I truly do apologise for the recent downtime, it was thoroughly uncharecteristic of my host and came just as I had posted the article on the Association of Bloggers Singapore.

I’ve received some responses from my colleagues in the blogosphere and am throughly pleased that I’m not the only one who believes that such concept could in fact work out positively for bloggers on a whole. The irrational response of simply tearing down the ABS when it’s core idea was solid seemed utterly destructive and not the best way to approach the flawed beginnings of the ABS. I believe with work and an evaluation of the possible uniting effects that ABS could have on the local scene can ultimately provide more positive externalities than negative ones.

One of my beliefs is that bloggers can eventually provide a space to keep persons in power honest. This is a platform to expose corruption, to decry unfair practices, to provide the most democratic solutions to universal problems. With certain caveats. Bloggers cannot keep shooting themselves in the foot by staking out extremist positions and defending them with an scorched earth mentality, i.e. if I go down, I’m taking everyone else with me. This is not the way to establish credibility or provide viable alternatives to Mainstream Media. That is why an overarching body that can provide advice and maybe establish professional standards can and should be considered. It can provide a certain set of journalistic standards that bloggers can adhere to and provide readers with the peace of mind that the articles provided are of the highest standards of journalistic integrity. This is not to be a “media tycoon” style OVERLORD providing one sided information, neither is it to become a “style and grammar Nazi”. The body should provide the standards that any blogger should be expected to adhere to.

Naturally this is the Ideal situation. The reality will necessarily be different and more complicated. But we’re not here to dream little dreams and accomplish tinier deeds. This is the time to think big and start to build up a certain reputation and eventually create the kind of political force that previous generations could only aspire to.

ABS, Association of Bloggers (Singapore), Bloggers, blogging, opinion, Singapore, social media, Technology

Everyone’s who’s anyone’s pretty much weighed in on this situation already and I think the time is ripe for me to stick my toe in the water, given my somewhat outside take on this. The premise of my post will be based on two things, the inability of ABS to articulate its purpose and a critique of the responses to the ABS.

The ABS is, as I see it, throughly elitist. Not in the best way vis-a-vis Harvard and Oxford, but in most foot-shooting way of being perceived as elitist to the detriment of it’s own reputation. The fact of the matter is, how can you expect a group of humanity who has never paid for their activity, or at least paid very low costs for their activities to want to pay a relatively large sum of money for the privilege of joining a grouping that at present provides only very nebulous benefits (though a recent response is that it will no longer be “invitation only” and the fees will be adjusted with feedback). One of the problems from the very outset of the ABS was it’s inability to articulate a purpose for its existance. The purpose of the ABS as listed on its website, whist thoroughly lofty and classically jargon filled, is unable to provide a sense of whatever benefits joining may provide. Will a member be expected to attend sessions intending to provide some from a qualification to maintain membership, to maintain professionalism. An activity that I argue would be PERFECT for bloggers on a whole and sorely needed but probably unfeasible at the moment. If it’s purpose is to simply improve communications, then Facebook, Plurk, Twitter, and all the other communication tools can such a purpose. (See articles by Uniquefrequency and Farinelli for a more cogent analysis of the communications failures of ABS) The fact of the matter is that lowering the barriers to entry for the ABS does not solve what I believe to be it’s fundamental issue. That of providing a suitable cost to benefit mix.

Moving onto my second point, that of the overblown and occasionally irrational response to the ABS. The ABS has lofty goals, goals that should be applauded. But given it’s initial negative reception unfortunately, I cannot rationally believe that the lifespan of this association will continue for long under its current management, the taint is too strong. I do, however believe that the local blogosphere was simply too vehement in its derision of the association. Certain bloggers, have been unyielding in their criticism and unanimous in their disgust. This should not be the case. The ABS’ initial purpose is one that is clearly positive. Why slag it off when it can turn out to be perfectly functional and perfectly viable as a good way to congregate bloggers with certain tweaks. Why tear down something that with collaboration and cooperation will turn out to be a unifying force for local blogitics. I cannot understand this derision, the same derision that was directed at UniqueFrequency’s Social Media Breakfast by a certain blogger previously.

It is the same derision of choosing to assume the worse in someone’s intentions, and taking it where it was clearly not intended. Where people want to educate you, You say I don’t need to be educated, I already know exactly what I’m doing. Where people are engaging in PR, they call it under-table and uncalled for. Everyone has their own take and it is their perogative. But as bloggers, there needs to be much more substantiation provided, which unfortunately ABS was not able to provide. We the people, it would seem has already written ABS off, whether for its PR failings or its leadership shortfalls, whether its goals be beneficial to us or not. Let me draw your attention to some very well written responses by Brian, and Lycan. Examples of well thought out and reasonable responses to the ABS.

The thing is, it would seem that as great as a blogger’s association may be, at this point it does not seem to serve any purpose other than as a vanity project, one with a bad start and a constant need to remove its foot from its mouth. I wish it all the success, but honestly cannot see myself becoming a member of the organisation. Simply because I need to know what I’m signing up for, something a clear manifesto and programme of action could resolve!

ABS, Association of Bloggers (Singapore), blog, blogger, Bloggers, blogging, politics, Singapore, social media, social media breakfast