Skip to main content

Political blogging

Given Hazel Blears' attack on political bloggers, I thought I would highlight a fascinating piece on political blogs from Texas A&M University (I know it's an odd place to find this information, but my innovation team has flown out there yesterday and I was looking for various bits of information when I came across this story).

I wonder what the Welsh blogosphere thinks of the differing views of contributors to the article.

"Blogging can improve your communication, writing and analytical skills, as well as provide a platform for your opinion."


"Blogs can influence the voting process by getting more people interested in and enthused about the political process"


"I don't think [political blogs] have any impact. Partisans gravitate to blogs expressing their ideology and partisanship. There is only crystallization of opinions, as there is no exchange of opinions."

"The downside of blogging in general is that many people on the Internet contribute to the downward spiral of political discourse in America by spreading rumors, innuendo and untruths and by showing little or no respect for their opponents".

Comments

Anonymous said…
Yout thoughts on Wyn's report would be welcome.
November 06, 2008 10:25 am
Anonymous said…
"The downside of blogging in general is that many people on the Internet contribute to the downward spiral of political discourse in America by spreading rumors, innuendo and untruths and by showing little or no respect for their opponents".

My name is David Taylor and I claim my prize
November 06, 2008 4:13 pm
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans said…
Anon 1 - I will blog on this later when I have a copy of the report (promised to me by tomorrow)

Anon 2 - David is a good bloke at heart and I don't know why so many people have a downer on him. Anyway, I get on with him which is what matters to me.
November 06, 2008 5:58 pm
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE CRACHACH

Unlike me, do you consider yourself part of 'the establishment' here in Wales?  As thousands gather for the Eisteddfod in Mold this morning, they will, according to some social commentators, not be participating in the greatest cultural festivals of Europe. Instead, they will merely be bit-part players in one of the annual gatherings of the great and good of Wales.  Unkindly, this set of the movers and shakers in Welsh society is known as 'the crachach' , and constitute a social class all of their own, dominating the educational, cultural and media sectors of Wales and allegedly looking down upon any outsider with new ideas, reinforcing mediocrity and failing to see beyond the limits of their own narrow experience.  They are said to live in a comfort zone that awaits the expected invitation to the next glass of chilled chardonnay and canapés, forgetting that due to their lack of leadership and drive, Wales remains firmly rooted to the bottom of the UK prosperity league ...
30 comments
Read more

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CREATIVE CLASSES

One of my favourite academic books of the last two decades must be the “Rise of the Creative Classes” by Professor Richard Florida.  This was one of the first detailed studies of the growing group of individuals who use their creativity and mental labour to earn a living and not only included those in arts and entertainment, but also people working in science and technology as well as knowledge-based professions such as healthcare, law, business, and finance.  Fast forward to 2022 and Professor Florida has written an updated report on the creative classes although he and his team now identify a different type of individual who is taking full advantage of the growth in digital platforms, social media, and online marketplaces.  Such ‘creators’ are defined as those who use digital technology to make and publish unique creative content, whether in the form of video, film, art, music, design, text, games, or any other media that audiences can access and respond to.  They ...
Read more

THE FUTURE FOR SILICON VALLEY

During the last twenty years, there have been many academics, politicians and policymakers (including yours truly) who have looked over to the innovation developed in Silicon Valley, California and wondered if we could ever emulate that success here in Wales. Whilst the former First Minister Rhodri Morgan proposed only last week that South Wales could become the “UK’s answer to Silicon Valley”, he is not alone in the world with such a suggestion for his local area. With imitation often being the sincerest form of flattery, many others regions across the globe have tried to emulate the ‘secret sauce’ that has led to this small valley to the South East of San Francisco becoming the seedbed for world-leading companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Apple and Google. But after fifty years of success, can it maintain its position as the premier location for innovation in the World? This is a question that its own business community has recently been asking itself. This has culminated in a...
Read more