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What Blogs Should Do . . .

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:40:56 AM EST
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. . . will be the name of the new blog I will be creating (Kidding, no new blogs until Jeralyn kicks me out.) Atrios writes:

Any time the phrase "what the blogs should do..." comes to mind you should probably not type it out. Start your own damn blog and do with it what you want!

I disagree with this. Bloggers write "What ____ Should Do" posts about everyone and everything and I really do not see why blogs themselves should be exempt from it. There should be no sacred cows - not the Media, not pols, not anyone - not even bloggers.

Speaking for me only. This is an Open Thread.

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    What Blogs Should Do . . . | 72 comments (72 topical)

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    Bloggers can do what they like. (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by Fabian on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:53:59 AM EST
    Just as long as they don't pretend to be anything but what they are.

    It's the pretension & hypocrisy that gets to me.  If you were wrong and someone points it out, admit it.  If you are cheer leading fervently, don't pretend to be unbiased.

    I am allin favor of (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:55:18 AM EST
    a "No criticizing BTD" policy however . . .

    There's one vote (none / 0) (#10)
    by NYShooter on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:12:06 AM EST
    Do I hear a second?

    Heloooo?

    Anyone?

    Parent

    Look around you (none / 0) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:16:00 AM EST
    Can you find any blogs that criticize me????

    Parent
    No healthy ones (none / 0) (#15)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:21:13 AM EST


    Parent
    I actually disagree with that (none / 0) (#16)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:22:15 AM EST
    I get kind of overwrought sometimes.

    That is worthy of criticism.

    Everyone is really.

    Parent

    BTD, I wonder about that tendency (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 01:36:52 PM EST
    to get kind of overwrought sometimes

    I can't help but think you're in an altered state when you go off like that.

    Thank you for being one of the few and the fearless who won't STFU.

    Parent

    I didn't mean healthy (none / 0) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:30:08 AM EST
    in a psychobabble sense.  I meant healthy as in numbers and in a readership sense.  You haven't been overwrought in ages.  Aren't we due?  It is the holidays.  Aren't you feeling stressed or something?  I'm overwrought today.  You giving wingers a pass..........MY GOD MAN!

    Parent
    Wingers are now irrelevant (none / 0) (#31)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:43:16 AM EST
    I was thinking about the earlier thing on criticism of me and I do get angry about idiotic lying criticism of me.

    I think I get a lot of that, because of my tone. Sort of my own fault I guess but wth.

    Parent

    You get a ton of it (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:52:06 AM EST
    I don't think it bothers you as much as it used to. Jeralyn and this blog were the best move that ever "happened" to you.  As for Gates, if Gates wants to keep a chair warm for Wes for two years I can try to stomach that and that's it.  From my perspective in this life I am excrement full of these loons and how they always find some created crisis to justify their throwing away of the standards whenever their chumps are running the show.  The only thing that happens when we employ these low lives is that they end up with some sort of credibility that they are human on their resumes.  Whew.........I feel better

    Parent
    It's always about motive (none / 0) (#68)
    by NYShooter on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 03:38:31 PM EST
    I can't speak for others, but for myself, there are a very few people that I have a metaphysical bond with. They can call me an "effen" idiot, and I can tell them they're degenrate fools. People look at us, with envy in their eyes, during these exchanges, knowing full well the basis of our friendship.

    To be able to speak your piece, saying things "off the wall," and knowing that the person you're talking to is grounded, and "knows" you to your bones, is one of life's blessings.

    BTD, I'm pretty new here,  don't know you too well yet, and have been the recipient of one or two "groin kicks from you in response to something I might have said. But I know you well enough that (while I'm holding my crotch) instead of recoiling in anger, I'm laughing my as* off.

    I wouldn't have it any other way; thanks for the confidence.

    p.s. The fact that you don't have a spell checker seals the deal....lol

    Parent

    heh, just the gators. (none / 0) (#58)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:46:15 PM EST
    otherwise, you're okay with me...;-P

    Parent
    well this posted in an odd place... (none / 0) (#59)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:47:32 PM EST
    took the humor out of it. sigh. there wasn't much to begin with.

