You know you need to update your blog when your dad asks why you haven’t been posting
In 559M, we’ve been talking a lot about information overload. Weekly coursework includes a forum that’s just shy of the 1000 post mark, Twittering, blogging, reading, and other experimentation. (Of course, there’s no 3 hour in-person lecture to attend.) A day (or a few) off can mean quite an avalanche of messages awaiting your response. Sometimes that makes it hard to get started again.
I’m a fan of Preene, Nonnecke and Andrews’ statement that “many lurkers are not selfish free-riders.” If only for selfish motivations, of course. See, silence online can mean many things. It can mean that my wireless has gone out for a few days, or that I am just working through the content at a slower pace, or that I am totally lost. If I’m silent when I physically attend class, it may mean that I didn’t do the reading, or that I just am digesting information, or simply don’t have anything to contribute. Online silences are harder to differentiate. Lurkers lurk for an equally open number of reasons, but those do not get articulated through body language or other visual and verbal cues.
But I’m off lurking for the rest of the term. Scout’s honor, dad.
Kelly,
As I’ve said before, you have an honest authentic voice as a blogger. I hope you continue
Dean (who was missing your blogging too)
Dean
19 Nov 09 at 9:15 pm
Kelly
What fun to see my “name” in the title. And glad to hear that my comments motivated you to post a thoughtful tidbit about lurking. Speaking of which, I am a veteran lurker as I very seldom leave comments so this is unusual for me. I also find it odd that I am writing to you like I normally do via “private” email but here it is available for all to see, but will end as I always do. LOVE DAD
Dad
23 Nov 09 at 9:12 pm