Media Outreach

In 1994, MIT student Claudio Pinhanez began his “Open Diary,” an online journal he frequently updated and published to the internet from the MIT Media Lab. In doing so, Pinhanez arguably became the world’s first blogger. A blog -a portmanteau of web log – is a journal published on the internet that is used to provide information on a subject, or to serve as an online diary for an individual or group of individuals. The blogging search engine, Technorati, is currently tracking 112.8 million active blogs, a clear indication that the blog has become a major informative device in today’s society. With its practical applications so widespread in the secular world, blogging has the potential to become an equally powerful tool for the church.

There are many different types of blogs in existence today. Some of the more popular forms can be broken down into the following categories:

• Corporate: Corporate blogs exist to promote and fulfill the goals of an organization. These blogs can be used both internally and externally. An internal corporate blog is available to employees and can be used to promote a communal sense within an organization. This communal sense is perpetuated by the sharing of ideas among all employees, regardless of their stature within the company. An external corporate blog is used to provide information to the public about an organization and its goals. In addition, external blogs can help meet advertising needs, and provide an informal insight on the organization that appeals to many readers. Furthermore, through the use of commenting, readers enjoy a sense of interactivity that builds upon their personal connection with the organization. [Google]

• Subject-Oriented: Subject-oriented blogs provide information on a certain topic in which the writer has some expertise. These blogs mainly serve as an informative device to the reader. Many online communities exist in which blogs are categorized on a certain subject area. These blogs are often subject to debate amongst readers on the topic at hand. This interaction between readers not only helps perpetuate a community atmosphere, but allows the reader to form his or her own opinions when presented with the information from different points of view. [Scientific American]

• Personal: Personal blogs serve as an online diary for an individual or in some cases, a group of individuals. This allows the author to write upon current events pertinent to them and to share their views and beliefs with the reader. A recent trend is the establishment of blogging communities such as Xanga and Blogspot. These communities have resulted in a massive social network of bloggers that interact through their various journal entries. By sharing in the experiences of others and providing feedback, the members of these communities not only impact the experience of other readers, but impact their own online experience as well [Blogspot]

Tune In Tomorrow for the Conclusion of this Article…