    Parent
    Recent decision by a "regional" (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:04:08 AM EST
    immigration office barred a British pianist from coming to the U.S. to play a recital at the Frick in New York City.  Reason:  he and the singer weren't really a duo in the eyes of immigration.  What the heck does immigration know about it?

    NYT

    Must Have Been (none / 0) (#8)
    by squeaky on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:07:35 AM EST
    Because the guy was a Lepper. All kidding aside, this is obscene misuse of power. Whoever made the decision to deny Mr Lepper a visa should be fired.

    Nice to see that you made a link, a rarity for you.

    Parent

    exactly (none / 0) (#9)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:08:57 AM EST


    Parent
    How bizarre! (none / 0) (#63)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 01:47:19 PM EST


    Parent
    Bizarre: Obama doesn't want "girly dog" (none / 0) (#69)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 03:52:17 PM EST
    Leave it to Barbara Walters to wring this nonsense out of Obama, leave it to POLITICO to report the story, which HuffPo obligingly picked up and carried:
    Here's the back and forth between Obama and Bawbwa [on dogs]:

    Obama: "Cha Cha?"

    Bawbwa: "It's short for Cha Cha Cha."

    O: "What is a Havanese?"

    B: "It's like a little terrier and they're non-allergenic and they're the sweetest dogs.."

    O: [Face suddenly changes.] "It's like a little yappy dog?"

    Michelle: "Don't criticize."

    O: "It, like, sits in your lap and things?"

    M: "It's a cute dog."

    O: "It sounds kinda like a girly dog."

    M: "We're girls. We have a houseful of girls."

    O [with hand gestures]: "We're going to have a big rambunctious dog, of some sort."

    Note to Obama: GW Bush got away with actually carrying around a couple of lap-dog terriers, under his arm, for the past 8 years; so get over it and let the girls get whatever darn dog they want. And enough with the dogs already. The top has long lost whatever levity value it may have had.

    Parent

    Not attractive, IMHO (none / 0) (#70)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:48:21 PM EST
    But I suppose dogs are a better place for him to prove he's a manly man than wars, eh?

    I DON"T CARE about the damn dog, but apparently, the idiot part of the public (and thus the media) can't get enough of it. <snore, groan>

    Those funny little Scotties, though, I have to admit, are the one and only thing I like about the Bush family, all generations.

    Parent

    Ah, Scotties that's the name.... (none / 0) (#72)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 12:40:29 AM EST
    Barney and Miss Beasley, featured in the White House Xmas video a couple of years ago. It's worth a click.

    Parent
    oh god no (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:05:35 AM EST
    Me and a couple of people have a very small blog that's going somewhere --- although we're not sure where yet --- and we're dealing with some yahoo who's trying to save us from ourselves and Direct Us and bring us traffic from dKos (good gawd almighty, PLEASE DON'T!).

    I can't even tell you how annoying it is. Gawd, if he has such grand plans, why doesn't he start his own stupid blog? Same thing here.

    Besides, methinks the, erm, netroots overestimates itself. Most people I know don't even know what a freaking blog is, but they still voted for Obama. Except the wingnuts, of course.

    It's the five paragraph essay problem, imo. For the last decade or so, there has been this virtual cult of writing teachers who insist the five paragraph essay is the only way to write and the only way to teach writing. But, no, it isn't. And in fact in many people's opinion (including my own) the five paragraph essay cult is destroying generations of potential American lit.

    Same with The Blogs Must ____ (fill in the blank).

    Interesting (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by CST on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:23:13 AM EST
    I always found the 5 paragraph essay to be highly useful in scholastic/professional life.  I never thought it would take over the blog world.  I think it's clear that there is a difference between "work" writing and creative writing where you stray from the model.  I would hope anyone who is interested in blogging or taking creative writing/lit classes would stray more often.  The fact that I find it usefull for my engineering work says a lot about it - it's boring, usefull, academic and doesn't allow much freedom of expression.

