The Dish Is (kind of) Like Political Facebook

"A Series of Blog Critiques: the Good, the Bad, and the Bloggy"

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/

Let’s get one thing straight: Sullivan’s smart and he knows it. His brief bursts of political pith are equal parts entertainment and information; I feel like I’m looking at a very politically minded friend’s Facebook page.

Sullivan likes to “live blog” at political events, writing a time-stamped post about every twenty minutes (a sort of Twitter-like status update).

It’s a great approach that allows readers to get a sort of play-by-play insight from a knowledgeable source.

Still, something about it feels kind of like that guy sitting next to you in the movie theater that freaks out every time Nolan throws another plot twist in Inception­ (shocker!).

Sullivan is also a huge fan of using his posts as a sort of vignette for quotes, videos, and pictures from other Internet sources. He likes to include various charts or graphs, letting someone else run the numbers and then guiding readers to the facts that they might not have found on their own - journalism at its core.

Sullivan gives himself street cred by showing that he’s in the know, keeping tabs on other writers, political commentators, and every politician at every conference.

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As for "A Series of Blog Critiques: the Good, the Bad, and the Bloggy,"

All of this, 

Sincerely,

Someone with absolutely no credibility or weight to her words on the blogging world.

Emma 

Howard Fineman Writes (kind of) Like a Senator After Happy Hour

"A Series of Blog Critiques: the Good, the Bad, and the Bloggy"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-fineman/

Like a seasoned senator, Fineman has a wonderful sense of the workings of the political world. He trades in the finesse of political banter for vivacious wit. Fineman gets straight to the point of what he feels you need to know in each situation or with each politician. (…So more like a senator a long day and a few Scotches later)

He’ll compare Obama to Moses, paint a picture of the First Lady grooving to Stevie Wonder, and call out lazy, self-indulgent political mongers.

As a college kid, I’ll tell you that his titles could use some work. But maybe that’s how he draws in a different demographic of his readers; you know, the more politically linguistic, older folks?

It seems that Huffington Post drinks their own blogging how-to Kool Aid. Fineman exemplifies the passion, pith, and professionalism that The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging encourages bloggers to embrace.

Gizmodo Is (kind of) Like a Sassy Teenager

"A Series of Blog Critiques: the Good, the Bad, and the Bloggy"

http://gizmodo.com/

The conversation switches from ice cream to the new iPhone to Jerry Seinfeld in a matter of minutes.  Welcome the sassy teenager of the tech world. Gizmodo is primarily a source for tech-minded individuals to get the latest on the good, the bad, and the pixelated.

Though I myself fall into the “technologically challenged” category, I am still entertained by new inventions, prototype products, and disgruntled consumer rants. I am sure, however, that there are many people who are absolutely thrilled to discuss the latest thing-a-ma-bob that fixes that computer whatsitcalled.

Gizmodo is fabulously tailored to its audience but is also an inviting place for a concerned consumer doing some basic tech research.  So though, in metaphoric terms, you might be glad not to spend a whole lot of time with that annoying neighbor kid and their loud techno toys, it’s sure nice to know that they can fix your WiFi for you.

Well Is (kind of) Like Gossip Girl Meets Web MD

"A Series of Blog Critiques: the Good, the Bad, and the Bloggy"

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/

Well, well. Imagine you’re going for a jog with a friend. The conversation casually takes a turn from that outfit you wore to the party last week to how frustrated you were with how unusually tight it felt.

Now, if you’re friend has been reading Well, be prepared for any variety of latest studies on organic foods, the negative effects of that inhaler you’ve been using your whole life, or the fitness program you should try.

None of these things alone is necessarily frustrating or even bad news. It’s the combination of urgency and wishy-washiness that overwhelms readers of NY Times wellness blog.

Don’t get me wrong. Health is hugely important and a diabetes-ridden country like America certainly needs all of the help it can get. But certainly there is a better approach to spreading the news about important health facts than creating a scare with shocking finds and then leaving the reader without any hope.

Well should provide their readers with more practical health tips and information that is, additionally instead of initially, tied to studies and proven research.

For now, I feel like I’ve just heard the latest gossip, even from an eyewitness, but have been given no way to help the situation.

David Roberts' Blogging Is (kind of) Like Global Warming

"A Series of Blog Critiques: the Good, the Bad, and the Bloggy"

http://grist.org/author/david-roberts/

Roberts’ blog is like global climate change - slow and without known cause. Sure, it’s vital to be aware of the current state of environmental issues. It would make sense that Roberts’ true passion would be to spread a sense of urgency about the need to take care of our planet to the Internet-using population. However, Roberts takes a slow, formal, bogged down approach to writing, masking any passion that he may once have had.

Dear David Roberts,

Anyone with four dollars and a mild interest in blogging can purchase The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging. I suggest that you do just that. And please please read the bold sentences on pages 84 and 91: “Rule #7: Write Short” (you, sir, write very much not short) and “Rule #3: Write Like You Speak” (I sincerely hope for all those around you that you do not actually speak like you write). That is all.