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!

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It is one thing to vigorously defend what you believe. It is quite another to say something completely and utterly wrong and still defend it to the last fibre of your being. I don’t care how polite you are, when you’re wrong, ADMIT it. Admit it like the man that you probably are.

Don’t say, you were not clear, and you did not put the link in a prominent place, and all those lies. If you want to write a credible article, make sure you can back yourself up, cite your sources, and above all be able to place an accurate source to your allegations. Acting like you are superior to everyone else is elitist, a word you seem to abhor, you think “I’m the journalist, so they can have their opinions. It doesn’t matter coz’ I’m the only one who can be right”. No, if you’re a journalist you’ll have integrity. The integrity to admit you were wrong, to correct yourself when proven wrong, and maybe even show up to those events that you claim to have a knowledge of.

It is also a sign of a weak mind, when one cannot accept recommendations of behavior. Rather, he would slag off the person for choosing to request a certain course of action. Never mind that this was done politely, or whatever, as long as it is an instruction, you must swear at him. How immature. How juvenile. I actually feel elitist over you. I feel better than you and I think most bloggers would say the same.

I refuse to provide a link to the website that has made me write this article. I will however provide a link to the place that the false journalist has tried to slag off. My friends in Singapore who blog, please visit http://socialmediabreakfast.sg/. An incredible event organised every so often to try and get members of the blogosphere together. This is a decidedly egalitarian event, for anyone and everyone who blogs to socialise and meet new bloggers, share ideas, grow their social circle and ultimately have fun. There will not be any pressure to put ads on your blog, or anything. This is for bloggers by bloggers.

I personally hate the damn preoccupation with the word elitist. Damn it, what’s wrong with being Elite. With being proud of being accomplished or having achieved something. I think if you’ve gotten somewhere in your life through hard work and toil, if you are smart and can’t help being smart, you should in fact be proud of it. I think a worse condition to be in is prejudiced. It is wrong to believe you’re superior because of your better “values”, or “conservativism” or “liberalism” or whatever it is.

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