What genre are you?
Written by Amutha on July 14, 2008 – 12:24 am
One thing that baffles me in Malaysian Indian blogging scene would be the lack of interest shown at variety of blogging genres. Our brothers and sisters who have just jumped into the blogging bandwagon seems to be very comfortable associating themselves with social and political issues - "SOPO" blogs in short. It seems to me that other blog genres are either invisible to them or they simply do not ‘regard’ those blogs as blogs all together! One need only to scan through their link list / blogroll. There is a high probability that you would find a long list of SOPO blogs and no other genres.
Every newbie seems to be a baby when it comes to blogging
While I have a lot of respect towards SOPO bloggers for highlighting important social and political issues on this nation and our community, I can’t turn blind eye seeing our bloggers confining themselves in one category and fighting against each other defending their views. Yes, that is ONE of the purpose of us blogging but it is not the ONLY reason we are here.
I am sure there are a number of personal bloggers, tech bloggers, photobloggers and food bloggers are here. Some maybe blogging on parenting, religious and literature issues. However, the numbers are very small when we are compared to SOPO bloggers. In fact, non-bloggers have the impression that every blogger is a SOPO blogger and are sitting in front of the computer critising the gov/opposition everyday - thanks to the misconception played by the main stream media.
You don’t have to meditate to find an answer to your blogging needs. You just need to equip yourself with some basic knowledge about blogworld.
No, I am not saying every SOPO blogger needs to close shop and/or convert their blogs to another genre. I just want to create the awareness of the existence of other types of blogs too. Maybe, the newbies simply don’t know they can be a blogger by blogging about other stuff too!
Wonder what we can do about it…
What is your say?
Posted in Technology |
July 14th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Can anybody claim copyright on blogging? Its for all, whether old or new. There is no limitation for bloggers. After all why these people choose to blog? To express themself. Whether politic, social, tech , kutuk gov or anything is just to let the world know what this specific person feels about their environment of living. SOPO or not, blogging actually can make us know somebody better. Maybe their way of releasing stress ;). So I think all should appreciate all bloggers ( new or old) for brave enough to share their views, knowledge and what ever they put up in their blog.
July 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Dear vj,
“Can anybody claim copyright on blogging?”
If my understanding of your question is correct, then yes. we have the copyright of what we blog.
I’m trying to highlight the fact that many do not ‘regard’ other forms of blogs as blogs eg. food blog, photo blog etc. The number of Malaysian Indian bloggers who blog on other themes are limited. Many concentrate on social and political themes, some have personal blogs. But that’s about it.
In fact, quite large number of blogs claiming to be SOPO but only cutting and pasting news articles from Star, NST and Mkini. Lack of substance and originality. But genuine bloggers definitely have my respect and appreciation.
ammu.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Dear Amutha,
The thing is our community is only undermined by social and political aspects.
No one restricts us for the other themes i.e. food, photos etc. One can write a recipe or send some pics to the local newspaper, but can one write to a local MSM asking Samy where the MAIKA shares went?
Blogging (on SOPO) allows us to voice our opinions, crudely or not, without any fear of retaliation. If I were to ask this same question on the streets of Malaysia, I will be in ISA without a doubt.
I used to blog nonsense on my Friendster blog, but after Nov 25 I realised that my blogs should have a whole new meaning. Hence the SOPO issues.
You also said this: “fighting against each other defending their views.” Actually its discussion (but sometimes it does get overboard), but its just that the issues are somewhat inflammatory. You will never see cut throat arguments regarding a photo or recipe, but politics draws the guns out.
But I do agree with your point when you said SOPO blogs are more of cutting and pasting articles from other sources. I used to do that myself, then I realised it was a bit lame.
A good post though. Cheers.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
another genre..make money with blogging..
i realize there is only 1 Indian blogger in this genre.
Mr. Gobala Krishnan
he blogs at http://www.gobalakrishnan.com
Is any other blogger u guys know in this genre??