    Parent
    Not the blog world (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:30:16 AM EST
    The writing world.

    When kids are taught the only acceptable structure for writing is the five paragraph essay, the potential for truly creative - and individual - and groundbreaking - and etc. lit is flushed right down the toilet.

    By kids, I also mean 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 year olds because, let's face it, they don't have all their brain cells yet, therefore, they're still kids and still very malleable.

    Imo, writing is best taught by making them read and write as much as possible. Unfortunately, that's not the way it is anymore.

    In terms of Blog World, the analogy is bloggers need to just do it and not be held captive by all kinds of What The Blogs Must Do pronouncements.

    Parent

    Hey, Cookie (none / 0) (#71)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:51:13 PM EST
    no offense or anything, but didn't they teach you that "Me and X" as a sentence subject/noun was wildly, excruciatingly wrong while they were dealing with the five paragraphs?

    Seriously, call me a snob, but I cringe when I read that and find it hard to pay attention to what "Me and X" are up to in the rest of the sentence.

    Parent

    So what is your blog? (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Radiowalla on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:25:27 AM EST
    Or is it against protocol to link it here?

    Parent
    We're extremely resistant to traffic (none / 0) (#28)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:39:13 AM EST
    or I'd tell you.

    :P

    Parent

    I thought blogs wanted more traffic, not less? (none / 0) (#30)
    by Lil on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:41:39 AM EST


    Parent
    I'm joking (none / 0) (#32)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:44:56 AM EST
    Although truth be known I don't have the time or energy to keep up with a blog that has too much traffic. None of us do over there.

    Parent
    Check commenters "user info" (none / 0) (#34)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:46:51 AM EST


    Parent
    OK, play hard to get! (none / 0) (#67)
    by Radiowalla on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 02:53:23 PM EST
    I'll track you down!  

    Parent
    So, what you are saying is: (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:26:32 AM EST
    the five paragraph essay is the root of all evil?

    P.S.  My friends who were such early-Obama-adopters proudly proclaim they have never even looked at a blog.  [I think this is yet another way they disparage Clinton supporters!]

    Parent

    Do you think (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by CST on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:31:42 AM EST
    They think more Clinton supporters are on blogs?

    I think it's silly to boast about not "looking at blogs".  Blogs are what they are.  Sources of information, sometimes right, sometimes wrong, a clash of different opinions.  That's like bragging "I don't read!"

    Parent

    No, but they know I am. (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:33:45 AM EST


    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#27)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:37:44 AM EST
    I used to have relatively neutral feelings about it, believing it handy for various uses. But it's become nothing more than an easy tool used to badger delicate young minds into conforming their writing into a structure and organization that is extremely easy to grade and not the least reliant on content.

    Totally style vs. content, form vs. substance, blah blah blah.

    I know writing teachers who grade only the structure. They could care less what the content is.

    This is the dismal void that the five paragraph essay has wrought!

    Parent

    When did schools start (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:51:06 AM EST
    teaching the five paragraph essay?  I ask because the very bright fifth grader I tutor revealed the other day he doesn't really like to write.  Not too surprising as his homework does not include much in the way of creative writing and, when it does, their are general topic bullet points he must include.  Boring but sad.  He is an excellent reader who is broadly curious and understands and remembers what he reads.  

    Parent
    It was what I was taught (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:05:34 PM EST
    After they get their minimum requirements out of us they forget to tell us all that we can tinker with this format, expound upon it, and even throw it away.  I'm a rebel though

    Parent
    Re: "I'm a rebel though." (none / 0) (#48)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:14:58 PM EST
    Do tell.

    Parent
    Re: "I'm a rebel though." (none / 0) (#49)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:15:00 PM EST
    Do tell.

