the P.Pole

Yesterday, there was a meeting at work where they were explaining to us the etiquette/basics of “blogging”. What is “blogging” you ask? Without being pedantic, it’s what I’ve been doing here for the past several years on my own. It’s nothing new to me, but people “out there” seem to trivialize or write off the habit as something for “those people”. I’m pretty comfortable with writing online–heck, the P.Pole was “outed” yesterday to everyone on the Open Text Yammer network and I’ve already gotten over it–but I don’t know that a new blogger (“NewB” for short?) would feel the same way. We were all required to undergo the training session as Open Text encourages the coops to blog about their experiences at the company, which is actually quite a great idea. I’d be fine with this, and might even make a few posts just for the people running this idea, but I’ve got some bones to pick first (you didn’t really think I’d make it so easy, did you?).

First off, online publication is not for everyone. This was evidenced by the lack of enthusiasm/response when, at the end of the fifteen minute presentation, nearly everyone was either zoned out or leaning out of their chairs to leave. I think most people are great consumers of content, but few are destined for the high and noble calling of producing good, palatable writing. To open this up to everyone is a must, obviously, but to expect everyone to willingly participate is a stretch. In terms of how the internet is used, I’d say the majority of people will mostly be content with consuming content (oh lookit the cute lil’ unintentional pun) 90% of the time, while a small minority focus on producing content 90% of the time. I’d count myself as somewhere in between, with a bias towards producing. And of course, I am not exactly representative of the majority of people hither or tither.

The other major nerve they hit with their system is that they want us to “blog” on Facebook. Don’t get me wrong–Facebook does have its uses. I just don’t think it’s nearly as professional or dedicated looking as an actual WordPress/Blogger page. In fact, I take my posts from here, where they are true blue to how I want them to be presented, and inject a bastardized form of them into my Facebook feed for friends/family (that may not want to bother with visiting my URL or setting up an RSS reader) a chance to keep abreast (you’ve got to love that word) of my comings and goings. I just don’t think it’s the best way to journal or publish for the long term.

In any case, I suppose this is me half-complying and half-rebelling to their mandate to have us coops blog. Like most other things, I’ll do it if its meaningful, but I’m going to do it my way, because I think it’s better.