John Pospisil

I was intrigued to read a number of suggested manifestos for the blogosphere posted on Jaffe Juice.

My dictionary gives the following definition of manifesto:

 

/manuh’festoh/ noun, plural manifestos, manifestoes. 

a public declaration, as of a sovereign or government, or of any person or body of persons taking important action, making known intentions, objects, motives, etc.; a proclamation. 

 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for manifestos, and yes, I know these guys are approaching blogging from a marketing perspective. However, I wonder whether by trying to create a manifesto, and in effect setting an agenda, that they’re actually missing the point of what blogging is about. 

There are so many reasons why people blog, and I’m not sure that a manifesto can capture the spirit or essence of all these reasons, or even a significant number of them.

Blogging works because it’s authentic. When you’re reading a blog you’re having a direct relationship (or so it seems) with the author of the blog. Sure there’s a level of mediation, as there is with all media, but it’s a much more personal experience. In fact, it reminds me of the same personal experience that you can have when listening to a good radio announcer.

I fear that trying to tie blogging to a manifesto, or to an agenda, will start to erode that all important authenticity. I don’t think that anyone wants to see the blogosphere turn into just another corporate tool for reaching stakeholders. 

In any case, the blogosphere is too unruly to be pinned down by a manifesto, no matter how well meaning its writers.