'Blogalization' and 100+ posts !
(DISCLAIMER: Extremely long post ahead, proceed with caution!)This is my one hundred and fourth blog post. It was actually supposed to be my one hundredth post, but my 'Williams Air' article took that slot. This was somewhat unfortunate, but it couldn't be helped. I had to run with the idea for the article at the time, else, I would've forgotten all about it.
This is what my 100th post should've been about:
On November 14, I got an e-mail from
Janine Mendes-Franco. She 'covers' the Caribbean blogging beat for
Global Voices Online, a site that: "seeks to aggregate, curate, and amplify the global conversation online - shining light on places and people other media often ignore. We work to develop tools, institutions and relationships that will help all voices, everywhere, to be heard."
Janine had linked to one or two articles on my blog in the past. So when she contacted me, I had a vague idea of who she was. What I didn't expect was for her to ask for my input on the term 'Blogalization' (I still don't like that term) and its relevance to the Caribbean.
Now, what do I know about 'Blogalization' and its relevance to the Caribbean? Nothing. So I replied back, thanked her for the opportunity and mentioned to her that I wouldn't have anything worthwhile to contribute, but that I'd try anyway.
Mind you, on November 16, I found out from the local MBA programme office that the assignment that I didn't submit (I was sick, missed the exam and the assignment, which is worth 50% of my final module mark for the Managing in the Competitve Environment module), was now due on November 26. The exam, which I also missed, is worth the other 50% and will be held sometime in October, 2008.
At this stage, I should note that writing, for me, is a somewhat painful, extended and drawn out process. If I'm lucky, an original idea (or two), for an article will float around my mind, not quite revealing itself, but not quite hiding in the infinite darkness either. I have to start typing, even if its nonesense (like this particular post) and along the way, things may start to take shape, or least, appear to make sense (to me anyway).
If I was a proper writer, I'd churn out cheesy, sex and romance novels by the dozen (always a market for those), sell a few to some Hollywood-type movie producers, make millions (or close to millions) and retire.But I'm straying. So, here I am committing to writing a few words on 'Blogalization', etcetera, and at the same time, I have a 2,500 word assignment to hand in by November 26 (but I've given myself to November 23 to finish it, come hell or highwater, sense or nonesense). This deadline is important because I also need time to write my assignment (another 2,500 words) for the recently concluded Managing People module, as well as prepare for the exam on December 1. Janine's deadline was 'early next week' (i.e., this week). I ended up submittng my thoughts on November 20, which was cutting it pretty close as the final
article went up today.
So without further delay, I present to you my original submission (the one I sent was edited, which she did warn me about). My thoughts on 'Blogalization' and its relevance to the Caribbean:
"The meaning of Blogalization and its relevance to the Caribbean.
Blogalization is a big, clumsy, mouthful of a word. I've been asked to write a few words on the meaning of it, and its relevance to the Caribbean. A few people have likened this word to Globalization. Globalization has different meanings for different people, so I do not like to compare it to Blogalization, although there may be one or two similarities.
I think that Blogalization is something completely different, but what it is exaclty, I don't know. All I can say is that by me writing this and you (hopefully) reading it on a blog somewhere and leaving a comment, or not leaving a comment, we're both taking part in Blogalization. Maybe it's as simple as that? The Internet, and the Web in particular, have allowed us all, or the vast majority of us, to communicate freely, anytime and anywhere.
Each of us can have our own digital soapbox on which we can stand and tell our stories. Some of us tell better stories than others, some of us have no stories to tell, or do not feel comfortable telling stories, yet we are drawn in and read/listen to what the World has to say. I think that Blogalization is just about story telling and making connections. In this day and age, it's easier to do so because of technology. Tomorrow, Blogalization will be replaced by another buzzword, but the principles will remain the same, story telling, communication and interactivity.
As for the Caribbean, we, as a unique and different set of people, have our own stories to tell. Good and bad. But why bother? What makes us think that the World is interested in what the Caribbean has to say? I do not know, but I'd like to think that they are interested and are listening. I'm not an expert on sociology, but I believe humans are social animals, and are curious as well. We feel a need to communicate and to share our experiences with others. We also want to learn about and from others.
But why is this relevant to the Caribbean? Because we have voices and we are active participants in the global economy and suffer and/or benefit from things like Globalization, as well as other forces. There is also the knowledge the rest of the World gains from reading Caribbean blogs/sites. It lets them know that we are here, so tread lightly because what you 'big boys' say and do, has a way of affecting us sooner or later. We are not a lesser-people, we have rights, feelings, thoughts and most importantly, we have our own voice!
But 'Blogalization?' I think it's just a new word. It's a word for something that people have been doing since time immemorial, and that is: People telling stories, people listening and people conversing. The Internet and the Web have just made these things available to everyone and anyone, no matter where you are.
That's my take on it."This entire post (including this last bit) is 1,080+ words, and took me almost two hours to write (including the time I spent on my 'Blogalization' article). Despite that, I still can't find 2,500 decent words for my MICE assignment. :-(
Labels: blogging, Caribbean, life, MBA, World
