Since I haven't been blogging about blogging enough lately, allow me to share Alex Pang's comments on Pro-Ams -- people pursuing amateur activities to professional standards -- which is covered in a British think tank report:
In the past few years, we've seen a number of claims that new technologies or technology-enabled phenomena are leveling the playing field between professionals and amateurs. The interpretation of blogging, and in particular of political blogging, as a bottom-up response to professional journalism is but the latest incarnation of this trend-- though it's interesting to note that this is an occasion in which the term "professional" is used as an epithet: it's right up there with "elitist." (I've also written about blogging and the Victorian concept of the amateur here.)
Perhaps the civility that Anil is complaining about calling for, is setting Pro-Am standards. Or maybe it just wanting to live in a good neighborhood.
