My immediate goal when I started a blog about Blogroll Amnesty Day was simply to give a voice to some of the less powerful blogs that were de-linked or had never been linked. When I first did a Google search to find out what exactly B.A.D. was, the results page yielded a lot of posts with titles such as “Blogroll Amnesty Day: a great idea!” Because of those big blogs already being regarded as more “authoritative” in the various ways that is measured statistically, the point of view of those blogs had a better chance of being heard. This reminded me of the whole big money mainstream media situation, and I wanted to do what little I could to counter that trend. So, the simple, immediate goal was to get the other side of the story actually showing up via Google searches.
But what I’d really love to do is to create something positive. I was thinking that we need to create something that people can get hooked into, that will allow them to be part of a wider network, but still keep their independence. Also, I have long been disappointed that, for a large number of candidates and elected officials, posting (or having a staff member post) one one widely read Democratic political blog is what constitutes their outreach to the netroots. And I’ve wanted to find a way to start encouraging them to crosspost beyond that one blog-but then, where do we ask them to post? And if they pick one group blog over another, will that lead to additional hard feelings?
But if there were a central place, that was not “owned” by any one blogger or group, maybe that would take one obstacle out of the way.
If you’re interested in reading more, click the graphic below
Update: if you’d like me to add your blog to the blogroll there, just say the word. And if you’d like to be added as a contributor, contact me at ohiorenee(at)gmail.com. I want this to be inclusive and mutually beneficial. A community, rather than a business. But definitely *not* about attacking other blogs/bloggers.
I tossed together that banner myself just to have something to show. But, if there really is a wider interest in this sort of thing, I can ask my husband Demetrius, who has done some grassroots graphics in the past, to put together a logo/banner.
Thank you!!!
Definately an idea worth exploring. But I have to admit that I kindof enjoy those other blogs that bash other blogs. lol They are like the community police at times, other times the arguments do get a little too heated.
Companionship without competition, can we do it?
Thank you Renee. I admire your efforts and hope this will inspire a number of people to join with you in dignity.
It might be possible to have something like the froggy bottom cafe open where pols and celebs could link to their opus? How would that work on other sites? Maybe an ad? How much is an ad for a week?
I’ve never actually checked out the Froggy Bottom Cafe, so I’m a little hazy on the concept.
Been jotting down thoughts as they occur to me throughout the day while I was at work. This project I’ve been working on ends tomorrow, and as far as I know I have the rest of the week off. Kind of “feast or famine” with the work situation–I have to work when the work is there, even, as in the other day, on the weekend.
One thing I want to see is a basic willinghess to help build up all of us in terms of visibility and links. No “zero sum” game, or big blog/little blog mentality. If someone signs on to be part of this, they put a link on their own blog (I started pestering Demetrius about coming up with a real logo). And the Independent Bloggers’ Alliance would, of course, link to all of the participating blogs as well.
More thoughts as my brain comes up with them…
open and close regularly on Boo. A little different than just an open thread. A link in an open thread might just get lost in the shuffle. If there were ongoing threads specific to an open forum for candidates, it might work.