It feels like I go to a lot of conferences, although its truly only 3 or 4 per year. When the conference is learning related, I usually find myself talking about blogging, whether it's in an informal meeting or an official session. What surprises me at these conferences is that so many folks still treat blogging as a "new" technology. (Wikis, by the way, get the same reaction.)
Blogging isn't new. I've been blogging for at least 5 years now and I was, in my opinion, a late adopter. Companies have blogs. There are personal blogs. There is a blog for any topic you can think of. Bloggers are no longer the techies that walk around your business casual conference in t-shirts, jeans, and long hair. Bloggers are anyone and everyone.
Blogging is mainstream.
To prove this point, the International Olympic Committee has approved blogging by athletes for the Beijing games. Apparently, so many athletes were already blogging from both the Turin Winter Games and the Athens Summer Games that it was easier just to cede control. But not all control - athletes can now officially blog, but there are rules:
"It is required that, when accredited persons at the
games post any Olympic content, it be confined solely to their own
personal Olympic-related experience," said an IOC statement.
Posting confidential information about other people is also outlawed.
"The IOC considers blogging... as a legitimate form of
personal expression and not a form of journalism," the Olympic
authority said.
"Blogs should be dignified and in good taste."
The IOC guidelines follow concern that the games could
become highly politicised, with China's human rights record, its
treatment of dissidents and links with Sudan becoming major issues.
They're taking a chance, trusting that people won't blog little political statements, but I do appreciate that they're opening up the floor. I disagree that blogging isn't a form of journalism (and I'm sure my wine blogger friends would concur), but it's a start.
Now, if I can just figure out how to use my blogging credentials to get into the Democratic National Convention ...
