Comments on: Academic Blogging

By: elise

elise — Tue, 09 Nov 2004 14:13:35 +0000

Hi Mike,

what’s really interesting is that I’ve taken a few classes that have mandated us to blog our research. I’m still on the fence as to how I like it, but I’m sure my friend Sunir http://www.livejournal.com/users/sunir/ can give you some good perspectives too. I’m pretty sure he also knows Seb.

By: mtl3p

mtl3p — Tue, 09 Nov 2004 21:21:09 +0000

Cool. I checked out his page. And He does know seb, I saw from his “friends” list.

I had a bunch of conversations today following that entry (regarding academics and blogging). I’ve been trying to feel out the crux of the problem - whether it’s the idea that blogs are good for the people on the top (because they are already there and it’s difficult to steal their ideas as everyone will know who said it first) or people at the bottom (because they have nothing to loose and everything to gain) but it’s shitty for the people in the middle. Or maybe the real problem is just that it’s destabilizing and academics are just nervous about a new, unfamiliar tool?

And I’m jealous if you go to KMDI ;-)

By: Seb

Seb — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:06:45 +0000

Your top/bottom vs. middle insight is spot-on. The link you were looking for might be http://pkp.notlong.com

By: Seb

Seb — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:13:23 +0000

Actually let me refine this top/bottom thing. If you’re an untouchable (so you can’t lose anything, really), or if you have nothing to lose, this brave newfangled hyperlinked world is for you. With a nice bonus awaiting you if you are talented on top of that.

The worst that can happen to you is to have already invested in, and owe your middle position to, a system that is threatened by this new way of working together. A lot of people are in such positions and may only become converts after they have been rendered very plainly irrelevant. IMHO.

By: Seb

Seb — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:16:08 +0000

Though, if you’re in the middle and are talented, you’re not totally screwed. It’s never too late to undertake a change in direction.

Gee, speaking to myself. I must go to bed.

By: Nico

Nico — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 23:02:50 +0000

Blogging takes a certain amount of time, and people will have their blog if they believe it can be useful for them (sounds basic i know).
At first i didnt understand the dynamics behind it, i didn’t know where the good blogs were, how i had to write my posts, how could people know my blog, etc. Then why would i invest time in this “reflexive thinking” tool instead of discussing with my colleagues, or using the good ole paper sheet?
And it’s tough to blog starting from zero, blogging requires a certain way of expressing yourself, your posts must open discussions for example … and if you don’t read blogs you won’t have any interest in having your own blog.

BTW i’m the french dude working with Serge for CRACIN ;) Hi there!