Bloggers: a collective voice?
As I listen to the news on the radio or on the cable networks, I am astounded over and over to hear the news casters talk about “bloggers” as a united entity with one voice. I’m thrilled that everyday people, like you and me, can place our thoughts and opinions on the internet, have them read by potentially thousands of other people, and be heard for what we have to say. It’s exciting to think our voices are considered valid, compelling and powerful.
But, what about this concept of a single voice?
Bloggers are as varied and individual as any social group in the world. You would never assume that every student at a particular university held the same opinion on an issue. You would not expect every registered voter in a town to all vote for the same candidates. You would not even expect all of the members of a single church congregation to hold to the same morals and standards (though it would be comforting if that at least could be true).
Are all bloggers radical? Conservative? Religious? Hedonists? Of course not.
So why are “bloggers” lumped together?
I’m much more satisfied when I hear a news caster mention a blogger by name, quoting their actual article. As empowering as it is to hear “the blogosphere” mentioned as a source of information, I think we should each stand up and demand to be heard individually.
I agree. I don’t want to be lopped in with other bloggers, just because we all blog doesn’t mean that we share the same ideas or values….great post…