Blogistan: Are You Part of the Internet Underbelly?

BLOGISTAN
Babba Zee
Outraged Spleen of Zion



"Those who counsel avoidance of blogs are no different from those who advise against frequenting dark, crime-ridden neighborhoods. There may be bargains to be had in such locales, maybe even a good library or pizzeria. But they are scuzzy places to spend time in."
--Rabbi Avi Shafran, Blogistan


Are you a member of the easiest cult in the world to join? Are you part of the Internet's underbelly?

One of the signs of a cult is the constant search for enemies: someone or something to rally the members of the cult against; something or someone on which to concentrate their energies.

Some blogs--particularly those that concentrate on conspiracy theories--appear based on the premise of finding a dark enemy for their members to combat.

Outraged Spleen of Zion reprints Blogistan, an informative piece by Rabbi Avi Shafran on the darker side of the Internet. It raises some interesting points.

No one knows exactly why the Internet appears to bring out the worst in people, but there is little doubt that it often does. And the cloak of anonymity seems to unleash truly dark, ugly alter egos.

Although the post isn't very complimentary of the Blogosphere in general, many of the points it raises are spot-on.

Perhaps even more disturbing is the apparent gullibility of so many visitors to those blogs, who, from their own postings, seem ready to swallow any accusation or character assassination, as long as the charges are sufficiently salacious or forcefully asserted. Some of the many adulatory comments posted on offensive blogs may have been planted by the blogerrai-meisters themselves, but many certainly seem to be from other citizens anxious to join in the fun.

The post is easy to read and breaks down the problems of the Blogosphere into easily-digested chunks.

Are the blogs you visit part of Blogistan?

Visit, read and decide for yourself.

ALSO at DBKP.com:
Blogistan: Are you part of the Underbelly of the Internet?

by Mondoreb
image: Outraged Spleen of Zion
Source: Blogistan