'Links are like roots, tendrils,
reaching out between fragments'
How?
Firstly, links are like tree roots because they stretch out from the initial
source (i.e. the tree). Without the roots, the tree is still there, but it
does not stand up – without links, the blog does not get accessed regularly.
Also, the greater the roots are, and the further they stretch, the better
the tree will grow – the popularity of a blog will also depend greatly on
how densely it is interlinked, and how far these links stretch.
The other key idea here is that the roots of a tree are wound together,
crossed over each other, and more or less densely linked. These links
intersect and cross over frequently, and it is sometimes hard to see or
find the initial source (tracing roots or tendrils back). Blog
conversations which use links are a good example of this, as it can be
difficult to trace the conversation back to its initial source.
Differences
Of course, this tree root analogy is not perfect in every way, and it is
important to analyse these differences: Links between blogs go further
than simply reaching out like tree roots. Their purpose is to connect one
source with another, and this takes place substantially across all
different parts of the internet. A visual image of how links function
on the internet would be one that is impossible to create.
'Links create a context for bits and pieces that
at first glance may seem to be unconnected fragments.'
What does this mean?
There are countless things on the internet which are somehow connected or
related to one another. Essentially, an internet link is a convenient
‘physical’ connection between these fragments, which allows users to
jump between various websites, while making informed decisions about
how and why they are doing so.
Two separate blogs for instance may seem unconnected unless studied closely.
When a blog author decides to make a link between the two, he/she will most
often provide a description or reason for the link, highlighting how/why/where
the two fragments intersect.
This is more or less the process of contextualising a relationship between
two fragments. The link creates a context for these two pieces to share,
providing a useful and convenient bridge to a related website/blog. This
can act as a useful aid in research, information gathering, or any other purpose.
Who controls context and meaning?
Links not only provide a context for the connection between fragments,
they can also manipulate the context in which certain blogs are viewed.
A blog only exists in one place on the internet, but it (or specific posts)
may be described, analysed and/or linked to by many other websites and blogs.
These can then have a significant effect on how the blog or post is viewed by
visitors (i.e. what context it is placed in).
This raises the question of whether the author of a blog truly has editorial
control. Of course, in a material sense, they can control the content which
is displayed on their own blog. However, because of this linking and fragment
connection, the context (and therefore meaning) of a blog or post can also be
controlled somewhat by outside sources (i.e. comments from other blogs, websites,
and individuals).
In other words, the immediate context which surrounds a person’s blog has some
effect on what meaning is derived from their own posts. This may be related to
serious opinionative debates, or simply may be how a blog is observed in terms
of what information it might give.
The context of a blog can therefore also be influenced by the sources it links
to (i.e. which blogs/websites it displays on the blogroll, or links to from
within posts.) This may give visitors an idea of the interests, influences
and/or related topics of the blog, hence placing it in a more defined context.