Blogging is not only a new technology of writing; it’s also a new way of reading. In Christian antiquity, reading was a social activity, not a wholly private one. The earliest recorded incident of silent reading is found in Augustine’s Confessions. Augustine relates with astonishment Ambrose’s habit of reading in silence, a practice he had never seen before: “When he read, his eyes scanned the page and his heart sought out the meaning, but his voice was silent and his tongue was still.”…
In the world of Web 2.0, the ideal of the solitary reader is waning fast. Blogging is a kind of reading-together. It is the formation of a new kind of community of reading. No longer is reading an activity reserved for the private study, that carefully crafted space where thought is cultivated under conditions of silence, leisure, economic privilege. To read a blog is to participate in a collective reading process: on any given day, we all read the same post, the same thread of comments and responses. Such reading is far removed from solitude: the reading is understood primarily as a stimulus to conversation, criticism, discussion. Here, reading is not so much an end in itself as the means to a particular form of community. The very act of reading thus becomes a collective project…
~ Ben Myers, Blogging as a Technology of the Self
Notes:
- Thank you Beth @ Alive on All Channels for your wonderful blog. A daily stop for me.
- Photo: One Ordinary Night
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Best explanation …. Right on target!
Oh
And it’s fun.
Agree with that!
Perhaps the reason it’s so fun is because of the community-effort, so to speak. We ARE all reading together in a virtual, ‘new age’ way. I so agree.
Me too Pam. Have a great weekend
This is so very true –
Well said. :o) Kudos…..
I think this is partly what I enjoy about blogging – sharing bits and pieces that interest me. I think “reading together” really describes it. I have many blogging friends I’ve gathered over my years of blogging. People I’ve never met “in the flesh” but people with whom I share ideas images poems about which we are both passionate. We read each other’s blogs and share our material. I think it’s wonderful.
Elizabeth, you have captured it beautifully. Thanks
This resonates, for sure.
Such an intriguing perspective. Hadn’t thought of it that way, but as soon as I read this, I thought ‘Yep.’ For me, my favorite blogs are like a beloved coffee shop where I go each morning to catch up on the news, kick around an intriguing idea, in short commune… 😊
Yes, exactly this. Right here.
I had not thought of reading as it relates to blogging, but you make an interesting point.
I’d been feeling a bit guilty that my best reading time lately has come from blogs (great writing, wonderful ideas) – but this post puts it exactly into perspective. No more guilt. Thanks.
Smiling. So great. Thanks for sharing Susan.
This explains the blogging experience so well. Thanks for reading and writing with me David. I like our reading community.
It does Brenda. I am honored to be part of your community. Thank you.
Jumping up and down on the “Like” button.
This “particular form of community” keeps me connected to the thoughtful, compassionate, funny parts of humanity far removed from the vapid and sorry-asses I see around me in “real life.” I am Grateful every day for this forum.
Comment of the Day! Right here. Still laughing.
Blogging has become a way of life – connecting people, meeting new friends, discovering new places and reading together. What a wonderful post 🙂
Hi Arlene. I so agree with you as to blogging become a way of life, a community. Thanks for sharing and dropping by.
You’re welcome David 🙂
Yes! Love this perspective as it really resonates with me … you … and us 😎
Bingo. Bang on. Have a great weekend Val.
Love this and it’s exactly what my experience has been and I feel unbelievably fortunate to have found such a collective, a community of readers!!
Yes. So me too!