Works Cited

Works Cited

Baker, James, and Moore, Susan. "Blogging as a Social Tool:

A Psychological Examination on the Effects of Blogging." Cyber Psychology

and Behavior. 11.6 (2008): 747-749. Print.

Bulik, Beth. "Does your company need a chief blogger?"

Advertising Age. 49.15 (2008): 24. Print.

Palser, Barb. "Journalistic Blogging." American

Journalism Review. 24.6 (2002): 58. Print.

"Twitter." New York Times 24 SEP 2009: n. pag. Web. 11 Dec 2009.

.

Conclusion

Blogs are everywhere; they have made their way into every aspect of our daily lives. Whether it is for personal reasons, for entertainment, for journalism or to research a business, almost everyone participates in some type of blog daily. Personal blogs are proven to help people dealing with distress cope and they provide the perfect place for people to express themselves freely. Blogs make information attainable to all people, which is one reason why they are so popular. Not only do blogs enable us to connect with other people with whom we have a common interest, but they help us compose cyberspace.

Twitter

One of the recent fads of 2009, Twitter, is a form of blogging called a micro-blog. Twitter has millions of members who maintain their personal micro-blog daily. Throughout the day, a twitter account member can blog, or “tweet” about what they are doing at that moment. Although anyone can have a twitter account, they are very popular among celebrities and are becoming increasingly common for big businesses. “In its short history, Twitter has become an important marketing tool for celebrities, politicians and businesses, promising a level of intimacy never before approached online, as well as giving the public the ability to speak directly to people and institutions once comfortably on a pedestal” (“Twitter”). Tweets keep the member’s followers up to date on the member’s thoughts and actions throughout the day. Twitter is so popular; it has been declared the most commonly used word of 2009.

Corporate or Business Blogging

Blogging has also made its way into the business world through corporate or organizational blogs. Many businesses produce private blogs where people within a company are free to discuss various issues and situations. Many major corporations have started using Twitter as a method of advertising. “Today, just over 11% of Fortune 500 companies have corporate blogs” (Bulik). Some examples of businesses using tweets to promote their business include the Home Depot, Whole Foods Market, JetBlue Airlines, and Comcast, which offers customer service through tweets.

I was really impressed when I learned that many major companies have started to use programs like Twitter to get through to their customers. I think companies who otherwise may seem huge and unapproachable seem more relatable this way. It also provides customers an easy way to ask questions and get quick answers.

Journalism Blogging

Another aspect of blogging which is on the rise is Journalism blogging, which discuss the same current events and topics seen in print newspapers. Journalism blogs are formatted almost exactly like a regular newspaper would be; it is just online rather than in print. “Now blogging is confronting journalism, with the rise of current-events blogs that deconstruct news coverage, spew opinion and even scoop the big media from time to time. The best news bloggers are articulate, independent thinkers. In some ways, they are the antithesis of traditional journalists: unedited, unabashedly opinionated, sporadic and personal” (Palser).

One of the most interesting journalistic blogs I found was thehuffingtonpost.com which was one listed as the number one blog on the list of top 100 blogs on technorati.com. While browsing The Huffington Posts’ site, you can find a blog on just about anything, including politics, media, entertainment, sports, comedy, business, living, style and going green. The blogs are informative while still being short and to-the-point, which is exactly how most people like their news.

News blogs provide a quick fix for the reader; one can open the site and quickly browse through the various topics and pick and choose the information they need. In the fast paced society in which we live, it is rare that people are able to find time to sit down and peruse the newspaper. Journalism blogs enable people to get the information they need in a timely manner. Unlike newspapers, journalism blogs are updated several times a day, so readers are constantly getting receiving breaking news as it surfaces.

Entertainment Blogging

Entertainment has also found its way into the blogosphere. One of the entertainment blogs I follow is PerezHilton.com, which is dedicated to celebrity gossip. This blog serves two purposes, it informs the reader about what’s going on in Hollywood, but it also pokes fun in a slightly crude manner at the ridiculousness of celebrity culture. For example, the site has had many blog postings about the recent speculation surrounding Tiger Woods and his alleged infidelity. Perezhilton.com provided constant updates and breaking news on the situation, and at the same time hilariously made fun of Tiger and his stupidity.

The site is updated several times a day and has millions of followers. Each blog can be commented on by anyone, making it interactive as well as entertaining. If celebrity gossip is not entertaining to you, there are various blogs focused on other types of entertainment such as movies, concerts, restaurants and books.

Personal Blogging

One of the most popular forms of blogging is a personal blog, where people are free to express their thoughts and feelings in an online setting, almost like an online diary. Many people seek emotional relief through personal blogs, where they are free to openly discuss topics they feel they cannot bring up in everyday life. There is also much research available proving that blogs can help people cope with grief. “Most blogs are personal journal blogs, similar to public versions of pen-and-paper diaries in that entries contain personal details about the author’s life. Keeping a diary has been linked to increased coping, improved psychological functioning, and decreased physical distress. Similar to diaries, blogs can provide a space for catharsis and venting about the stresses and emotions of daily living.” (Baker and Moore)

Although there are many benefits to personal blogging, one must be careful when putting personal information on the web. Thousands of young people become victims of online predators every year, so bloggers must be mindful about what information is appropriate to share and what is not.