    Parent
    They've been using it forever (none / 0) (#38)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:57:11 AM EST
    See Tina Blue for a partial defense.

    Parent
    The five paragraph essay is (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:03:22 PM EST
    ... useful as a mode - A mode - of writing. One among many. A tool in your toolbox. One way to go about it.

    Unfortunately, it has become The Only Way To Do It.

    Therein lies the problem.

    Parent

    In certain circumstances, it IS (none / 0) (#45)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:08:02 PM EST
    "The Only Way To Do It."

    I've aced my share of standardized writing tests over the years, and they've almost uniformly required responses very similar to the five paragraph essay.

    It's not hard to understand why: underpaid grad students get three minutes to grade your writing with a predetermined rubric. Also, the question prompts for such texts often suggest--guess what--three categories of analysis.

    Parent

    Well paid faculty (none / 0) (#52)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:18:45 PM EST
    ... as well.

    It's not just the grad students doing that.

    Parent

    So I've heard (none / 0) (#57)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:21:26 PM EST
    I had one AP History teacher in HS who was proud to be a reader during the summer. But in that and most other cases (especially, I guess, the new SAT writing section), the pay is a pittance.

    And then, of course, there's e-rater. UGH.

    Parent

    This began in the 1990s, I believe (none / 0) (#39)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:58:42 AM EST
    It's entirely possible your tutee has been subjected to its abuses - or, at least, abuse at the hands of some nimcompoops forcing him/her to write using only that structure.

    It's everywhere now, except at some very good schools where they're not dependent on NCLB.

    America simply doesn't bother to teach reading or writing anymore. One result: you should see the stats on the numbers of kids having to go into remedial classes their first year or so of college.


    Parent

    My tutoree is in a public elementary (none / 0) (#43)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:06:53 PM EST
    school in the downtown metropolitan area.  Students are almost entirely minority ethnic background and eligible for federal school breakfast program.  Standardized tests rule.  I'm really surprised he isn't suffering terminal boredom already.

    Parent
    Oh yea (none / 0) (#47)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:13:52 PM EST
    The college I teach at is something like 80%? 90%? minority.

    These kids are being taught not to write.

    There are other issues as well in many of these schools.

    The best thing you can do is get him/her reading. Especially books, magazines and the like. Online reading is okay, but there's some debate and a bit of evidence beginning to come out that suggests online reading is very different than book reading and, for kids to acquire the skills needed in this society (linearity, sustained focus, etc), they need to read books, longer written works, etc.

    That writing can provide him/her models that will circumvent whatever's going on at school.

    Parent

    I am one of Amazon's best (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:20:01 PM EST
    customers on his behalf.  He enjoys the DK books and asked for the DK books on WWI and WWII, which surprised me.  

    Parent
    reading (none / 0) (#50)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:16:10 PM EST
    That reading can provide ....

    not writing

    argh.  ::dives back into coffee pot::

    Parent

    Me too if he's a really sharp kid (none / 0) (#51)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:17:02 PM EST
    Having you though to supplement, what a jewel that would be as a kid!

    Parent
    I'm having fun. Latest challenge: (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 02:09:42 PM EST
    submit 23 page application for charter school on UC campus. 23 pages!!!!  I don't recall putting that much effort into my college application.

    Parent
    I think this is true (none / 0) (#44)
    by Lil on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:07:42 PM EST
    I supervise a lot of college students, and am shocked many of them got out of HS. They really can't write. Of course there are talented writers, who can do it in spite of the methods taught, but if you are not one of them, it seems like it is not even a requirement to graduate anymore.

    Parent
    Exactly (none / 0) (#53)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:19:27 PM EST
    It is absolutely criminal, imo.

    Parent
    One of my adult kids has been (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:21:23 PM EST
    reading applications to professional school as part of her temp job.  She says the applicants can neither write nor spell.

    Parent
    What is the five paragraph essay? (none / 0) (#60)
    by nycstray on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:48:22 PM EST
    Aside from an essay with 5 paragraphs that is. What's the teaching?

