The Revolution Will Not Be Blogged
August 27, 2008
The so-called blogging revolution is dead. Yep, stick a fork in it. And it died in Denver in the lap of the Democratic Party – purring happily and doing nothing at its death but holding a mini-cam in its paws so as to document its last, pathetic moments.
Let’s face it: Blogging is the new opiate of the current activist generations. Instead of hitting the streets, disrupting the conventions, confronting the power elites or penning their own Port Heron statements, the new blogger generation is busy taking photos of those taking photos of them while they all race to the nearest wireless connection to be the first to upload the photos of nothing really in particular. But they were there! And they’ve got the photos to prove it, damn it.
Quick, someone put out the memo: Blogging is NOT activism. Because simply telling someone about something doesn’t mean you did anything about it – no matter how fast your Internet connection or your prowess with YouTube is.
Take, for example, the bloggers and the current Democratic Convention. If only half of those filling the bloggers’ official home in Denver – known as the “Big Tent” – put down their cameras, their Blackberries, their laptops, and their cutesy “look where I am!” commentaries long enough to actually join in the protests and the activism going on under their noses, the Democratic Party might be forced to actually address some important issues. You know, things like the war (remember that?), health care, global warming, the housing crisis, and – oh yeah – jobs.
Instead, the bloggers (for the most part – because there are some exceptions) are ego-bent on making the story in Denver more like a remake of a Chevy Chase vacation flick than a chance to actually provide some insight into the struggles, the challenges, the power, the privilege and the activist possibilities of it all.
While digesting more coverage of the convention than I thought I could stomach, I’ve been particularly struck by the coverage of the protests outside. Specifically, I’ve noticed how few protesters there are compared to how many people are standing around documenting the protests. Sadly, somewhere along the line, documenting attempts at change became “cooler” than actually risking something and participating in change.
The Howard Dean-led Democratic National Committee took it all one-step further, too: They made the blogs fight for the “one pass per state” to come into the convention as “official” participants. And so, like little fish fighting for the hook, they trampled upon each other and lunged for the almighty bite of – say what? – an inside ticket. Ah, bait ‘em with “access,” bring ‘em in with a ticket and then own ‘em. Because, once inside, they know who’s buttering their bread.
The result, of course, has been one gooey-eyed report after another from the “anointed bloggers,” gushing continuously about “the history,” “the enthusiasm,” “the celebrities” (oh-my-God, is that Walter Mondale?) and the absolute “importance” of it all – with photos and video!!!! Mission accomplished, Mr. Dean, the blogger lapdogs have been neutered.
It’s more than sad to think that the more media – mainstream and citizen – that there is at this convention has equated to less meaningful coverage. I mean, how much have you read about the rallies, the protests or the issues? Instead, we know more than we’d ever want to know about the mood, the cheers, the celebrities (is that Susan Sarandon?) and how “exhausting” it all is for the poor, insider bloggers.
For the most part, blogging has become about witnessing. And the more people are merely witnessing – especially with tickets to the inside – the less people are “doing.” Indeed, “instant” messaging has replaced “effective” messaging.
Ding-dong, the blogging revolution is dead.
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how can there be no comments on such an erudite, insightful column? please tell us you are not going to watch anymore coverage, moik. your mental? health is at risk.
Don’t worry, it’s farrier day here — yes, Randy is coming! Randy is coming! That should provide a much-needed mental readjustment. Whew.
Hey Mike,
Not that I’d want to be in Denver anyway. Can you imagine living there and having to put up with all those mules and mule watchers? I lived in Houston in 1992 when the Republicans came to that city (before internet “coverage”): no thanks. Yeah, I blog, but I’m also out there in the community - doing my small bit. I met some of the VT bloggers at the picnic this summer, mostly nice people. But they’re deffo an insider bunch. And their reporting seems to be who can out do who. It just doesn’t relate to the honest working stiff gettin’ up in the morning to lift that bale. The only speaker so far at the convention who really moved me was the woman from Alabama who worked for BF Goodrich and fought for pay equity. Yeah, Kucinich wowed ‘em (but the hall wasn’t that full). He did the same thing when Kerry was the nominee - pumped up the crowd to vote for the ticket. In both cases (then and now) the nominees positions were anathema to his: why does he cave in? He’s a Democrat, that’s why. The party “unity” is given more stress than doing what the people really want.
Heh. ..Colby criticizing people for having a hyperinflated sense of self-importance. Kinda like Einstein criticizing people for being intelligent or something.
How’s that convention disruption going? Now, I still haven’t come to terms with you being the final end-all be all definer of activism, as I’m too busy counting all of the endless wars you’ve personally stopped and all of the politicians you’ve personally brought down. Oh wait, I’m done. That was quick.
But seriously… speaking only for myself here…if you have some sort of valid criticism of my coverage, most of which has to do with the sheer stupidity of it all, I’d love to hear it. Sounds like you’re just sore that you’re not in the spotlight, the essence of your existence.
This dog and pony show is more than just politics. It’s a sociological observation and a study into propaganda and media craft. Too bad you can’t see that.
Jay: Indeed, all nice folks, those mainstream VT bloggers. But, unfortunately, they’ve got their noses way too far up the power elite’s rumps for my taste. It’s sad to see what started as a “people’s” medium like blogging be used to snuggle up to power rather than challenge it. And it’s even more intolerable when they criticize the mainstream media’s propagandistic ways and then do little more but imitate it.
JD: Let me part the waters of my brook and join you in the shallow end for a second. One word describes the embedded bloggers coverage that I’ve seen (including yours): Vapid. Other than that, I don’t know what else to add to my previously published words on the matter.
- “Look at the celebrity I met/saw”
- “Traveling is hard/fun/tiring”
- “A reporter talked to me about blogging, I am important”
- Opinion / “insights” that didn’t require a trip to Denver
- Some trivia about the convention that’s utterly uninteresting
- A little bit of useful information I already knew about the convention from CNN/MSNBC et al.
Someone please find me a VT blog entry that doesn’t fall into one of these categories.
Shit…should have posted my comment here instead of GMD. But I did it on GMD so all those ‘important people’ who are following that blog will see how radical and witty I am and offer me a job (an easy HIGH PAYING job) “working within the system to change it.”
Are you still gonna blog when blogging goes corporate?
And…I wish I where in Denver. Susan Saradan? I know where my nose would be.
Brilliantly penned. I have been reading 4 Vt bloggers over the last 4 days. Only one speaks any sense and he is the one who found the free beer.
[...] 28, 2008 · No Comments can i get a witness? Let’s face it: Blogging is the new opiate of the current activist generations. Instead of hitting [...]
Don- The answer to your question in my blog integralpsychosis.com
MC- My elongated response will be forthcoming….
Cheers
I’m so happy. A babe, an ex-beauty queen for VP. Get rid of this Obama button and just sit back and see what happens. And here all along I’ve been saying McCain is stupid and addled. And OLD. This says to Hillary’s people: ‘Listen, I’m old and sickly; I’ll die in office within 2 years–3 years max–then you have your first woman President. OK?’
Plus, she’s a hunter, and her husband races snowmobiles. They’ve locked up the yahoo/lottery ticket-scratcher vote. Michelle better get her hemlines raised, or send Bill Clinton on a mission. I love the smell of establishment politics in the morning. It smells like…………