« Hillary Clinton's Blog Dilemma: Are the Grassroots Burning? | Main | BLOGGING UP: News Roundup--01/26/06 »

Who are Bloggers? Who Do Bloggers Represent?

UPDATED: It is normal now, when a big news story breaks, that anchors will "go to the blogs," inviting bloggers on-air for comment, or taking some sort of "pulse of the blogs." In some ways, thus, blogs have taken the place of the "man-on-the-street-reacting-to-news-story" interview typically employed by television journalism. But what do we know about who blogs? Are bloggers the "people"?

This is a complicated question but one that many politicians and journalists are asking.

I will discuss the subject at length in my book, but see my short essay, ("Are Bloggers 'The People'?") in the "DOCUMENTS" section of the blog (left sidebar).

Main points and tendencies (not universalities) of the blogger profile:

1. Bloggers are not a statistical, representative, scientific cross-section of America--or the world. (Note: So it is wrong for journalists to say "let's go to the blog to hear what the people are saying." Rather go to the blogs to hear what bloggers are saying--but that might be pretty important.

2. Active "A-list" political bloggers--or at least those regularly ranked highest by existing "influence" and "popularity" metrics--in America tend to be male, higher income, higher educated. Non A-list bloggers tend to be much more diverse.

3. At the same time, a huge surge of blogging is occurring in young people, especially young women.

4. Political bloggers do fit the category of "influentials" who may very well affect other people's opinions on issues of the day.

5. Active Political bloggers tend to also be political activists--and potential voters and money-donors.

Update 1: In answer to Rebecca Blood--who, by the way, wrote of the first and one of the best books on blogging--below:

Rebecca: See my longer post ("Are Bloggers 'The People'?") on this in "Documents" section--what I think about "blacks and blogging" probably applies to women as well. We are in a flux period. Among the huge cohort of "MySpace" young bloggers I would bet females do dominate. In fact, in mass comm schools like mine, there are more females than males, as much as a 70-30 split. Among political bloggers, I think males dominate in raw numbers, and in terms of the who-is-on-top lists. That said, blogging is so young that we have no idea how each subgenre will develop, demographically or psychograhically. One thing I do hear from my female students is that the name-calling, profane trolls and personal attacks that are so much a part of political blogging turns them off. (Deborah Tannen might have something to say about that!). But...some of the toughest cookies of the bloglands out there are females: BitchPhd, Pamela (AtlasShrugged), Sister Toldjah, and so on. I agree completely that the present should not guide the past: blogging is about being out the box, and nobody should feel boxed out of blogging.

Update 2: To Elisa Camahort: Yes, if you have looked at the longer document on blogs as "the people" you will see that I completely agree that our existing measuring scales pose many problems. One for me is that quantity is not quality: there are some amazing blogs out there, that, as far as I can tell, have no audience.

Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 09:38PM by Registered Commenterdavid.d.perlmutter in , | Comments89 Comments

Reader Comments (89)

I stand behind the idea that blogging belongs to the tech-optimist. Blogging is in fact an emerging technology. It caters to certain communities and those who feel they have something to talk about! Many of my friends blog; some as a journal to share with others and others to discuss relative and new topics. A few years ago, some of my friends were fired from their job for expressing their opinion, via their personal blogs about the company they worked for. Since then, I have questioned the significance of blogging and rarely do so. Blogging, in my opinion, was first publicized by tech-enthusiast and will be a hype of its' community until it becomes a more central service and can prove its worthiness to the general public.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterDRars3n
I agree with drewchoj123 in that I have no idea who bloggers are and what they represent. Personally, I just think "bloggers" are people who enjoy getting on the interenet and debating various topics and their beliefs through blogs. It's just like a debate class but you have the privilegde of not being confined to just the few people you might have in a classroom but a vast, diverse network of internet users. I don't think bloggers necessarily represent any certain thing. I think each blogger represents themself. We each incorporate our own beliefs and views which makes every blogger individual and without that, blogs would no longer be.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterkd4
Bloggers have certain anonymity. All we know about a blog is that the person who posted it had an interest in that particular subject, which doesn’t really say much as to the status of their social standings. The current profile results of a political blogger are those which have been seen pre-blog era, of in-person results of political activists.

