Blog declared Word of the Year, definition of blog derided as garbage
US Dictionary Merriam-Webster’s has announced that the word “blog” is their word of the year in their annual pronouncement of the Top 10 words of 2004, which also bizarrely included the words cicada and defenestration.
Webster’s defines a blog as “a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer” in what can be best described as garbage or even so 1999.
We’ve covered the topic last year, so I won’t revisit the whole debate again, but in summary whilst a blog can be a personal journal, it can also be much more that this. This is what I came up the time, and although a little long, I feel it still holds true.
What is a Blog
“A Blog is a hierarchy of text, images, media objects and data, arranged chronologically, underpinned with a content delivery system which provides the ability to deliver content frequently and with little skill, which builds meaningful social connections or virtual communities on any and all subject matters.”
I have to say that it is discouraging when people attempt to use legitimate avenues, e.g. Webster’s Dictionary to demean credible things such as weblog’s. Attempting in the same to portray [all] of us as some teeny bopper laying on our beds with pony tails, chewing gum and boby socks as we write out…”like, he/she’s to die for, I just hope he didn’t mind I had braces”….
I believe weblog’s can fit into four primary categories:
1. Social: One who uses their weblog for such things as making friends, forming social groups, writing journals, etc.
2. Busness: One who uses their weblog to promote their product or service in trade or for revenue or as a believed civic duty.
3. Journalism: One who uses their weblog to address and discuss matters of public interest or concern.
4. Advocacy: One who uses their weblog for a cause; generally of a social justice nature and incorporates both the Journalism and Business platforms into their weblog.
Unfortuantely, like so many things in our society, we tend to fixate on the perceived inferior class and flood them with demeaning remarks to somehow belittle their efforts, talents and services. Yet, as you previously pointed out in another article, corporations are seeing the marketing value weblog’s hold…don’t confuse this with corporate acceptance of weblog’s..only a get even richer scheme at minimal costs by luring some uninformed weblogger into advertising for them at rediciously low service fees the corporation will pay the weblog publisher.
‘cicada’ — not so bizarre. Large parts of the US were under siege by apex of the 17-year cicada cycle this summer.