Why?

Like personal diaries, blogs are opinionative and expressive. However, unlike diaries, they are situated in the public arena. This crossing over of private and public creates an ideal breeding ground for ideas to grow, and conversations to take place between individuals (bloggers).

There are many reasons why this takes place. Some bloggers ask questions in their posts, which are then answered and discussed by others. Some bloggers voice opinions in their posts, which are then agreed or disagreed with by others. And other conversations simply ignite as a result of shared interests, related topics, researching etc.

Significance of a Post

In cyberspace, each blog post has the same significance in a material sense on the website. But its greater significance or popularity is defined by the extent of discussion and linking which takes place as a result. The post only exists at one place on the internet, but the number of comments and links which result gives a greater indication of its ‘significance’. This could be compared with broadcast media: the number of people who watch a show determines its popularity. The difference however, is in the way in which popularity grows. (*See ‘chain reaction’)

What else is interesting is that the significance of a post, or how much it will grow or swell, is completely undetermined when it is first published. This all comes down to the process of reaction and response.