However, I hardly think that blogs represent the American public seeing as how most people use them as a form of an online diary. If anything most kids use them on myspace.com as a delayed form of the ever popular instant messaging system. The kids are lying about their age, location, possibly their sex, to legally make themselves 18 to be able to use the services of myspace.com. So how can one judge the demographics? By basing them off of lies? In that case how can one truly say what or who blogging/bloggers represent?
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterBaseball22
I strongly agree with many of the above views that blog demographics are unreliable and hard to trust. The only way to trace who posted the message is by tracing the origin of an IP address. The problem is even if you isolate the blog to a particular computer, how do you know who posted it? It could be a family of eight people with shared access to the computer or a computer in a public or university library. Even if the blogger posts demographic information there is no way to verify it. Although I don't have any personal experience with blogs, the technology seems to be dangerous if used improperly. If someone chooses to "vent" on the internet and post things they later wish to remove its not that easy. Everything on the internet is permanently placed in a cache which is saved and is always accessible. I'm sure everyone has seen cached listed under a search result on yahoo or other search engines. The consequences of posting a blog make it even more likely that a person would choose not to disclose there true identity. Some advocates might question whether or not a blog can truly be dangerous must consider the source of a blog. Terrorists and several other people are constantly surfing sites on a daily basis. I have personal knowledge of a member of the armed forces who posted a blog that resulted in the release of confidential military information over the internet. Even if some things are posted in the heat of the moment, there are huge consequences to posting things in a blog. The military has even begun to implement classes to educate soldiers about the possible harm of them posting any information in blogs. Even a location and small description of your surroundings, can be paired with other peoples blogs and be potentially dangerous. I guess my question or concern is where do you draw the line to blogging and how can any of the information obtained for one be used to benefit society?
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterSFC_Rambo
It seems to me that blogs are part of the reason that young Americans are shifting to a more independent view on politics. I believe that blogs are allowing people to see opposing sides of issues more clearly because the audience has no idea who the blogger is. They aren’t being led blindly by some well-spoken politician who represents their political party. They are seeing the issues from many perspectives and allowing themselves to combine there own ideas with those of others or even create new ideas. Blogs are allowing people to come out of their shells and speak their minds with the shelter of anonymity. They don’t have to worry about the scorn of society, and they can just sit back at their computer and speak their mind to the world.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenternewatthis
When I think of blogs I think about the Myspace website and the live journals a lot of my friends have, and update regularly. I have never really considered myself a blogger, mainly because I do not participate in writing my opinions or what all I did a certain day for all net surfers to read. However, as I am writing this I begin to think that whenever I comment on a friend’s Facebook wall I am stating facts and expressing my opinion, I might as well refer to myself as one. I can honestly say bloggers, aware of it or not, come in all shapes and form. Be it for a political reason, opinion based or even just to state some facts more and more people are entering the blogger world. Bloggers represent all walks of life stretching as far as teenage kids expressing themselves on live journals to politician’s opinions on the upcoming elections. No matter who the real blogger is behind the words they type, they are obviously people who take time to write something they want to be expressed to others and eventually find others who share their opinions too.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterobliviousblogger
I think that blogging has become a part of the mass media world today in large part to websites that promote it such as facebook.com and myspace.com. I feel that these two websites will increase the use of blogging by elder men and women as well as the “non-typical” blogger, who is stated as being a middle-class white male. I believe this to be true for the simple reason that centers and buildings around the community are making large leaps and bounds to allow the public to use the Internet.
Even if there were not centers that gave free access to the public to use the Internet, they would still find out about it through word of mouth and; that might be enough to cause to interest to some people to check it out. Lets not forget that before blogging and those types of media, the people who now blog constantly used to blog verbally instead of electronically.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterDOCTORDEATH
