Though informal writing and the communication of thoughts isn’t a particularly new form of media; or even social media, depending on the way it’s dissipated, blogging in itself seems to have evolved from merely a smattering of thoughts on forums or websites, to a very personable way to communicate one’s condensed thoughts about a subject; current affairs, politics, dogs, cats, or – in my case – sport.
I’ve seen blogs gain considerable traction due to, in no small part, their entertainment value; as well as their social currency. The last notion is of something of vital importance in a day and age where the internet is filled with all manner of content. Clickbait sites, news websites and informative hubs for insight are among the countless selections of content available on the world wide web, though the opportunity to expand this content; the content worth reading, anyway, has been significantly widened via the use of interactivity and what i call attention-grabbers: i.e, the idea that an embedded YouTube video can be watched seamlessly with the words accompanying it on a page. In the same way, an image or graph can be used to statistically support an argument which requires information.
Of course, this is in reference to content which goes deeper into the information side of things; realistically much of blogging is a mere scattershot of thoughts and opinions; the best of which can grab views from people who either identify with what a person is blogging about, or find the blog entertaining enough to consistently put their time and effort into following it. Blogging in itself is a microcosm of the internet’s ability to convey information; videos get embedded, every post has it’s accompanying image, and even all of this is only half the battle to keep readers interested. The evolution of new media has created what are now known as “Hypertexts” – or the medium by which users and readers of content can become immersed and involved with texts through interactivity.
Though hypertexts are often seen via professionally put together websites; such as the “Are You Happy” project, blogging in itself can be a medium by which people interact with each other; and as a form of new media, can be seen as a basic form of hypertext. The ability for me to comment on someone’s post and thus engage the publisher of content, as well as other readers, offers an interactivity that old texts (books, movies, TV shows) cannot. If I really enjoy a book or TV show; sure i can send a tweet or, if i was so inclined, write a review on the internet; but the chances of the creator then seeing that are slim to none. Blogging offers a direct and engaging form of interactivity.
Personally, having been writing online for some time via football websites; professional writing online has been my staple for a year and a half now. The small, though significant change to an informal style of writing (an example is using the first person instead of constantly saying “this writer) is nice; it allows me to convey my thoughts more clearly and with more of a personable feel. Columns, blogs and extensions of tweets are all a form of sports blogging, if you can call it that; it falls under a similar category to sports-writing but without the finesse or analysis.
Though anyone can do it, and that’s kind of the point of blogging. It’s an online vehicle for anyone to put their thoughts out there.
Disclaimer: I do not own the above image; it has been used for educational purposes only.
The Tirade - A Blog By Alex Barilaro 