Wesleying is an interesting topic for discussion at Wesleyan. From what we can tell from our site stats is that most students read it daily (or some students are reading from six different computers a day which is sort of weird but ok, we’ll take it). A lot of faculty and staff are slowly admitting to read it. We can only assume that someone in the administration reads it. I mean, we can assume public relations does–like a hawk.
But most of the success of a blog (any blog) comes from the relationship between blogger and audience. That’s the fun part. That’s what distinguishes a blog like this from other things we could be doing. It’s dynamic. And given this, we can do a lot of things with it.
I’m thrilled at the proliferation of new student blogs like EON’s. It’s really satisfying watching students find a social medium where limitations are few and the costs are low.
Despite the ubiquity of “the blog” (because god knows everyone has a blog), a lot of people seem to want to relegate “the blog” into something less effectual than it could be. I’m probably more of the mindset to see the blog more than it actually is, admittedly, but at the same time I think it’s better to have too much faith than too little, sometimes.
So I’m putting it out there. What do you want Wesleyan’s “Blogosphere” to do for you? What can you do for Wesleyan’s Blogosphere? What are the stakes in creating a student space that, in many ways, lives and breathes entirely upon student effort. There is no one else to blame if it fails. But what is to gain if it succeeds?
What’s your take? What kind of space do you want to build?
I’m an alum who feels closer to the reality of Wesleyan through what you do. not the event listings, but the other stuff – campus politics, student life, Michael Roth gossip… and the occassional youtube clip of a burning dollhouse.
I’m an alum who feels closer to the reality of Wesleyan through what you do. not the event listings, but the other stuff – campus politics, student life, Michael Roth gossip… and the occassional youtube clip of a burning dollhouse.
If Wesleying posters wrote about their frustrated sex lives, or how much homework they have, or how indie they are, that would be ego stroking. But that’s livejournal – this is totally a community blog and it’s great. I think Wesleying is about as egotistical as… talking.Talking and sharing does build community.I’m all for it.
If Wesleying posters wrote about their frustrated sex lives, or how much homework they have, or how indie they are, that would be ego stroking. But that’s livejournal – this is totally a community blog and it’s great. I think Wesleying is about as egotistical as… talking.
Talking and sharing does build community.
I’m all for it.
I’m disappointed at how people just want to use you guys as event mongers. I think the point you’re trying to make is great that this blog could be so much more than just an event blog. It could be a way to bring the campus together. We could discuss the issues that concern us here. And sometimes we have been able to. I’d like to see more of us discussing things that impact us as a community. I respect you guys a whole lot and not just as event mongers. Hust wanted to say that.
I’m disappointed at how people just want to use you guys as event mongers.
I think the point you’re trying to make is great that this blog could be so much more than just an event blog. It could be a way to bring the campus together. We could discuss the issues that concern us here. And sometimes we have been able to. I’d like to see more of us discussing things that impact us as a community.
I respect you guys a whole lot and not just as event mongers. Hust wanted to say that.
I for one would like to see wesleying serving to unify wesleyan more. Like we could have a collective voice thanks to this blog. Let’s use it!
I for one would like to see wesleying serving to unify wesleyan more. Like we could have a collective voice thanks to this blog. Let’s use it!
After a while, it’s hard to disassociate Wesleyan from Wesleying, it’s such a pivotal part of my life as a Wesleyan student. While I may not go to all of the events posted, at least I know about them. I also like that the blog has survived so long and that is constantly maintained. Write on!
After a while, it’s hard to disassociate Wesleyan from Wesleying, it’s such a pivotal part of my life as a Wesleyan student. While I may not go to all of the events posted, at least I know about them. I also like that the blog has survived so long and that is constantly maintained. Write on!
While I agree that there is nothing wrong with a little ego stroking in the blog world, I don’t think that there’s an ego to BE justified at Wesleying. It’s not like the bloggers post their own art shows or concerts or theater performances more than those of others.
While I agree that there is nothing wrong with a little ego stroking in the blog world, I don’t think that there’s an ego to BE justified at Wesleying. It’s not like the bloggers post their own art shows or concerts or theater performances more than those of others.
I strongly disagree with the egotism argument presented here. If any of these bloggers were egotists, we’d know a lot more about them. I only realized Ishuku is Xue Sun like a week ago. I only knew that the Holly is Holly Wood from the Argus article. And I only know Julie is Julie Lam because her blogger name links to her picture.Ok, I admit. I know joe john is joe john. But I think they do a really good job of not being ego-stroking to any degree. They don’t even put ads on the website. It’s really more selfless, I think, than anything.
I strongly disagree with the egotism argument presented here. If any of these bloggers were egotists, we’d know a lot more about them. I only realized Ishuku is Xue Sun like a week ago. I only knew that the Holly is Holly Wood from the Argus article. And I only know Julie is Julie Lam because her blogger name links to her picture.
Ok, I admit. I know joe john is joe john.
But I think they do a really good job of not being ego-stroking to any degree. They don’t even put ads on the website. It’s really more selfless, I think, than anything.
I’d like it if you could help us start an ROTC branch at Wes. I mean, what would shake up the military more than to have a bunch of Wes Grads as officers!
I’d like it if you could help us start an ROTC branch at Wes. I mean, what would shake up the military more than to have a bunch of Wes Grads as officers!
