I was recently discussing the How Do You Connect blog with a coworker. We were sharing criticisms of each other’s posts, less about topics and content, but more on general formatting and structure. The conversation reached the conclusion that since so many different people contribute to this blog, it might be helpful to create a structure and formatting guide so that all the posts are similar and fit a certain, agreed upon, model.
Although I agreed with the idea at the time, I recently watched this presentation about the future of social media, which presents an alternative view. It presents the notion that the power and intelligence of the Internet comes from the collection of alternative and differing views. The contributions of so many different minds and so many different styles gives the Internet it’s vast array of knowledge and insights in many topics. But the downfall and weakness of this massive giant is the forecast that those who spend lots of time on the Internet who begin to recognize and follow the trends of linking to other content or formatting in ways that other bloggers are formatting, are actually becoming more similar to other users rather than remaining different. It suggests that over time more and more users will fall into these trends and remove the vast differences that make the Internet strong in its diversity.
Back to my original topic, while a consistent format may bring ease to readers of this blog, it does not harbor the acceptance of difference or allow for individual creative expression for which blogs are intended. Check out the video:
I was that coworker, just so my response doesn’t look out of left field.
I don’t think that formatting guidelines for blog post titles inhibits creativity. Nor do I think guidelines for when to block quote text stifles creativity. I’d venture that 100% of the time when authors on this blog quote another source that no thought is given to how text is quoted — that is, how it appears. If there’s reason behind quoting text a certain way by all means I encourage that sort of display. But if everything is equal — and I believe it is — there are sound reasons why block quoting text is a good idea. If someone is neutral about quoting text why not opt for the way that makes the text easiest for the reader to consume?
And perhaps I wasn’t clear during our conversation but I didn’t mean to be arguing that our posts should all be similar. Of course the fact that this blog is a company blog about using marketing to build relationships suggests a certain uniformity in the content of the blog posts. Is that a problem? I don’t think so. In fact, I think it makes this blog stronger.
As anyone who’s taken in a bad art film knows, a lack of guiding principles does not necessarily mean a fountain of worthwhile creativity and self expression.
The other day — maybe it was today, but I think it was yesterday — I was reading the Op-Ed section of the New York Times. On one page with a column by Mitt Romney. On the other, a column by Maureen Dowd. Both columns were written in complete sentences, which began with capital letters and ended, for the most part, with periods. Both writers followed the rules of English grammar. Both columns were presented with clean headlines written in typeface larger than the column text. All of these formal features! No where was it evident that any of these features got in the way of either author making his or her point, and few authors with such radically different ideologies rarely occupy the same page, but there they were. Point being: Whatever style guide the NYTs follows did not in the least inhibit the presentation of differing viewpoints. Maybe they restricted creative expression. Maybe Romney would have rather made his point about not bailing out the auto industry through interpretive dance. But the NYT is not the proper forum for that. Likewise a blog poses similar formal restrictions and what appears on a blog is going to be tailored to the medium. The blogging medium itself disallows for certain forms of creative expression. Do guidelines further restrict that? Maybe. Probably. But I wasn’t meaning to argue that we should stomp out creativity. Only that, when lacking any creative motive, formal elements of blog posts might best subject to a series of guidelines.
I’m exhausted. Apologies if this is coming across harshly, Riley. I may also be missing your point. It could very well be that I’m arguing with myself here.