Kesher Talk

And now for a bit of blog gossip. . . . It's always a pleasant surprise to run into old friends on the web. Adina Levin is blogging at GreaterDemocracy.org, which also includes Jon Lebkowsky, a loose acquaintance via intersecting Austin EFF and Bruce Sterling social circles. Until recent layoffs, Adina was researching business development strategy for a well-respected Austin internet company, which means she got paid to peer into the future of the Web.

This post describes some research which suggests that people use internet filters to reinforce their existing prejudices rather than to learn anything new.
Adina questions this conclusion. I would too, in fact I think blogs act to keep people aware of contrary viewpoints via comment sections, as well as those blogs which link to a wide-range of political stances.

Speaking of networks, I used to virtually "know" Valdis Krebs from a lively email list which I reluctantly left because it threatened to swallow my life. I know Adina (in person!) through an old friend from my years in Philadelphia, and our primary socializing was through the Jewish community, but it makes sense that she also knows Jon because 1) they're both into Web futurism and 2) Jon knows everyone.

posted by Judith @ 1/20/2003 03:42:09 PM