I Still Like Simple Single-Author Blogs

Jan, at TheViewfromHer, comments on the changes happening in the blogging world. Many blogs, like that of Michelle Malkin, are becoming multimedia feasts involving the talents of many different people.

This is in line with another big trend to which Jan alludes: group blogging.

I understand why some bloggers would prefer such an approach, feeling that being one contributor among several will decrease the pressure on them to produce interesting posts and perhaps, enhance those posts' quality. But, for the most part, I find group blogs a bit disconcerting; I like the idiosyncracies and peculiar emphases of a single voice.

In the meantime, another of my Godblogging colleagues, Charlie Lehardy of AnotherThink, has announced that in addition to his personal blog, he'll soon be participating in a group blog.

Back in June, Ann Althouse had an excellent post on the group-blog trend. The comments I made there still express my view of the phenomenon:

Frankly, Ann, because of the amount and diversity of original writing you do on your blog, I've always thought of it in the same way, on good days, [that] I think of my own: A group blog written by an individual.

But because they're written by individuals, they have unique voices which may more easily allow people to connect with them.

Few group blogs seem to foster this. They tend to overwhelm one with content and to under-communicate for lack of a coherent voice.

There are exceptions, of course. But this seems to be the case with most group blogs.

I liked Ann's response:

Mark: Thanks. Excellent point. That expresses exactly the problem I'd be concerned with if I group-blogged. I can just look back at the things I wrote on this blog when I was guest-blogging on Instapundit to see that. I wouldn't simul-blog Halloween over there. I wouldn't do multi-photo posts (with the exception of the Kerry rallly). I couldn't say quirky things about "American Idol." Or if I did, I'd have this extra layer of thinking about whether it's right. And if I had a partner here trying to do a similar mix with me, it would necessarily change the mix even if they tried to do a similar mix. I'd have to think about them thinking about what constitutes being the appropriately in tune with me and that would change me.

Group-blogging and multimedia blogs built around blogging superstars are here to stay, of course. So, too, I think, are simple blogs by individuals. Let thirty-million flowers bloom!