And the winner is…

March 11, 2003

The Third Annual Bloggies were announced last night, which has given me a number of new sites to add to my “Stuff I Should Look At” folder (growing steadily every day). I was happy to see Blogrolling.com take home an award, and even more pleased to see Moveable Type come out on top in the best blog application category. The best article or essay about weblogs went to Mark Pilgrim for “30 Days To A More Accessible Blog.” I do have a faint recollection of reading this, although I should probably revisit it soon. I’m sure I fail on many accounts, but c’est la vie.

:: Filtering by moral accountability - now that’s a novel approach.

Instead of relying on filters, the approach, which NetAccountability has been pitching primarily to religious groups, calls for Web users to share records of their online activity. Users pick a friend, spouse or other confidant who receives a regular report showing which sites they visit, highlighting potentially objectionable material.

The idea, according to Cotter, is that people will choose not to visit “sinful” websites if they know a close friend or family member will be aware of their actions. [Wired]

Never underestimate the power of a good ol’ shaming. “Covington said the service, which costs about $4 a month, has attracted close to 12,000 users since its launch in October.” So let me get this straight, because I can’t trust myself or someone I love, I’m going to pay $4 bucks a month to my neighbour or friend to have them see all the sites I’m viewing and reading, all so that I can be overun by feelings of guilt if the highlighted content should happen to be something that they may not like. *I tell you what* - here’s my offer to anyone that wants to take me up on it, feel free to send me 4 bucks a month (certified cheque is fine) with a printout of your browser history, and I’ll be happy to regularly remind you of your sins as I see fit. Heck, I’ll even do it for $3.50 (plus GST…would there be entertainment tax on that as well??). For $30, I might even come stand over your shoulder at the public library.
::: Filters are not a substitute for education and a little rational thought.

Posted in Blogosphere, Censorship, Moveable Type