I like this blog, especially the events listings and some of the items. But I think what the first commentor said has some validity – but you shouldn’t take offense in it. A blog IS an exercise of the ego, as well as a plea for attention (and shame on the faculty member who posted for not recognizing that!) – but what wrong with a little ego on parade? Without that we’d all just be drones fulfilling some Orwellian or Stalinist existence. So what if a lot of this is about the bloggers or their perception of Wes? THAT’S the POINT of A BLOG! So blog on and be proud that you have a touch of egomania (really – who at Wes doesn’t?).
I like this blog, especially the events listings and some of the items. But I think what the first commentor said has some validity – but you shouldn’t take offense in it. A blog IS an exercise of the ego, as well as a plea for attention (and shame on the faculty member who posted for not recognizing that!) – but what wrong with a little ego on parade? Without that we’d all just be drones fulfilling some Orwellian or Stalinist existence. So what if a lot of this is about the bloggers or their perception of Wes? THAT’S the POINT of A BLOG! So blog on and be proud that you have a touch of egomania (really – who at Wes doesn’t?).
As a graduating senior, I read your blog to get better, fuller sense of Wesleyan life. I like that this blog is like a patch work made by different hands and it’s always open, flexible to accomodate different, many voices (This definitely distinguishes Wesleying from other blogs written by a limited number of people). And it still maintains to attract readers because your patch work does have a penetrating theme that appeals to all different kinds of people in Wesleyan. And it’s also very approachable (it’s a web but it maintains to be friendly) and accessible.
As a graduating senior, I read your blog to get better, fuller sense of Wesleyan life. I like that this blog is like a patch work made by different hands and it’s always open, flexible to accomodate different, many voices (This definitely distinguishes Wesleying from other blogs written by a limited number of people). And it still maintains to attract readers because your patch work does have a penetrating theme that appeals to all different kinds of people in Wesleyan. And it’s also very approachable (it’s a web but it maintains to be friendly) and accessible.
As another faculty-reader, I’d say this blog is doing something for Wesleyan I’ve never seen done before in the years I’ve worked here. You’re capturing a lot of student life. And I appreciate that this isn’t just an event listing. I understand that just making an event listing would be dull.
As another faculty-reader, I’d say this blog is doing something for Wesleyan I’ve never seen done before in the years I’ve worked here. You’re capturing a lot of student life.
And I appreciate that this isn’t just an event listing.
I understand that just making an event listing would be dull.
I like this blog but I’m not so sure that blogger #1 is “mean” – that’s just his/her/ze’s opinion. And that would be my primary quibble with Wes. Why is it here that if you don’t agree with someone you are either “mean” or “hateful” or “a Republican” et al? It gets so monolithic. But keep up the blog. Especially the events – I think that’s your best feature!
I like this blog but I’m not so sure that blogger #1 is “mean” – that’s just his/her/ze’s opinion. And that would be my primary quibble with Wes. Why is it here that if you don’t agree with someone you are either “mean” or “hateful” or “a Republican” et al? It gets so monolithic. But keep up the blog. Especially the events – I think that’s your best feature!
I am one of your faculty readers and — I think — a pretty good judge of self-indulgence and egotism (mostly because of my experiences on the faculty.) This blog is funny, mature and more than a cut above other student blogs on other campuses.I read it a) for the events b) for the funny stuff. Don’t let mean people get you down.
I am one of your faculty readers and — I think — a pretty good judge of self-indulgence and egotism (mostly because of my experiences on the faculty.) This blog is funny, mature and more than a cut above other student blogs on other campuses.
I read it a) for the events b) for the funny stuff. Don’t let mean people get you down.
personally, i dig wesleying mainly for knowing about events
personally, i dig wesleying mainly for knowing about events
I’d like to see more fun journalism like Brian’s stuff. He’s great!
I’d like to see more fun journalism like Brian’s stuff. He’s great!
wow, anonymous1, you’re … mean.
wow, anonymous1, you’re … mean.
I’d like to see more events like the guitar hero thing you guys did a while ago. I thought that was really great.
I’d like to see more events like the guitar hero thing you guys did a while ago. I thought that was really great.
Hmm. I recommend you not read the blog then, above person. Try to find events to hang out with real life people some other way. Fuck community-building yukkiness and all that. You’re right. We shouldn’t have things like a community.
Hmm. I recommend you not read the blog then, above person. Try to find events to hang out with real life people some other way. Fuck community-building yukkiness and all that. You’re right. We shouldn’t have things like a community.
I say keep doing what you’re doing. I mean what is better than starting a blog because you feel disconnected and want to build more relationships in your community. Except of course going out there and actually building relationships with people in your community. But that would mean doing stuff and listening to people and considering their opinions and need. And some other yukky messiness. That would be less self-indulgent…and less self-refferential…less self-aggrandizing – and not really be under the pretense of being a community-building thing. So I vote a loud “Yes! Keep doing what you’re doing!” It’s a hilarious display of egos on parade.
I say keep doing what you’re doing. I mean what is better than starting a blog because you feel disconnected and want to build more relationships in your community. Except of course going out there and actually building relationships with people in your community. But that would mean doing stuff and listening to people and considering their opinions and need. And some other yukky messiness. That would be less self-indulgent…and less self-refferential…less self-aggrandizing – and not really be under the pretense of being a community-building thing. So I vote a loud “Yes! Keep doing what you’re doing!” It’s a hilarious display of egos on parade.