Why I Like Blogging About the Washington Post
posted by Frank Pasquale
Despite their awful lawsuit against the Freepers, the Washington Post does spark conversations about their articles in creative ways. For example, they alert readers to bloggers’ commentary on their articles–such as the “Obesity Epidemic” one I blogged on yesterday. As a result of such links, people like [er--readers of--see correction below] Kate Harding can make sure that they get the word out on stories they disagree with. . . and let other bloggers know about it, as she did in the comments to my post.
I’ve called for these “trackbacks” to go on editorial pages. Of course, it’s no wonder the NYT doesn’t want such links attached to David Brooks. . . .
July 26, 2007 at 10:25 am
Posted in: Blogging
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Responses (6)
Katie - July 26, 2007 at 10:45 am
Actually, that wasn’t Kate Harding, although I am a reader of her blog with a similar name. I tend to get nervous about posting my last name/e-mail address on-line, so I guess, insofar as that would provide some credibility, I can’t verify it, but apologies for the confusion.
Katie - July 26, 2007 at 10:49 am
(I should also add that I’m also a regular reader of this blog – I didn’t come across this post via the Washington Post, although I am intrigued to know that feature exists).
Frank - July 26, 2007 at 10:52 am
Well, I suppose my empirical example of the WaPo sparking creative conversations has just been debunked. But I suppose this debunking is in itself confirmation of the larger thesis–the self-correcting nature of the blogosphere.
KipEsquire - July 26, 2007 at 11:43 am
I am far more likely to use WaPo for my source material given their Technorati feature.
Meanwhile, the NYT has been nice enough to offer permalinks to their articles that bloggers can use. Unlike the direct URL, the permalink never expires. So they get a (sorta kinda) hat tip too.
Maryland Conservatarian - July 26, 2007 at 2:12 pm
“Of course, it’s no wonder the NYT doesn’t want such links attached to David Brooks. . . .”
…or Maureen Dowd or Frank Rich or…
Kate Harding - July 26, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Actually, that wasn’t Kate Harding, although I am a reader of her blog with a similar name.
And yet, through the miracle of referral logs, the creative conversations can still happen! Thanks for the plugs, Katie and Frank.
And I agree that alerting readers to blogger commentary is a very nice move on their part.
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