HILARIOUS but largely true

consumer frustration, crap, idiotic, parody, Technology, the onion

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