Bloggers are people who post stories or information online for people to read. Bloggers use the internet instead of communicating vocally or through books and other forms of media. Bloggers are sometimes news reporters, or people debating certain things. Many bloggers are just people who enjoy getting their voice heard without people knowing who they are. People feel they can say whatever they want through blogs especially since you can put a fake alias instead of your name. Bloggers represent people with opinions who use the internet to relay their messages to others. The bloggers I’m most familiar with are the ones on my space. These bloggers are mostly 13 year old girls talking about how cool they are and how they are into “cool” music and trends. These bloggers are a lot different than bloggers who blog about politics and world events. But all bloggers use the internet to talk about issues they find are important.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterMike Mcgoo
As a young adult I have never seen a political blog, but I have been subject to blogs such as my space and facebook. As I read the short essay on “Are Bloggers “The People,” I would only have to agree. The fact that certain people write there views on certain political events and people are writing that they agree; then that’s the “People.” It fits so perfectly that white male are the lead users of blogs, they most likely have more resources to the internet, therefore, giving them a high rate. But like you remarked the Rebecca you see a rise in women and blogging. I defiantly can concur with that, because ever woman I know wants to get her point across and everyone better listen……and agree. LoL!
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterCSB02
As a very fresh person just learning about blogs, I already agree that bloggers are the people. Still having so much to learn, I believe that it is an intelligent and interesting new way for anyone with access to the internet to voice their opinion. Of course at the same time, political blogs are probably mostly visited by people interested in politics. Bloggers are the people who are just expressing themselves in a different way by posting it on the internet rather than getting into a heated debate in person or in print.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenternewtoblog93
In today’s world, blogging is becoming a great source of information for young people. Not every person between the ages of 18-25 is going to be reading the newspaper, but they will certainly be surfing the net during boring hours of the day. When engaging in this time they may check out their favorite website such as Myspace or the Facebook. When I think of bloggers, these sites are what comes to mind. It’s a way for bloggers to communicate with many on an issue rather than limiting your debates or comments to a few. I truly believe that blogging will revolutionize the way we view information and the way we search for it. You will no longer tune into your favorite news station to see what today’s happenings were, but you will get on the WBRZ blog and catch a quick glimpse with an entire account of what happened, as well as posts from eye witnesses. Technology can only help our society and make things more factual!
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterMizMadE1515
I strongly agree with that the political world is dominated by the highly educated, white, and male upper class of America. Just look at the politicians of the world today, the vast majority are white males and there has yet to be a president of our nation who was not a highly educated white male coming from the upper-class.
Blogging obviously is a very new thing and the majority of the nation probably does not know that it exist, this is my first experience. However, as blogging grows and more and more people become familiar with it I believe that the quality and variety of blogging and politics will no longer be dominated by educated, white males, from the upper-class; at least in the “blogging” world.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterbigbilly10
Like many of the other contributors to this particular blog, before reading it, the blogging revolution never really registered on my radar. Sure, I’d heard of it, it’s almost rare to meet someone today without one of their initial questions being “Do you have mySpace?” But political blogging and interviewing bloggers on the news? I’m almost embarrassed at how oblivious I was. The question though is who are bloggers? With this form of expression being so new and technologically rooted, I would assume bloggers were more often young people, who are tech-savvy having grown up along with computers and the internet. However, I myself am a young adult, raised in the “Information Age,” and was previously almost completely unaware of this growing trend, and if according to the original post, the most influential political bloggers are the wealthier, educated males, trying to generalize most bloggers into an age group seems impossible. I think the anonymity of the blog is what appeals most to those who post. Without an identity, bloggers are entitled to complete freedom of expression, without repercussions. It’s because of this that it’s difficult to categorize bloggers into any specific types of people. Bloggers are just people with opinions, some maybe afraid to express them in public, some just trying to keep up with the advances in technology; rich, educated males, or young women, they do represent the people, because the people is everyone.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterpseudonym
When I came into this blog, I had very limited knowledge about bloggers, mainly because, as a young adult, I am not really exposed to many political blogs. The blogs that I am use to are the ones that are posted on websites such as Myspace.com. Many teenagers post blogs regularly on Myspace.com, so I feel that the statistics of bloggers is going to be a much younger age in upcoming years,

