I’ve been on the phone for over an hour with my ISP and I’m not a happy camper.
So, when I do manage to get online and head over to Buzz Machine, a post catches my attention that doesn’t lift my mood.
There really is such a thing as an “A” list of bloggers.
It is pretty much based on this model.
Some of them have been on the cutting edge of the technology that gives the rest of us an opportunity to try this hobby.
Some are just noisy.
Some are connected and the academic sort.
Some really deserve to be there.
What defines an “A” lister?
I think it is more than just hits.
But hits are probably the #1 criteria because they are measurable.
What else puts someone in this category?
Most often they are pundits or technoligical bloggers from the US.
What else defines an “A” lister?
I think I can safely say after a couple of years, that within the god-blog subdivision, there isn’t an “A” list. And I have said many times that there shouldn’t be one. I don’t doubt for a second we’re heading there, but it will defeat the purpose of this community I think. It’s great to see break out blogs like Martin Roth, Irene Q, The Dullest Blog in the World , or Real Live Preacher. It’s great to see pioneers in the faith category like relapsed catholic, Jordon Cooper, Mark Shea, Christianity Today or Holy Weblog.
It’s great seeing new bloggers find their place.
I hope we don’t start drifting in “A” list terms, because if we do, a lot of bloggers are going to be left out and ignored and whether we are catholic, protestant, orthodox, it isn’t what we are supposed to be about. There are certainly god-blogs trying to get there, whereever this top is, even if they have to put themselves in that position by default.
Buzz Machine (an ‘A’ lister, and major US media type) was asked to provide a starter list for other media types in the US.
The old ‘who is in the rolodex routine.’
So he did.
Another thing I’ve posted about is how far behind religious media is in the US and around the world and I’m not going to beat a dead horse this time out.
But look at his list.
If you assume US media doesn’t need or want to know who might be a blogger to check out in Britian or Europe or Canada, who else isn’t there?
Afterthought: In subtly pointing out there are key groups missing in Buzz Machines suggestions - age, gender, race, country, beliefs etc. those key groups make up the majority of bloggers. ( country may be an exception. I don’t know if stats have been done on that yet)
The key groups aren’t going away, and if US media follows the herd, they won’t be heard. But it’s already been going that direction. So, I’m not pointing out ’special interest groups’, I’m pointing out that even grass root communication movements like weblogs, get caught in the politics of media.
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Of COURSE, there’s an A-list of God-bloggers. You even named some of them, and you’ve even written about the “holy huddle” among us.
Bene,
***I think I can safely say after a couple of years, that within the god-blog subdivision, there isn’t an “A” list. And I have said many times that there shouldn’t be one.***
I agree with your first sentence and completely disagree with the second one. If the purpose of the god-blog subdivision is to stay safely locked into our own ghettos and have no impact on the world through this medium then we are defintely on the right track.
***I hope we don’t start drifting in “A” list terms, because if we do, a lot of bloggers are going to be left out and ignored and whether we are catholic, protestant, orthodox, it isn’t what we are supposed to be about.***
Just because there are “A” list preachers like Billy Graham and John Stott does not mean that the other folks get left out. I would imagine that many other ministers were able to have a larger impact on the world precisely because these preachers helped them gain some much needed exposure.
That is why “A” list bloggers are important. Since blogging isn’t a zero sum game, they don’t take away anyone’s audience. But what they can do is create a readership for the “little guys.” Look at uberblogger Glenn Reynolds. He has brought a considerable amount of attention to blogs that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Imagine if the god-blog community had an individual in a similar position.
I might be wrong but I think the god-bloggers could use a Joseph in the Pharoh’s court.
I’m very glad you jumped in to disagree with me.
First of all, how do we try to define “A” listers?
Hits?
The fact the blogger may be listed in every blog ranking system out there?
The stars they give themselves at a portal?
The topic they are most passionate about?
Joe, you mentioned “A” list preachers.
Is that how we define participants in a medium like blogging?
Preachers? I’m not saying there can’t be unusual and outstanding voices in god-blogs because there are. But preachers or priests? Come on. Since when someone decide blogging would be so hiearchical and patriarchal?
Do we esteem one more highly than another? Is that what god-blogs strive for?
We are making a lot of assumptions here, including me.
We are assuming that new bloggers are going to know where to ’sign up.’
How many faith blogs aren’t signed up anywhere, but could be better read? I can’t tell you, the research hasn’t been done.
Yes, Mike I agree about holy huddles, and as we all keep bringing that issue up, more bloggers reach out and connect with each other, not with assumed “A” listers.
LivingRoom has done more than Instapundit ever will to to bring out underrated bloggers. Were you aware of him? What about Dialog: Breaking the Bubble? The fact I can name exceptions brings hope.
Joe, please remember I say this kindly and with respect. We’ve discussed this before, and I’m glad we’ve had the opportunity and are getting it again.
If I went over to your blog and jumped into a conversation about US politics your readers would chew me up and spit me out.
