About a year ago I linked to some blog post that was talking about changes in the blogsphere: fewer and more high-profile blogs, less commenting and other things. I think I disagreed with some of it at the time.
But the last few months I have had a growing sense that the blogsphere has made a major shift here in Australia. What that article was talking about (I can't find the link again now!) has probably just taken time to trickle to our shores.
Some observations:
- Most personal blogs are dead or dying. Facebook has replaced the need for online journals.
- The amount of commenting on blogs also seems to have decreased. I suspect it's because it's annoying to comment on things via mobile phones.
- There are stacks of corporate-feeling blogs, including those produced by churches. These are generally long and boring.
- There is less sharp opinion and idea sharing. Blog posts are more like considered opinions with a personal flavour, rather than primarily personal.
- The best blogs that I look forward to reading are much more like short magazine articles. The ones I look forward to reading are written by people who write well and have interesting ideas, rather than just people I know or like.
- Linking to other stuff is less common, and when it is done it is for more detailed editorial comment, or as part of a 'weekly roundup' sort of thing. I suppose again Facebook and Twitter have replaced these.
- As a result of much of this, the 'blogsphere' (so 2003) feels less like a community.
- I have started following fewer blogs on a wider range of topics on blogs, on music, management, etc, rather than simply all the people I know, or simply Christian blogs.
