Something crazy happened today.
I know that most people in general don’t read blogs. Walk into any store (or classroom) and look around. Chances are none of those people know what an RSS feed is or have ever heard of Web 2.0? I understand that, but today in my English class we were discussing an article in the newspaper about the CEO of Sun Microsystems Inc. wanting to “disclose significant financial information through blogs” (similar article in the Boston Globe here).
I was blown away. The teacher asked if anyone could explain what a blog was and no one could do it. A few students tried and all they could come up with was that a blog is one of those things you can do on Myspace. I raised my hand but the teacher must have been satisfied with the answer and moved on. I wanted to stand up on my desk and tell everyone what a blog really was. I felt like some how I had let these people down for not telling them how wrong they were. If only I had raised my hand sooner.
I’m still amazed that out of the whole class no one, not even the teacher, could explain what a blog was and couldn’t remember ever reading a blog either. Blogs and blogging is a huge part of my life and these people don’t even know what a blog is.
I wonder what they do that I don’t have a clue about.
sad. just plain sad.
I can’t believe it either man.
Posted by Matt on Oct 9, 2006.
That happens to me all the time. Two years ago, I had no idea what a blog was, and now the idea of not knowing seems ludicrous. That happened to me with water polo, too. I was like, but I spend so much time doing it, how can people not know at least some basics about it?!
Still, it seems odd, with the increasing number of television show-associated blogs, etc., that no one knew.
Posted by Meredith on Oct 9, 2006.
Very true, a year ago I didn’t really know what a blog was either. Who knows, maybe a year from now most if not all of them will know what a blog is.
Posted by Mattbob on Oct 9, 2006.
wow.. That would be awkward.. not blogging… How could someone not know what it is?
Posted by Vana on Oct 10, 2006.
I also have to argue that a blog isn’t just a passing fad. I mean, sure it can be a little faddish, but it’s also a viable method of web delivery…
Posted by Daniel on Oct 10, 2006.
I have that question asked constantly, very annoying!
Posted by Billytheradponi (Nick Barrett) on Oct 10, 2006.
About two years ago I didn’t know what a blog was either, even though all my friends seemed to know and encouraged me to get one. With every passing day it seems less and less like a fad, since nearly everyone I know (including teachers) know what a blog is.
Posted by Yian on Oct 19, 2006.