You are a believer, but internationals don’t have a voice at your blog. It isn’t because you wouldn’t welcome us, it’s because your readers wouldn’t. We are not relevent and as you say, you don’t care what we think.
I’m finding that the blogs with more hits don’t generate much traffic back. I think that is reader behaviour.
Do you see others being mocked on British or Canadian or Australian blogs over politics?
I rarely have. And apologies have been swift.
We tend not to generate flame war heat.
I don’t see younger readers or many women commenting.
Commenters tones don’t not lessen your impact, or do they?
And what about the educational level of a blogger?
Does Mike rate “A” because he is working on a PhD? Does Joshua Claybourn rate “A” because he is working on a law degree?
Do the bloggers at Dr. Warnocks Alliance rate “A”s because they link to each other or are learning to reach past the group?
I understand your election is contentious and important. And I think it is very important for Australians, Brits, Canadians New Zealanders, Europeans and Asians to reach back into the US god-blogs…
But,it’s a very difficult task for us Joe, and increasing so with pundit blogs. Things get quite un-godly, and politics is it’s own holy huddle.
I didn’t bring this up to argue, I’m bringing it up because in Buzz Machine’s list, the ‘leadership’ is skewed.
Blogging isn’t a zero-sum game.
I’d be interested in seeing bloggers come out with their god-blog “A” list. Would I see an all US, all white male, all protestant, mid-thirties, university educated, politically active group?
Would it be protestant, catholic, orthodox, non-political?
It would be great to be wrong, but numbers don’t lie do they? And would these bloggers honestly represent the god-blogosphere? They would to the US media for sure.
That’s where you are going to have a bit of trouble convincing me, but I remain open.:^)
Yes gentlemen, we need Josephs, and Phillips, and Josephines and Phillipas. Blog on!
Yay for the Z list blogs!
Yay right back Ali!!!!
They keep me and many others going more than I care to acknowledge. Blog on!
Bene,
I’m very glad you jumped in to disagree with me.
First of all, how do we try to define “A” listers?
While I’m not sure how accurate my definition would be, I would say that an “A” lister is a person who has a voice and an impact in the “cultural conversation.”
Hits?
No, I don’t think site traffic is sufficient. There are some blogs that have frequent commentors and/or readers who may return dozens of times a day. I may check Instapundit anywhere from 3 – 20 times a day. I suspect most of his readers do the same so the numbers are easily inflated.
The fact the blogger may be listed in every blog ranking system out there?
No, but I think anyone who takes blogging seriously **should** be listed in as many ranking systems as they can find for the simple reason that it help others to find them.
The stars they give themselves at a portal?
Hmm…I wonder who you’re referring to… ; )
The topic they are most passionate about?
Passion helps but it is not required in order to be an “A” lister.
Joe, you mentioned “A” list preachers.
Is that how we define participants in a medium like blogging? Preachers?
No, definitely not. I just used those examples (including an UK pastor for international appeal ) just because most people would be familiar with them as Christians who express their worldview in public forums.
I’m not saying there can’t be unusual and outstanding voices in god-blogs because there are. But preachers or priests? Come on. Since when someone decide blogging would be so hiearchical and patriarchal?
I don’t think it should.
Do we esteem one more highly than another? Is that what god-blogs strive for?
In my opinion, the answers would be “no” and “no.”
We are assuming that new bloggers are going to know where to ’sign up.’
Most won’t know (I didn’t) which is why they need our help and encouragement.
How many faith blogs aren’t signed up anywhere, but could be better read? I can’t tell you, the research hasn’t been done.
That’s another reason a group of “A” list god-bloggers could be useful. “A” listers are like signposts on the blogging pathway. Once you find one, they can point you in many different directions.
LivingRoom has done more than Instapundit ever will to to bring out underrated bloggers. Were you aware of him?
Yes, I am. In fact, I found him through reading this blog. (He was also kind enough to include me in his list of underrated bloggers.) And while I appreciate all he is trying to do, I disagree that he has done more than Reynolds. Not because he hasn’t made a valiant effort, but simply because he doesn’t have the same level of influence. Oddly enough, I first heard about his underrated bloggers post on Instapundit!
If I went over to your blog and jumped into a conversation about US politics your readers would chew me up and spit me out. You are a believer, but internationals don’t have a voice at your blog.
First, I have to begin by disagreeing that internationals don’t have a voice on my blog. I realize that I am often lumped into the “US pundit” category because I write about politics. But of the 15 post currently on my page, only 4 are related to US political topics. True, the Canadian perspective might be as welcomed as my views on church polity would be on a Catholic blog. But if all a god-blogger has to offer is posts on politics then the “god-blogger” designation probably isn’t very accurate for them.
It isn’t because you wouldn’t welcome us, it’s because your readers wouldn’t.
Many of my readers don’t welcome **me** and its **my** blog! The fact is that unless we are grouped in our “holy huddles” with like-minded Christians, we are going to be faced with people who strongly disagree. While I have tried to tone down the vitrol, I also see it as a way of being a witness to Christ’s love. We shouldn’t treat our blogs the way many Christians treat our churches – as invite only, exclusive clubs where dissent isn’t welcome.
