Dear Mr. and Mrs. Blogging Program...

Hello,

Could you please let me know how to withdraw from your blogging program? I have deep concerns about Klout and the idea of social influence when it comes to blogging. (The program decided that what books would be available to me would be determined by my "Klout".) Mars Hill Audio had a great discussion of this in this issue: http://www.marshillaudio.org/Resources/Issue.aspx?id=108 (the last two essays on Part 2). As a Christian and as a blogger, my goal is not to be branded or to seek greater social influence. It is to do what God has set before me--to spread the word about good books I find, not for selfish gain (or influence) but that other believers might be encouraged as well.

In Christ,

Anne

This is the letter I emailed to a blogging program tonight in response to an email I received from the publisher informing me that they would be using Klout to determine individual blogger's social influence and using that determination to then determine the selection of books I would be offered the choice to review.

The letter explains a little about how I feel about it. Honestly, it deeply grieves me. The idea of "social influence" that a blogger might have unsettles me. I wish I could do the audio essays from Mars Hill justice. If you are interested in this topic, You can download the MP3 of the issue for only $6. For people like me ;) who don't have time to read the books these authors have written, Mars Hill is a great way to hear their ideas... But, back to the topic at hand--social media influence.

Have you heard of Klout? I hadn't until this week. Klout basically monitors social media outlets (facebook, twitter, linkedin, foursquare (?), and google and wordpress accounts) to determine one's social influence and the effectiveness of one's words (how much power your words have)--I think that basically means how much people follow their advice and ideas. It eerily makes me think of the forming of idols.

A few months ago, my husband had me listen to that episode of Mars Hill Audio while on a date. We discussed the idea of branding bloggers. Neither he nor I wanted my blogging to go that way. I blog because I want to encourage others and share what I'm reading. I want to share the ups and downs along the way, I can't always say exactly why, except that it comforts me when I know I'm not alone in my struggles--that others have been there. So, I assume that someone else might be going through what I'm going through and that me sharing my struggles (and joys) might encourage them as well.

The danger of online blogging for this reason is that it can threaten to take the place of real, face-to-face relationships. One of the positive things about moving for me has been the change I've seen in my computer habits. I am much less drawn to the internet. I generally post less on my blogs and facebook. The computer doesn't feel like it's as needed for me. It has also helped to have my mom living with us. I have an adult in the house that I can discuss what I'm thinking with throughout the day.

Speaking of which, my kids and husband are reading the Chronicles of Narnia and I need to go be present!

Missing Pieces

The other day I was discussing a book with my mom and explaining to her my concern about how "blame" is cast upon the child in the story. My mom commented about how deeply I read and consider what is written. Sometimes I wonder if I go overboard. Am I questioning too much? Am I overreacting? Why am I reacting this way? I come back to knowing that God wired me this way. But, I also reflect on how God has guided my path through the maze of books I've read over the past few years and what I've learned from the books themselves and from reading them. Recently, I read a book that troubled me. The book I finished reading was Guiltless Living by Ginger Hubbard. When I began reading it, I found myself puzzled and then disconcerted. And in the end, I cried. But, I cried for a different reason than one might suspect. I'd like to explain. I did not read Ms. Hubbard's previous book “ Don't Make Me Count to Three ”, but I knew from f...

listening or rather not listening to directions...

This week has been very eye opening. I am observing and noticing what I need to learn in order to be a better homeschooling mom and teacher and what my daughter needs to learn to be a good homeschooling student. My weakness when I was a teacher in a first grade classroom was not understanding how small concepts had to be broken down--and I lost my patience very quickly. This week, in particular today, I am seeing how detailed my directions need to be. I am going to be working very consciously and deliberately on this. On the other hand, I realized that my daughter does not listen! Wowsers! In a classroom, Autumn listens very well. She is a compliant child and very influenced by peer pressure and conformity. So, she listens along with everyone else and follows directions. But, at home, it's just Autumn and maybe Sami and Mommy. Very, very different! I had forgotten that most of kindergarten in the public schools is not focused on teaching students academic and learning co...

Writing A Homeschool Teacher Resume

I'm helping a friend who's switching jobs write a resume. She hasn't written one in years, so this is something new. I began working on her resume, but then stopped to write my own because I thought it might be helpful. Being a homeschool teacher may not seem to many like an occupation or career, but it is. I used the combined form of resume for myself. I began with the basic information, then moved on to strengths (the combined skills/experience part), education, Occupational Experience, then Related Experience, Certifications, Computer Skills, and mentioned at the end... References Available Upon Request. Sometimes homeschooling parents have to reenter the workplace because of family changes and needs. How could you express what you've been doing in a way that's acceptable for a resume? Well, here's my take on it... Teacher, Homeschool ...

love to paint

Search This Blog