Blogging or Slogging?

In “Twitter, Flickr, Facebook Make Blogs Look So 2004,” Paul Boutin of Wired writes that blogs are oh-so-passé. Of course, having just started this blog myself, I was pretty resistant to his commentary, and I feared perhaps a little biased. I felt less biased and more grounded when he went on to say that if you have a blog, pull the plug…and if you’re thinking about starting one, don’t bother. Instead, migrate to Twitter or Facebook or YouTube (blech!) for your self-expression. Because of course, “Commentors are tards,” not to mention “Google won’t find you.” And who needs long-form writing to express themselves anyway? I mean, really!

I admit he has a point about the little blogger in the face of every company, small business, or expert in any field who is starting a blog now. It’s easy for “the little guy” to get lost, and Google doesn’t seem to put blogs at the forefront anymore. Still, his comments are based on the assumption that we want everyone on the Internet to find our blogs. I don’t want everyone and their brother reading this! I don’t think I could deal with the spam. No, I just want those who care about me as a person or as a professional to read this…family, friends, colleagues, artists, and industry innovators. I’m not out to become famous, just respected. So if I’m not on the first page of Google when searching for…whatever this blog will end up talking about…I’m not heartbroken over it.

I don’t think blogs will ever completely disappear. Come and go, maybe…go out of style, possibly. But they’re far too much of a staple of the Internet. They may evolve from the standard text we’re used to, and integrate more media and social networking (as I’m trying to do with this blog). But fade away completely? No, blogs are here to stay.

Of course, perhaps I shouldn’t take Mr. Boutin so seriously…he does write for Wired, after all. Don’t get me wrong, I like Wired…but it’s obvious that they often try to appear witty and fresh, and even a little controversial, just to sound like they know what they’re talking about. I take every review and editorial with a grain of salt, whether I want to or not. I don’t feel too bad about saying that, either…as by his own admission, Mr. Boutin will never, ever find my blog.  ; )

What do you think? Are blogs a thing of the past? Should I have tried to write this entire post in 140 characters or less? Ok, let’s give it a go:

LOL, Paul Boutin says blogs are a thing of the past. Noob! http://tinyurl.com/5f59ns