We are not relevent and as you say, you don’t care what we think.
In fairness, I must say that I never claimed that what I didn’t care what Canadian think, nor do I think their view on US politics are irrelevant. What I said was it really didn’t matter who Canadians would vote for in our election. Most citizens of the US aren’t all that informed about our government so I doubt that the average Candian is much better.
I’m finding that the blogs with more hits don’t generate much traffic back. I think that is reader behaviour.
I agree. But I also think that a lot depends on how “sticky” the blog being linked to is in terms of keeping the reader’s attention.
Do you see others being mocked on British or Canadian or Australian blogs over politics?
I must confess that I don’t follow the local politics of foreign countries closely enough to have noticed. I realize that it may be perceived as American exceptionalism, but most of their concerns wouldn’t directly affect me.
Commenters tones don’t not lessen your impact, or do they?
I think it depends on how much weight you give to the comments. At times I will jump into my own comments section and other times I just let it run free, not even bothering to read the “flame wars” going on.
And what about the educational level of a blogger? Does Mike rate “A” because he is working on a PhD? Does Joshua Claybourn rate “A” because he is working on a law degree?
Personally, I think education should have very little to do with the status of a blogger. Advanced degrees are certainly noteworthy accomplishments but they do not automatically make someone an expert on a subject, much less an interesting writer. Because of the nature of academia, most people with PhDs have a very narrow field of expertise. I prefer the well-rounded generalists who is open to discussing a broad range of topics.
I think this is one area where god-bloggers could distinguish themselves. As I showed in my non-scientific survey of top-rated bloggers, their credentials impressed the crowds and helped them to gain an audience. GB’ers should focus on hoisting “A” listers up who actually have something to say and something worth hearing, regardless of their credentials or lack thereof.
Do the bloggers at Dr. Warnocks Alliance rate “A”s because they link to each other or are learning to reach past the group?
But,it’s a very difficult task for us Joe, and increasing so with pundit blogs. Things get quite un-godly, and politics is it’s own holy huddle.
Have you ever watched the British parliament on TV? The first time I saw them all grumbling and shouting I was wondering what the heck was going on. At first I thought it was incredibly rude until someone told me that was just a part of their political tradition.
In America, the tradition is to contend fiercely for your views while treating your political party like your favorite sports team. Most of what appears to be hateful behavior is mostly just heat generated from the American way of political argument. Is it the right way? I sure hope not because it is damned silly. But for better or worse that is the “American way.”
I didn’t bring this up to argue, I’m bringing it up because in Buzz Machine’s list, the ‘leadership’ is skewed.
I don’t know where BuzzMachind got most of those name. I certainly wouldn’t consider most of them “A” listers for the sole reason that they have little influence (at least that I’m aware of).
I’d be interested in seeing bloggers come out with their god-blog “A” list. Would I see an all US, all white male, all protestant, mid-thirties, university educated, politically active group?
I would too. Show me yours and I’ll show you mine. ; )
Would it be protestant, catholic, orthodox, non-political?
I think a lot of it would depend on blogging demographics. Are there more Catholic than Protestant bloggers? That sort of thing.
It would be great to be wrong, but numbers don’t lie do they? And would these bloggers honestly represent the god-blogosphere? They would to the US media for sure.
I think you focus on the international aspect a bit too much. For example, I live in Dallas, Texas and a quick search of blogs in this area shows over 500 of them. Yet I don’t read any of them. I do, however, read this blog, which is written by a Canadian. I, like most people, prefer to read blogs that I find interesting. No one is ignoring a blog simply because it is written by someone in Croatia. If they write about issues that are relevant to Christians and/or the world community then they will find an audience.
I think you’ve brought out some great points.
It’s late here, so I’d like to grab some sleep and give your thoughts the attention you deserve in the morning.
LoL - Spurgeon was a nice touch!
*GB’ers should focus on hoisting “A” listers up who actually have something to say and something worth hearing, regardless of their credentials or lack thereof.*
I agree, I think most would agree, but I don’t know that we are or will - you see the glass half full, I see it half empty.
Yeah, the British Parliament gets rowdy.
Canadians parliamentarians have called each other outside.
But I don’t know that is a good comparison.
American politics are different, but to excuse bloggers or their readers for mockery, slander, lies, and verbal abuse under ‘free speech’ or the difference in political discourse, doesn’t make sense. It’s a question of social and spiritual maturity, not how we conduct ourselves politically.
LoL. I honestly don’t have an “A” list. I still haven’t figured out what defines one in blogging.
I agree hits aren’t it, you bring up some good points to factor in.
If my information is correct you’ll be serving your country in Iraq soon.
Thank you for meeting me half way Joe, I’ve wanted to have a discussion with you for quite awhile. I hope you’ll be able to continue blogging, you are a good writer, and a patriot and gentleman with all the good those words hold. Blog on!