Jenny Mackness has unknowingly thrown down the gauntlet on a blogging exercise I think is very worthwhile and will be trying here into the foreseeable future. The idea is that you take 10 minutes – and 10 minutes only – and devote it to writing a post. The context of this idea is a video clip available on YouTube that was referenced in a recently The Daily, circulated by Stephen Downes.
Not having the clip right in front of me, I can’t be sure of the exact “rules” (if they can so be called) – so instead here are the guidelines that I’ll be following here:
- Thou shalt not plan your post in advance; it must come off the cuff in a stream of consciousness if need be.
- Thou shalt not edit the post after 10 minutes passes. When 10 minutes is up, the post is etched in stone. The only exception as I see it is if you need to correct a reference to an external source.
The point of this exercise is attributed to a couple of ideas.
First, honesty and sincerity in blogging. This is not to say that these notions don’t already exist in this blog, but rather serves as an exercise to further drive home the point. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Following on that point, finding the conversation in blogging. Once again, this is not to say that blogging can’t be scholarly or intellectual – but that the medium of blogs speaks strongly to the notion of connecting with others. In that sense blog posts represent a gateway to discourse with others. By couching your ideas in an easily digestible language it facilitates the discussions that can occur in their wake. In my view the value to learning in blogs lay as much in a culture of considered commenting and conversation as it does in the formulation of the idea that inspires the discussion.
My 10 minutes is up.
8.20 a.m.
Mike I was following leads from other blogs and saw your two comments on Jenny’s blog. I have been thinking a lot about blogging as a result of CCK08.
8.22 a.m.
Despite thirty years of using keyboards I am still a hunt and peck typist. This increases all posting times. I have been thinking about what I would have done with all those person years had I been a touch typist.
8.24 a.m.
I text just with my thumb too!
8.25 a.m.
(Just answered a phone call!)
8.26 a.m.
I wanted to use my 10 minutes to respond to your post. I found it delightful that in the digital age we can still throw down a gauntlet. I wonder if like duels we can have a choice between flee or fight?
8.27 a.m.
I read Jenny’s slow blogging post and carmen’s slow listening posts and i thought both were great examples of contemplative time.
8.28 a.m.
Throughout CCK08 I have tried to use the 10 minute time for posting comments. I see engaging with big issues taking much longer.
8.29 a.m.
My time is up. Thanks for your posts. They have made CCK08 very special for me.
Keith (8.30 a.m.)
PS
I resisted the edit opportunity provided by Leave a reply!
Mike,
I enjoyed reading your post. 10 minutes – is good for thinking. I normally spent more than 10 minutes in writing my blog. So, would it add up to at least 20 minutes for the whole process of creating a post?
I could write many blogs in one day, just like the emails that I have to write normally – say 5 to 10. But as you mentioned, what is the purpose of the blog? For use as a diary or for connection? They are totally different in style and context. What counts is quality – does it meet the reader’s needs? Does it attract his/her attention? 10 minutes is up for this response.
Many thanks. You are welcome to visit
http://suifaijohnmak.wordpress.com for further comments.
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