being like water from a spring.  I was wrong.  I shut down that account a couple of weeks before I launched this one, and of all the posts I had recorded I deemed only one worth saving.

Yesterday I spent time flipping through a stack of magazines that I had failed to read last year while focusing on my studies at KU, and I came across this quote:

The blog world risks becoming one giant midrash on The New York Times’ front page.
–Ted Olson, “Tidings”, Christianity Today, October 2007

At times I’ve felt this way.  That’s one of the things I’ve learned–much of the blogosphere is commentary, some of it good, some of it bad.  Within the rabbinic tradition years of redaction preserved what was best and discarded that which was unhelpful.  You have to wonder what significant ideas are emerging from the blog world that will endure.  Right now we’re swimming in the garbled ocean of both treasure and trash.  When surfing in the blog world, there is some sense of satisfaction when I come across a gem–an insight, a helpful link, or a solid music/book/movie review.

Here are some of the other random things I’ve learned from blogging:

• Sometimes wisdom comes forth from hilarity.  Becoming a careful observer of your surroundings can yield helpful insights on life.  Thanks to Dave MaGee for modeling a different approach to blogging.
• Even though it is possible to run a blog that runs the gamut in terms of coverage, it is helpful to focus on a particular audience.  For me, it is those who wish to think theologically about life, culture, and the church.
• Operating a blog can yield new friendships, or deepen existing friendships.  Plus, when interacting in the tech world you can stay in touch by commenting on one another’s blogs, keeping track of one another on Twitter, or becoming friends on Facebook.  As for Twitter, I thought this was a great post from Tim Stevens.
• Don’t get caught up on stats or the number of comments you receive.  Forums like these help develop writing skills, and serve as creative outlets.  If your blog does explode in terms of readership and traffic it may take on a life of its own, bringing along all the blessings and all the curses.
• Argue for stuff.  If you like something, say so.  If you dislike something, state your opinion.  I attempt to always be generous in my critiques, though I know sometimes I might be a bit harsh.
• Tell personal stories, within reason.  I don’t want to use my blog as a psychiatrist’s couch, but I also don’t want to be an impersonal blog post generator.
• Share the love.  Link to other people you think have valuable things to say.
• Leave comments on other people’s blogs.  Will is one of those people who I appreciate–he has left some insightful and encouraging comments on my blog, and I’ve enjoyed reading his thoughts as well.  There is such a thing as a Good Comment, of course.  I’ve been happy to see insightful comments, and I’ve been willing to allow comments that might be a bit harsh.  Part of the fun here is the conversation.
• Post regularly.  When I’m really rolling I post once a day, though I recognize that a good week for me usually consists of 3 or 4 posts.  I didn’t figure out until the other day that I can write and assign a delayed time for a post–which for me will be a big help.  If you become inactive, people stop checking in.
• Some blogs are really entertaining, like this one, this one, or this one.  If I come across something funny, bizarre, and out of the ordinary, I’m going to post it.  I guess my lesson here is this: share the funny.
• Review stuff you like.  For me, it is books.  I don’t review every book that I read, but I definitely take time to review stuff I think is important.  I hope my book reviews are helpful.

That’s the short list.

As for me, I’m off to the gym.

Read Full Post »

Opinionated

A few days ago a friend of mine, Nicole Conard, made an astute observation when speaking with another aquaintance by sharing, “Ben always has an opinion, you just have to ask for it.”  My work in graduate school has commonly been described as “expository, but not quite critical enough.”  One of the hallmarks of the blogosphere is to share useful information yes, but in many instances to engage in the constructive task of critique and dialogue–an intense back and forth intended to persuade, exhort, encourage, or further a particular perspective.

 I enter into this arena tentatively, but as a writer, thinker, and future scholar (if all goes well), is there a better way to engage with others than to step forward into this cybernetic realm of give and take?  Perhaps, perhaps not.

Read Full Post »