DeafRead has human editors, and they tend to be selective in the choosing of blogs which appear on their site. For instance, all of Ridor’s posts seem to be automatically posted (regardless of content), while several posts from DeafDC have been omitted. I do not really know the reason behind this, except that the DeafRead editors have often stated that they select posts based on content: http://www.deafread.com/blog/?p=9.

Robert L. Mason (RLM)

I especially thought your point about citizen journalism was salient; v/blogs are gaining ground as valid voices in the shaping of our society, and both organizations and traditional media outlets can no longer afford to ignore them.

Again, great post.

I appreciate that you view deaf blogs as a tool of advocacy but that’s a narrower discussion than mine. I was thinking in terms of information, which could lead to action, of which advocacy is just one possibility.

I don’t act upon most of the information I get from newspapers and deaf blogs. Often I just like knowing. When I do act upon information, it isn’t necessarily advocacy. Right now, whatever information I can find on the Winter Deaflympics (now underway) probably will be material for a brief chat with a friend.

The Gallaudet protest is another easy example to use. Many of us read up because we wanted news and perspectives. And here I go back to my title, “Why We Need Deaf Blogs,” and to my last two paragraphs.

1.) Nice post there, Lockhart.

2.) Yeah, where’s Moore’s post????

I am totally agree with you about the necessity of doing SOMETHING with real action and enuff with ponifications and fluffs of hot air balloons on our rear sides.

I somewhat have a mixed feelings about the mulitiledes of deaf blogs and vlogs which remind me much of similarility to the 200+ cable television channels. Who will watch every television channels? At least, deaf readers and bloggers and vloggers have choices to read their preference blogs/vlogs. I have several favorite deaf blogs and vlogs. I will be much willing to explore the deaf blogsphere whether anything worthy to read. :)

Robert L. Mason (RLM)

This isn’t related to my blog but funny enough, it was the first thing mentioned to me as my cousin was looking over my draft. Didn’t occur to me, maybe because I’ve never looked at deaf clubs as an epicenter for information-sharing and advocacy. But then again, I wasn’t around in the heydays of the deaf club.

What I think is that there’s this natural desire to stay in the know. Blogs fulfill this for us (at least, me), but it doesn’t necessarily stand in for deaf gatherings.