July 14th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
i personally think..that SOPO bloggers will fade away one day…
July 14th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Dear sactyr@naga,
Thank you so much for voicing out your comment here. I have to agree with what you have mentioned there.
SOPO issues are somehow interest a lot of people of our community and no one is holding anyone back from posting about other stuff. But are they aware of such category of blogs? I have came across non-bloggers (but blog readers) who are clueless when I mentioned ‘photoblog’. It seems like everyone jumping into the blogworld only thinking how to condemn the politicians. While blogs provide such avenue for them, why is the stigma? Why must people think every blogger is a SOPO blogger?
I just would like to see more ‘colours’ in your Malaysian Indian blogging scene.
Cheers!
ammu.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Dear mmuurrllyy,
I think there are handful of Malaysian Indians blogging solely for money, but certainly more than one.
For a start we have Budget Mahendran. lolz.
I mean, there are small-timers trying to earn via blogging but Gobala Krishnan probably has overshadowed anyone in this genre!
And not only SOPO blogs, the whole blogging madness will fade one day. Yes, everything will be gone once another new ‘madness’ starts!
ammu.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Mr.GObalakrishnan is more like a scammer
. He claims he create books and softwares when those materials are mostly have been created by others CENTURIES ago.
Check out his new SOFTWARE on HOW TO CREATE A AWESOME POP UP!.. Wahhh!! Software to make pop up!.. Wahh…..
anyway, im a PERSONAL Blogger. GoD Bless me because I dont write awesome comedical COnspiracy theories and what nots
July 14th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Good point sis. But what I am trying to say here is , no body owns blogging world. Its a free chanel for everybody to pour out their thoughts and sometimes what they know from others. I believe we should not limit anybody from blogging about anything. But he or she must be responsible for their content outcome.
“Kalau kutuk/kritik biar laa berasas. Kalau nasihat biar la yang baik. Kalau berita biar la yang membuka minda.”
Again I would say let the Indians speaks out. Biar apapun, they have been kept under coconut shell for very long time in Malaysia. Good or bad we must speak and discuss about gov, politic and society because that is part and parcel of everyone’s life.
This cut and paste thing, as long as the owner allows, why not use them? Have u heard about power of duplicating? I learnt about it from multilevel marketing (tapi tak buat laa). Yess news that duplicated have more power to change things.
All that we learnt from school, college and University does not comes from within us but from somebody who thought about it before us. So dont worry laa… SOPO atau SOGO, namaka mellai ore power iruke, avan patukollavan.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Well, im sure NST or Mkini or The Star wont allow their materials to be Copy n pasted by bloggers
Agreeed with VJ on his malay quote
. Good one
July 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Betul saudara novin. It can be used “if allowed only” . I myself copy and paste jugak before commenting. Ehmmm kena ubah gaya nampaknya.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Ms Amutha,
Yes, there are many types of blogs in cyberspace. The types of blogs you have listed in your article are but a lick on the icing. But the blogosphere is a platform without a horizon, and any attempt to “classify” blogs is simply a wasted effort.
Blogging is like writing a diary; your thoughts in a public space. If I am passionate about cooking, I will put recipes in my blog. However, my passion is social and politics, thus that is what I blog about. So do many of this so-called SOPO bloggers.
We cannot demand that every Indian in Malaysia should be aware of non-SOPO bloggers or blogs. Many Indians were not even bothered about social and political issues before Nov 25. They were more interested in making friends and reading about the latest Tamil movies and songs. Friendster blogging is just one example. Thankfully, this is changing, as people are becoming more aware of the seriousness of the issues facing our community.
It is also up to the individual reader which blogs hold their interest, and which doesn’t, based on their own priorities and needs.
