Blogging involves an individual who creating questions for discussion and or beginning commentary. Who would have ever thought blogging would have reached a level where people blog like there lives depended on it. I read an article called “Blogging Like The World Depended On It: Transforming social networking into social change”. http://www.newsweek.com/id/163022. I think the title of this article speaks for its self. A website, change.org a two year old online-community website, is completely dedicated to addressing all of the world’s latest problems. The managing editor of this website is envisioning this site as place where it can be a “one-stop shop” for the opportunity to discuss news on the any given topics, concerns, and tools for taking action. He stated that “We use blogging to create communities around issues and connect people to actions”. This website has had different involved members who have created communities that have touched lives through the development of non-profit organizations, and raising money for different causes. Tom Watson, the author of the book “Cause Wired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World" states that “there is definitely a role for this (blogging) in the world of social entrepreneurship”.
This article takes me back to the article that I had to read for class called “Virtual Community: Why People Hang Out Online”. People hang out online for reasons such as information exchange, and social support, which is exactly what the article the above talks about. There is constant exchanging of news and information that is accessible to everyone which is necessary in the sustainability of virtual community. The social support is another important theme of that article. The non-profit organizations that were formed on change.org are catering to those who have issues and need support. The world wide support is attracting to people to the blogging community; expanding the virtual interactive population.
I believe that this article is an awesome example of virtual communities because of it being that place where social change is happening. Change.org is that website that exudes all the components of a virtual community. People blog for the enjoyment because the blogger who is involved in this community knows that a life may be touched, and someone’s life could depend on it. This also shows the future of social networking, it’s no longer for just entertainment purposes, but also for expanding on, and meeting the needs of others.
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This reminded me of the example we discussed in class about the group that did not want that show to end. They formed a group, collaborated on ideas, and made change happen by sending peanuts to the station. It all began because the people in this community had a common dissatisfaction with something. Like you say Candace, some people are completely reliant on blogging and other types of similar behavior and they sometimes seek change. Change is much more likely to occur with greater numbers.
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