What kind of effect do you think that blogs have on politics?

As someone who recently started a blog where I post some political commentary myself, (Josh the Aspie's Blog) I've started to wonder what effect the blogosphere has on politics in general.

Does anyone have any stories about blogs that have affected politics?

Do they have no effect at all? What?

 

In general, they promote unsubstantiated information from dubious sources as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

In essence, blogs often skew reality.

 

A lot like the mainstream media do.

 

Next to none. Like 95% of people don't even read blogs - there was a poll last week about this. And those that do are probably already aligned one way or another.

 

That's interesting, because on a few news programs recently, some journalists have said that blogs are becoming more and more important as they tend to pounce on and find facts much quicker than the general media.

 

That's not really related though. No one reads the blogs. I'm talking normal people. The media might, other bloggers might, but joe schmoe at mcdonalds isn't.

 

exactly...in reality what is heard by "media blogs" is simply extremists (either left or right) catering to the people that already worship them...furthermore, reading a blog is going to have absolutely no impact on how they vote.

 

So what about a person's individual blog. Do you think it might have an influence on their extended circle of family and friends? What about industry specific blogs that professionals read to get tips and tricks, and any political opinions expressed on those?

 

I think the "Sonic" commercial says it best. You know the one where the guy is drinking a shake at sonic and says "I'm gonna blog about this so his readers will know how good it is" and his wife says "you mean your mom" and he says "well, my reader" - true true true.

 

I think that sums it up...blogging is so "old school" anyway...

 

Blogging is old school?

 

yes...it was a joke...<-sarcasm....

 

The problem is, with today's world, it's rather hard to figure out what the heck 'old school' even is any more.

 

on the internet, old school is anything more than an hour old

 

old school is also in again...

Old school

 

Sure. Little Green Footballs

They broke a huge story about how CBS tried to pawn off their "fake but accurate" report about Bush's service which ultimately ended up being called "Rathergage" with Dan Rather being made a complete fool and eventually ending his career.

They also covered/broke a number of stories regarding fake photography during the Israel/hezbollah war, putting a cramp in hezbollah's propaganda efforts and exposing some dubious/clearly biased reporting.

Both had effects. The fauxtography scandals had effects as well and were the subject of intense scrutiny and coverage here.

 

forgot about those...come to think of it, it seems that conservative blogs always call out the libs, but you don't hear of any lib blogs calling out the conservs, at least not with facts to back up their claims.

 

None what so ever.

 

So if a blog poster does research, and posts the truth, it may have an impact upon politics, but only if it uncovers a scandal?

 

That is probably true.

The reason is because if it is not scandalous, what large media outlet would pick it up and carry it?