MIBs,
What I am miffed about, is recently many Malaysian Indian bloggers are “pulling rank” on new blogs. I see this happening only in Indian blogs. WHY? Even in blogging, we cannot seem to get away from this mentality of “ranking” and “hierarchy”. I have read blogs which write down “rules” of blogging, bloggers who reprimand new bloggers, bloggers who call other bloggers as “newcomers”. This is not feudalistic University environment where we classify ourselves as “seniors” and “freshies”, and freshies are duty bound to follow the rules of the presumptuous seniors. Blogs have no rules, no boundaries and no castes. Please break free from the mentality of “self-importance”, and simply…read!
p/s: Forgive me for being blunt.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
tzarina,
I totally agree with your points. Its okay for being blunt at times, only then the message can be conveyed.
…I dont know in which category I fall into but all i know is my blog postings depends on what I have at that point of time.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Terima Kasih Saudara VJ
Kita ubah sebelum mengubah! 
July 14th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Looks like I ‘hurt’ many SOPO bloggers with the article.
Thanks for being blunt but I think some arguments are going a little off topic.
I am not questioning SOPO bloggers. Like what I have mentioned in the post, I have a lot of respect towards them. One of the reason - SOPO bloggers are usually are the most vulnerable to ‘cyber attacks’, and the fact that many disregard the risks while blogging for the rights of people definitely have my salute.
Again, I’m merely trying to highlight the lack of blogs created in other categories. I am not advocating any form of ‘rule and divide’ which is obviously ridiculous. I am sure a blogger will ask their blog genre at least once in the blogging life. Even PPP would ask your blog genre. Am I right?
I was expecting some ideas how to encourage blogging in other categories. What can we do to widen the scope? How would we explain to the non-bloggers that they too can blog about their kids (i.e parenting blog)without having to resolve to social and political issues which they may not be interested?
Having say that, I am really happy to see lot of activities in MINDSBLOG after a short gap.
Thank you everyone!
ammu.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Saya sebagai blogger memang bersetuju dengan pandangan saudari Amutha.
Beberapa hari dulu,seorang kawan baik saya,bila diminta kenapa beliau tidak berminat untuk blog,beliau memberitahu saya yang beliau tidak pandai dalam hal ehwal semasa dan pengetahuan politiknya cetek!
Apa kena mengena politik dan blogging? Ini sedikit sebanyak menunjukkan yang kebanyakkan orang india di malaysia percaya blog adalah satu pentas untuk menulis hal-hal politik ataupun isu-isu semasa sahaja.
Ada seribu satu benda di dunia ini yang kita boleh blogkan selain drpd isu-isu politik/semasa. Tanggungjawab kita sebagai blogger adalah untuk menunjukkan yang blog boleh digunakan untuk menulis apa sahaja.
Saya percaya yang saudari amutha hanya ingin menitik beratkan yang blog bukanlah pasal politik sahaja.
Bak kata pepatah, dua tiga blog ditulis,mana nak sama dengan blog saya sendiri!
haha.
Karam Singh Novinthen Melaporkan untuk TV3 Setengah.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Amutha,
I salute your efforts to create variety in the blogging scene.
But the fact remains that blogging does need to be structured. Each one of us are ignorant about issues outside our own interests and scope of understanding. Since the methodology of blog readers are to look for subjects that are close to their own interests, it is very difficult indeed to make people aware of the wide variety that is out there in the Internet. It all comes down to individual tastes and current requirement. Similarly, bloggers also write on their own interests.
Blogging will never fade. As long as there are hobbies and issues, and the Internet is sustainable, people will continue writing. Maybe it wouldn’t be called “blogging” anymore, but the essence will remain. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, as long as the mainstream media is biased and closed towards independent thinkers, there will always be social and political bloggers.
July 15th, 2008 at 12:49 am
hmmm.. topic nampaknya sudah jauh lari pergi ke Somalia…
errrmmm… this ain’t a view to condemn SOPO bloggers… It is just a view to put bloggers of others genres into a brighter perspective.
yes, blogging can’t be defined concretely, but you can define yourself through ur blog(s), right?
by personal experience, almost all of my university mates have no idea what the blog world is all about. They are too busy checking out Soccernet and Facebook. On the mention of blogs, they think of people shooting darts at the government. Heck, even before I blogged or read blogs, I was in their shoes too.