I find it interesting at how low the percentage is of young political bloggers. I feel that many of the studies that are conducted are not entirely accurate. Most blogs are posted anonymously and the best way for statisticians to find their data is to just ask who posted certain blogs. I believe that as more studies are done, the greater number of younger bloggers will dramatically increase.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterLukeBron James
Who and what bloggers are or represent are good and interesting subject matters. I think that I would probably agree with some of the statements that were mentioned. I, like some others, didn’t know very much about bloggers until it was discussed in this article. I gather that the bloggers are basically very opinionated and out spoken individuals. After reading and reviewing the posts, I was able to get an idea about who and what bloggers could be. From this particular post, it seems like bloggers want and try to gain their popularity by getting publicity. In another words, when interesting topics come around, bloggers are invited to air their thoughts, which in most cases will affect the public’s opinions.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterbabe azimiz
Who and what bloggers are or represent are good and interesting subject matters. I think that I would probably agree with some of the statements that were mentioned. I, like some others, didn’t know very much about bloggers until it was discussed in this article. I gather that the bloggers are basically very opinionated and out spoken individuals. After reading and reviewing the posts, I was able to get an idea about who and what bloggers could be. From this particular post, it seems like bloggers want and try to gain their popularity by getting publicity. In another words, when interesting topics come around, bloggers are invited to air their thoughts, which in most cases will affect the public’s opinions.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterbabe azimiz
Who and what bloggers are or represent are good and interesting subject matters. I think that I would probably agree with some of the statements that were mentioned. I, like some others, didn’t know very much about bloggers until it was discussed in this article. I gather that the bloggers are basically very opinionated and out spoken individuals. After reading and reviewing the posts, I was able to get an idea about who and what bloggers could be. From this particular post, it seems like bloggers want and try to gain their popularity by getting publicity. In another words, when interesting topics come around, bloggers are invited to air their thoughts, which in most cases will affect the public’s opinions.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterbabe azimiz
I found it very interesting reading the blog and the individual post of others on this site. In many ways I agree with the thoughts of those who posted a comment. I do believe that those who blog are mainly of higher income and education because they are the people who have access to computers in the first place. I have to agree with froggy16 when he points out that the Internet gives us all a chance to express our views with a hidden identity. In this way, I am not sure if one can certainly say if a blogger is a male or female. I also believe that the trend of blogging is moving towards younger girls who like to post blogs about their "exciting" lives...these blogs however are probably not interesting to others besides friends. With this said, one could notice that what one blogger may find facinating, another could find completely boring; however, this may not be a bad thing. This gives people a wide range of blogs to search when surfing the web. Weather it be politics, money making skills, or skateboarding, you can be sure there is something for everyone. In this way I do think bloggers represent the people. All I know for sure is that these statistics will be rapidly changing in years to come as our world becomes dependant on technological advancement.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commenternic86
What is or who is a blogger? And what is blogging? Both of these questions crossed my mind while reading this article. I choose to read this particular article because I did not know what a blogger was or what a blogger did. After reading the article I still wasn’t quite sure, but what I got from the article is that bloggers are people who comment on different topics over the Internet. People us blogging as a way to voice their opinion and get noticed. There are people of all age groups, ethnicity, and gender participating in blogging. Political bloggers tend to influence other people’s opinion. Quite honestly the article was sort of confusing, but I tried to gain knowledge from it.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterBEBE
After reading this post as well as comments left by others, I now feel more informed about this issue. It upsets me, however, to think that some females seem to feel inferior to the predominantly male political bloggers. For this technologically advanced generation, I feel blogging is a great step forward in our media world today. I think it gives people a chance to voice their opinions on certain issues concerning our world. I noticed it was stated that political bloggers seem to be males with higher income and higher education. I wish this wasn't the case because I would love to see more diverse groups of people take part in the rising "blog world." I think if different people were to take part in blogging for reasons such as voicing their opinions, this would make people more open-minded and can force people to see issues in a different light.
January 24, 2006 | Unregistered Commentersc2
Previous 20 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next 20 Comments | Most Recent Comment »

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
All HTML will be escaped. Hyperlinks will be created for URLs automatically.