the blog, sorry BIG, discussion

It's true...blogging is turning into quite the discussion. Newspaper journalists write articles on it. There are special blogging awards for it. Etcetera etcetera etcetera.
But some of us (well, three of us) here in my place of work (by the way, things here do not neccessarily reflect or represent the views of the said organisation!) have been having our own little blog debate. It's been going on for a short while now, since I started chatting to Ken (in charge of our website) about the possibility of an organisational/departmental blog. The main participants have been Ken(head of website) and Adrian (my editor and head of publications) - me always being copied in, seeing as my desk sits in between them and I am one of just two people (that I know of) here with a blog. But never having the time to respond much!
Anyway - I thought I'd copy the brief beginnings of a (quite tongue-in-cheek) discussion here for your viewing pleasure...unfortunately I deleted much former 'blog correspondance' from my inbox. I'll keep hold of it from now on and post it up here.

Ken, 13th June:
WEBLOG WATCH The Magazine's review of blogs By Alan Connor
There was a time when an economic conference would be covered mainly in the financial pages, and snoozed through by the rest of the world. But with the Make Poverty History campaign putting the G8 summit in the mainstream, and with blogs making everyone a potential world trade expert, it's going to be more interesting this time.
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4088584.stm

Adrian, 13th June:
Here's a topic for a web log in its own right: Are weblogs a) destroying the need for commentators on the world (eg journalists etc), and b) undermining the role of experts (eg specialists (like ACE, World Vision UK))? That is, will anybody read the materials we produce and see them as credible when so much additional information, points of view are available; who do you believe, trust?

Ken, 13th June:
On the basis that most message boards, blogs, house groups etc. normally demonstrate a pooling of ignorance, the place for the expert will always exist.The information 'brand' will always win through which is why even in the age of unprecedented information the BBC is still the measure by which most other news broadcasters are measured.

Adrian, 17th June:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4099802.stm

Amy, 17th June:
I think the 2 of you should start up a 'blog on blogging' - then everyone could comment, chip-in!!http://www.blogspot.com/ :o)

Adrian, 17th June:
If I did I'd do it as a newspaper.

Amy, 17th June:
You are a true rebel!

Adrian, 17th June:
Well us 'oldies' have to let you 'youngies' know that you don't have a hold on subversive behaviour, at swimming against the tide.
Any views or opinions about age contained in this e-mail are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ken or Amy, in fact the author may not really believe them either.