The point is, there should at least be an awareness that blogs are not only of the SOPO category. Perhaps our current environment brings SOPO blogs to light more than the others. No harm done.
SOPO bloggers ain’t bad. They provide 1001 different POVs on one issue. Copy-paste SOPO bloggers shud be shot dead between the eyes for not wanting to use some brain power to discuss a SOPO issue. **winks**
So, all it takes is time for people to learn of new existence. I’m sure everyone who commented here were at one point blog virgins, who had to slowly explore everything and learn of new genres. It’s the same with everyone else. With time, everything will one day be known.
Now, who knows that Pluto is not officially a planet?
July 15th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Dear Ammu,
Sorry I totally missed the point in your article, only realised after reading the rest of the comments.
And not to mention that someone is having a dig at certain conspiracy theory. Well it is hoped that with more people mentioning it, it shall be proved or busted one day.
So coming back (from Somalia as Kavi puts it), so sorry to have run off track with my comment above. Well blogs are personal expression, and hence people tend to write what is close to their heart?
So judging by that, it will be kinda hard to make people aware of the types of blog. I mean, those who are blogging will already have a certain theme to blog about, whereas those who are not yet blogging may simply not be keen into blogging.
So the question really should be how to make more people aware of blogging, and they will tend to choose the theme they like.
Hope I have stayed on track this time.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
erm..correction, Novinthen.
not only orang India…
nowadays every Malaysian thinking that way..
July 16th, 2008 at 12:11 am
soon im goin to hv a photo and travel blog.. getting bored with politic issue la.. lol
July 16th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Ehmm…my coment kena del pulak. Anything wrong with it? Anyway there is no end for SOPO. But I can see SOPO blogger pun got writes about other things. I think when they got bored, they will explore new area.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Betul, saya setuju dengan pandangan saudara mmmurrrllyyyyyy
July 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
@ Novinthen
Thanks for clarifying further my stand.
@ tzarina
yes, bloggers write on their interest. But there are people out there with interests other than social/political issues and with fair writing skill. They are staying away from blogs because they think blogs are not for them. Why? Mainly because of the stigma that blogs = SOPO blogs and other types of blog are not blogs.
ammu.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
@ Kavilan
Nalla theliva irukinge. I like that! Thanks!
“I’m sure everyone who commented here were at one point blog virgins, who had to slowly explore everything and learn of new genres.”
Blog virgins - I like that term too!!
@ sactyr
Thank you so much!
Yes, you are well on track this time
Lets say I ask you - what are your interests apart from your current blog theme? Does that interest worth blogging? Is it possible for you to come up with another blog of a different genre? What would you say?
ammu.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
@ Raaja
That’s the spirit!! Can’t wait to check out that blog. Coming up soon eh?
@ Vj
I can’t seem to find your comment in the moderation as well and no, I have not deleted any comment till now. Possible it was not sent properly?
ammu.
July 20th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
oh man…food fight!!!
oh btw… blog tidak boleh digunakan sebagai kata kerja. to blog - untuk menulis blog dan bukannya untuk memblog atau please blog this - sila blogkan ini is wrong, sila blog catatan (post) or kandungan ini. :p
btw…Blogger interface in Malay went online last Friday, have fun with it!
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
SOPO bloggers who cut and paste ( and put an idiotic HTML code that pops up a “do not steal” warning if u right click
) should be taken away their Internet access for the rest of my life. 
i think we can safely conclude here that what AMmutha tried to put forward is that blogs are not solely a platform or venue for political views only, it can vary from food to grandma’s story.
i dunt know why we Malaysians talk of ‘blog’ as something ..SOMETHING. Did we ever talk of having email? its the same if u ask me..u can argue tat tru blogs public can read and discuss…so can emails. We can forward to all those in our mailing list. in order to understand this whole thing one need to look at the Internet world as a whole and its progress over the decade.