    Parent
    Structure (none / 0) (#61)
    by CST on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 01:03:21 PM EST
    Intro

    3 "body" paragraphs - each one addressing a seperate point in the thesis

    Conclusion

    Parent

    Thanks. Long time since I was in school :) (none / 0) (#66)
    by nycstray on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 02:22:38 PM EST


    Parent
    I am very fond of the (5.00 / 11) (#29)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:41:09 AM EST
    3 graf post.

    Lede

    Blockquote

    "Blogger is an idiot"

    approach.

    Parent

    lol! (5.00 / 3) (#33)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:46:04 AM EST


    Parent
    No Chance (5.00 / 9) (#12)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:15:56 AM EST
    BTD would be asked to leave TalkLeft. He is a unique, valued and indispensable voice.

    Thank you BTD for all your contributions and your dedication, and for choosing TalkLeft as your blog.

    TChris and I share the same concerns and have the same positions. I am so grateful for his posts.

    TalkLeft is what it is, the voice of three lawyers, two who concentrate on providing crime and injustice news of the day from the defense point of view and one who takes on politics, the media, blogs and the blogosphere.

    If the cart isn't broke, there's no need to fix it.   We have our niche and it works for us. We hope it works for you.

    Nice of you to say (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:19:13 AM EST
    I said it before and I'll say it again, J is a treasure.

    Hey, I even wrote a sort of criminal law post the other day. I hope you and Chris get a chance to do something actually meaningful in the way of a post about it.

    The Second Circuit decision on the Fourth Amendment Warrant Clause not applying overseas.

    There were other interesting aspects to that decision on the suppression hearing itself - it was ex parte - on national security grounds.

    I did not feel qualified to delve into that issue at all.

    Would love to hear from you or TChris on it from the criminal defense attorney perspective.


    Parent

    Waiting, still waiting, for your (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:29:39 AM EST
    critique of that lengthy ruling. Couldn't make myself read the entire opinion.  

    Parent
    I am waiting and hoping (none / 0) (#26)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:36:10 AM EST
    for the criminal defense attorney perspective.

    Parent
    They are agin it. (none / 0) (#37)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:54:59 AM EST


    Parent
    Are looking looking for a fight? (none / 0) (#3)
    by Lil on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:01:30 AM EST


    I do not think so (none / 0) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:03:56 AM EST
    Just stating an opinion.

    Parent
    What Blogs Should Do (none / 0) (#5)
    by squeaky on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:04:03 AM EST
    Or: If I Controlled the World aka Blogosphere

    I can relate.

    When Blogs Collide (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:22:18 AM EST


    Parent
    Different Question Perhaps (none / 0) (#11)
    by santarita on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:14:08 AM EST
    I take your question not so much as normative but as descriptive.

    As in "What makes a  progressive blog good or not so good?"

    And even if you are being normative, Atrios is off-base in his criticism because he fails to recognize that not all blogs have the same notoriety and influence.  It's true that one can create his or her own blog but getting recognition and influence are a different story.

    I think bloggers (none / 0) (#42)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:06:01 PM EST
    just need to stop pretending they are Very Serious People.  It irks me that some of them seem to have created their own "Village."  

    For instance, it looks like Ackerman is going to "correct" us all later for attacking Brennan.  He is basically taking on the attitude of the MSM, that we are all screaming harpies.  

    That is one thing I like about Giordano...I do not agree with him but he is quite tenacious.  

    Does a blogger have a chance of (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:10:18 PM EST
    a TV talking head career w/o being a "Very Serious Blogger"?

    Parent
    "How do I get to MSNBC?" (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 12:19:29 PM EST
    Practice boys, practice!

    Parent
    Turns out even the terrorists (none / 0) (#65)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 02:11:40 PM EST
    agree Obama is the "media darling."  Warning; link is to Huffington Post:

    Link

    What Blogs Should Do . . . | 72 comments (72 topical)

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