The New York Times suggests that the ceaseless work required to stay afloat led, at least partly, to the recent death of two "prolific" bloggers. This, however, leads to the larger question: does the value of a non-stop internet economy outweigh its risks? We can all agree that blogs have become an integral part of how we consume news.
Blogging's viral nature, as well as the chance to engage without a major-up front investment, has enabled the "little guy" in a way never before possible.
Take the recent success of a covert video by an animal rights activist who posed as a slaughterhouse worker for six weeks. The undercover vegan citizen journalist released the video, which went viral within hours on the blogosphere, reports the New York Times. Consequently the slaughterhouse was closed, the United States Congress held hearings, and the Agriculture Department recalled 65 million kilograms of meat, the largest recall in American history.
"to be sure, there is no official diagnosis of death by blogging." But they do hit on a nasty side effect of the ceaselessness that has made bloggers a success; the around-the-clock demands of the internet forces bloggers work extreme hours in order to keep up. The same concerns of excessive overtime hours are weighing on newspaper journalists, who are being encouraged to blog on top of producing articles. It also stands to detract from quality journalism; if journalists have to compete in the same "pay-per-click economy" in which bloggers exist, quality inevitably slides. With these two opposing pulls on journalists' time, it is hardly surprising that newspaper blogs are not yet perfectly oiled machines,
So does blogging need regulation? Healthwise, perhaps the answer is yes. But that would go against the essence of blogging, which owes its popularity and its relevance to its 24/7 engagement. Even the stress-level issue is up for grabs.
mine: i feel that blogging is a way to show the world what interests you, even if no one is looking, its a place to vent and a place to debate, but addicts are risking health due to pressures to blog 24/7. All day bloggers - go watch a movie or play in the park every now and then! Personally i feel there is a psychological issue with blogging.. when no one reads your posts, sometimes it is annoying, and some people could take it the wrong way and become really upset. Also, blogs can be used to say aweful things which can impede on the health of both the blogger and the reader.
what are your views on the health risks of blogging?
over. No more exams; no more essays! Congratulations all of you! We hope you enjoyed The Psychology of Cyberspace......it's been a pleasure teaching you on this (and other) modules and we wish you all the best in your future careers, whether that be more study or the real world (work - ugh).
