Blog Geography

The purpose of this weblog is to provide a forum for discussion of real-world applications of concepts and events that are discussed in my regional and A.P. Human Geography. It is appropriate to begin with the topic of blogging and its potential for influencing politics and culture. I became intrigued with the blogging phenomenon during last fall's election when I found myself dropping in on several blogs in an attempt to make sense of what was being reported in the mainstream media. The November/December issue of Foreign Policy magazine had an interesting article on blogs. A summary of the major points in that article might provide the context for some good discussion.

--In 1999, an estimated 50 blogs existed. Today the estimates range from 2.4 million to 4.1 million. Once the domain of web-savvy teenagers, blogs are increasingly influencing politics and the reporting of national and international issues.

--Although the blogosphere by nature has no central organization, a hierarchical structure has emerged. Some blogs have achieved a wide readership because they are linked to on other websites. This process helps to sort the interesting from the mundane. The elite blogs then act as focal points for discussion and analysis as well as a feedback mechanism for the mainstream media.

--Blogs can provide an outlet for individuals who might not otherwise be heard. University of Michigan professor Juan Cole ( a Middle East expert) started his own blog after having difficulty getting published. His blog caught on, and Cole has since become a "public intellectual," sought out by media outlets and government groups seeking information.

--Bloggers can post their reactions to events quickly—before other forms of media can respond. This speed can create some inaccuracies, but these are overcome quickly as readers are quick to pin them down on the facts. Blogs can also act as fact checkers for mainstream media. The controversy over CBS' decision to use unauthenticated documents in a story about George W. Bush's National Guard duty is a case in point.

-- Blogs are beginning to emerge in countries where governments control the media. While repressive government can make blogging more difficult, bloggers can take their case to a transnational network of advocates. (Note: Farsi is the fourth most widely used language among blogs worldwide.)

--The blogosphere remains dominated by the developed world. Demographically blogs are dominated by middle class white males. Like the mainstream media, they tend to ignore large parts of the world.


The geographic implications of this new form of communication are far-reaching. It affects the way ideas are formed and diffuse. Its ability to transcend political boundaries represents a challenge to the authority of the state. It is difficult to mount a disinformation campaign if the public has access to an alternate view of the facts.