-im skipping the historical analysis of the Net here -
Then we will realise that blog is just another phase in the crazy world of Net, it wunt stay forever. In the next 10years we might have different thing, god knows what!
But as bloggers, we have to set the tone right. We have to explain to readers that blogs is not all about SoPo stuff..i think that is what ammu tried to say..
And well, that is what MIB stands for, to promote the culture of blogging among Msian Indian, and to create awareness of it.
guess this is one of it too!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
@ gp
Phheww!! That’s tough one. Even I thought we can use blog as a verb in Bahasa. Thanks for the clarification!
@ mahen
thanks for the tackling the issue right away. Yes, you got it all right! Lets move MIB to a greater heights, promoting blogging culture!
ammu.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
On the topic of Blogs in general
Mahen,
I would beg to differ on blogging as a fad. The diary never faded. People all around the world are still writing stuffs down. For every dead blogger, there seems to be thousands of new bloggers emerging. Blogs might evolve, but whether it will disappear, right now, there seems to be no reason to say so…but I agree with you on talking abt blogging as a subject. Why do we do this? Maybe coz the gomen started it by treating bloggers as enemy of the state? Hence everyone in Msia suddenly became consciously aware of this thing called blog…
On the topic of blogs & Indians
I have come across many non-political blogs - tamil movies, tamil songs (repeat a few times…tamil movie…tamil songs…), tamil language, daily diaries (which could range from anything to anything), photography, posting own music, making friends (countless Friendster sites), travel experiences, Indian mindset (many here also write on this), the lives of their babies, children, etc etc. So I do not see how blogging is assumed by those ppl you guys have come across, to be within the narrow scope of “politics”. In fact, many Msian Indians have been blogging about their own personal lives for many years already…
Anyway, Amutha, how do you propose bringing awareness to those who are “unawakened” that blogs are not only political? Any ideas?
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” [Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM in 1943].
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Tzarina,
That’s a good question. But that’s exactly what I am asking in my post. What can we do about it? Unfortunately the whole discussion took a different turn and we have one group saying “YES, we do not have a variety in blogs” and another group defending “IT DOESN’T MATTTER”
ammu.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Amutha,
Maybe we can get those Putera MIC guys to go around in Universities to explain that Uni students also should start to do some blogging…I mean non-political blogging…
But seriously, maybe one possible way is for MIB committee like yourself and the others can simply give some intro talks in Indian-based societies/functions. Don’t ask me which one..I am a bit out of touch. Just a two cent worth of suggestion, to make MIB matter.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 am
Good Idea by Tzarina for Putera MIC
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
“Lets say I ask you - what are your interests apart from your current blog theme? Does that interest worth blogging? Is it possible for you to come up with another blog of a different genre? What would you say? ”
Oooo thats a tough one Ammu. I used to write crap in my Friendster blog, and erm.. still write some crap on my current one at blogger.
You see, my current blog is really a personal blog. But its just more often than not I tend to have outbursts on SOPO issues. I once wrote about a conspiracy theory which Novin is selflessly spreading the news for me, for which I am grateful for. But yea other than that, don’t think any of my interests will be worth blogging for.
Metaphysics anyone? *winks*
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
@ tzarina
thanks for the idea!
@ sactyr
well, i’m sure one day you would start another blog of another theme
as for me, its health and i own a small health blog (www.nutritoday.blogspot.com). visit it when u r free (this is not an ad :P)
ammu.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
i should start brand new blog about human’s life after earth destroyed by man made boms in future!
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
To be honest, I blog because I think someone will read what I have to say and make a change in their lives.
Even if that doesn’t happen, it’s just to get the frustration off my chest.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
To Sactyr : Just helping u bro
lol