Blogging is a Web 2.0 concept. It demonstrates many of the key ideas discussed in Tim O’Reilly’s article: What Is Web 2.0. Blogging is a service available on the web platform. It requires no proprietary software, and is accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a web browser, and it is therefore ubiquitous. Many early web applications required costly software that was required to be installed on the users’ machines. This made it challenging for companies to harness the power of user based content since the user was restricted by cost, and compatibility issues across platforms. Since the content available as the result of blogging is generated and distributed by users, the service improves as the number of users increases. According to O’Reilly, “[Web 2.0 companies] build systems that get better the more people use them.” When a piece of information spreads through blogs, being shared by users, it may be described as viral media. Information gets passed along when users feel it is worth showing to others through what is called the social graph. “A social graph is a map of a person's connections, through which they communicate and share information.” (Klaassen, Bulik, 46)
A demonstration of connections within a small social graph.
This is a revolutionary concept since “‘the former audience’, not a few people in a back room, decides what’s important” (O’Reilly). Blogging changes the flow of information. What was originally information travelling in one direction, from a few sources to a large audience, is now information traveling in many directions through an ever growing network of users. Alas the common web user is empowered.
This blog presents the essay "Blogging: Social Empowerment" by Brad Downie (0749318). The introduction is found in the most recent post, while the conclusion is found in the oldest post. Reverse chronological posting does not apply here.
