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01/19/2003 Entry: "Are blogs too responsive?"
One of the things that's most prized in modern media is the speed with which they can respond to events. The BBC has a channel here which trails itself "the news as it happens. The new portal HourEleven.com (thanks to Bene Diction for the link) has the motto, "best commentary – fast". Blogs are often praised for their immediacy. Progress, yes?I would have given an unequivocal "yes" until last night, never having given it much thought. But I've been reading a fascinating book, Why do Buses Come in Threes? The hidden mathematics of everyday life by Rob Eastway and Jeremy Wyndham and it has given me a fresh perspective. In the chapter on "feedback loops", which deals with such things as shower controllers, rabbit populations, and fist-fights, I found this:
One of the most worrying examples of an over-reactive system has been the media. There was a time not long ago when a news story took several days to develop. There was less demand for immediate analysis, and therefore the reporters were able to digest a story before giving their opinions. Now an analysis of a story and the reaction from all the parties involved is almost instantaneous ... Society has created, and is now the victim of, a system which is out of control. Any wise shower operator knows the solution to this. You get to the right answer sooner if there is a pause for reflection before turning the tap.Why do Buses Come in threes? London 1999 p135
Replies:
I don't believe speed is always the 'best' (that is an economic-competitive model)....it has proven to be the cause of many retractions!
I think much of the work up at the Hour Eleven portal has been well worked, researched, and had had time lovingly applied to it. We shall see.
Having been in the 'field' I know that the expectations of working in 'fast media' are too often foolish and harmful. Life and events unfold at their own pace, and there is little point in giving information when there is little to give. One of the biggest disciplines we face in our world as individuals is wise filtering of information. Blog on!
Posted by Bene Diction @ 01/19/2003 03:58 PM CST
