Generally speaking…
I think we overestimate ourselves.
We think we all can write, and we think we're all right just because we can string together a few words. Oh we think just because we're able to publish these things, and these 'articles', because they're publicly accessible (provided you have an inkling on what 'weblogging' is all about), we're invisible. We think we're important, oh we think we're all very important people, that even though our thoughts are diverse and mostly generalizing, we're supposed to be taken seriously. And so we allow ourselves to grow and expand in our self-consuming egos, conveniently ignoring responsibility, because we think we can.
I think politicians, and important business people, they overestimate us too.
For some reason they give us far more credit that we all should afford ourselves. They make statements about our characters, sweeping ones that somehow find their way to the newstands, printed in 'established' registered press copies. They estimate the number of us, they think we're a legion, when in fact, we're all separated cliques, basking in adoration of our bloated self-esteems. They feed us, they give us credit (even when we don't exactly deserve all these). They tell the people to look at us, think about us. By bestowing unresearched labels upon us, they're according us some kind of undeserved respect, now people see, people look, people think, oh yeah these could be true. You see, in the real world, most people actually believe about 50% of what the politicians say, and then they add more salt and pepper to spice up the remaining 50% so that it becomes extra spicy and delectable to the ears.
It's an interesting situation. Really.
All these statements, I think they give us far too much credit. A note of appreciation to them, because we won't be where we are if not for their efforts in ensuring that people listen. Now we've turned from nobodies into somebodies. All thanks to you.
Generally speaking of course. This is a post of sweeping statements.
March 27th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
whoo hoo! love these sweeping statements! u rock!
March 27th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
we’ve been given too much credit. but hey if they insist, i won’t reject em’ haahahaha
sounds like we’re the in-thing. the popular ones. the trend starters.
we’re being envied. so much.
March 28th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I have to state that I somewhat disagree with your statement. Bloggers definitely are a force to be reckoned with because they can reach an audience that cannot be reached through other means, i.e. TV, radio, newspapers. I know that I for one would know little about the current events of Malaysia or the Malaysian lifestyle without a blog like yours for me to read.
However, I do agree with one of your points, the point that it is possible that there might be an over-reliance on blogs in relation to people learning about political issues.
Why do I think there is an over-reliance? Well, because blogs make it easy for individuals to view only one side of a debate - almost always the side of the debate they favor. Blogs are not required to be neutral or fair (not that newspapers are really neutral, but they are intended to be). They can slant the arguments in their favor. In America at least, and I cannot say the same for other countries, not having experience, Americans have become more and more polarized because they only found the blogs and websites that share the same views as they do. Because of this, it is very easy for people to be completely blind to all of the important points that the other side wishes to bring up, and they may be completely blind to the issues that the partisan blog that they read choose not to bring up.
On the other hand, bloggers give the average citizen a greater say in what goes. It is a democratizing process in that you don’t need to be well-connected, well-educated, or even well-written to express your opinion. That means that minority groups have a better chance to be heard than through mainstream media venues such as radio, TV, or newspapers.
So, in effect, I feel that you, Minishorts, and those like you deserve both more credit and less credit than you feel you deserve.
March 28th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I knew you missed my long-winded essays, so I had to toss one in there, ;)……
lol
March 28th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Yea… we’re given too much credit. That’s how things work in M’sia, politcians (with pea-sized brain) will make sweeping statements and in a way demonise us hoping that the public will be against bloggers.
But lo and behold… the limelight are on bloggers, more so than ever before. Good and bad, most of us bloggers weren’t in it for fame.
Any person with common sense would not just take everything they read in papers and blogs as absolute truths, but to weigh them correctly and make their own perception about it.
But I guess, nowadays in M’sia, common sense is not so common anymore.
my 2 sen worth.
March 28th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
well written mini.
Now one don’t need a brain these days to make a remark, or comment anymore. Just read your local newspapers and you will see why.
March 31st, 2007 at 12:35 am
I think the internet medium has made us so ‘global’ and the kind of ‘reach’ & influence such blogs has ..
March 31st, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I for one have to disagree as I feel that we are underestimated and its true that in some ways we have been marginalized too. Take for example how many times have u seen in the local news with headlines starting with “Datuk XXX advices ….” on multiple issues from moral decay to what classes to take in uni so that they won’t be jobless when they graduate.
Reading blogs is almost like watching the Daily Show and Colbert Report. Its a good source but you need more.