Infinite MonkeysOK, I lied when I said I'd have a review of Hugh Hewitt's Blog : Understanding the Information Reformation That's Changing Your World.
I can't really review this book. I can only bury it in praise. I didn't expect that--you know we hear at Infinite Monkeys love to make fun of geeky Hugh (and intend to continue doing so). His previous books have been very, very good. But this is one historians will be reading decades from now, because he is way ahead of the curve here.
I think many Americans believe blogs are a hot trend, but a temporary one, like CB radios. And, yes, for many bloggers the thrill of BlogSpot wears off quicker than you can say "Breaker One-Nine, good buddy." However, Hugh understands that there is something much deeper and more powerful going on here, and rightly compares it to Gutenberg and the Reformation. The way we communicate is fundamentally being changed, and while the New York Times, CBS and the political process are closest to the epicenter, the shaking will soon be felt in pop culture, religion, the arts and other unexpected corners of the world.
Hugh's book is a great survey: it moves briskly for those familiar with blogs, but wisely Hugh puts some of the meat in the middle where a casual reader looking in an airport bookstore will be drawn in (and this is the perfect book for reading on a flight, although the reader will be itching to get back to his computer to check out some of the blogs, especially the ones listed at the bottom of page XII). He clearly lays out the history of blogs, then goes further into the longer term implications. It really is essential reading.
Posted by David at December 30, 2004 03:36 PM | TrackBackJoe Carter quoted from Hugh's book something to the effect that going into print journalism now is akin to aspiring to be bishop of Wittenburg just as Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door. Just what I'd expect from a Protestant. (I'd note, by the way, that the Catholic Church is still alive and more or less well.) Look, print isn't going away. But I think he's not wrong, either. Old media need to adopt and adapt to the new media revolution. I think some publications are uniquely positioned to do that. Certain papers owned by certain media companies with large online holdings, for example. Others aren't. 2005 is going to be an interesting year.
Posted by: Ex-Monkey Ben at December 30, 2004 04:53 PMThe book looks great, as long as Hugh doesn't put the same spin on it as he does on his website. Is at least a measured look at blogging in general, rather than focused praise on certain ones for their philosophies?
For instance, if he damns Kos for his inflammatory comments about the contractors, does he acknowledge the borderline racism of LGF? Is he as level with Kevin Drum and Josh Marshall as he is with Powerline and Volokh? What about the wonderful folks from DHAK? Or the Gawker crew? Are they acknowledged as part of the rise of blogging in all spheres of media (including entertainment), or laughed off as foul-mouthed gossip-mongers?
Posted by: RedAssedBaboon at December 31, 2004 06:14 AM"you know we here at Infinite Monkeys love to make fun of geeky Hugh (and intend to continue doing so)."
Really? I thought you worshipped him like unto a god, a mighty deity who bestrides the worlds of radio and websites like a giant bestriding thing.
Posted by: Monty at December 31, 2004 04:57 PM"I thought you worshipped him like unto a god, a mighty deity who bestrides the worlds of radio and websites like a giant bestriding thing."
Well of course. But remember, thats "a" god, not "The" God.
When I grow up (if), I want to be a "giant bestriding thing."
Posted by: JamesPh. at January 1, 2005 12:37 AM