< megans_blather_paper megan Changing The World One Person At A Time A fellow Blatherskite, DannyH, said it best, “Blather makes the world a better place because it is a better place.” A website a little like a forum, and a little like a diary, Blather shapes to fit what the individual needs. Blathering is not a common term to many. It’s a verb, defined as, “...talking in an unintelligent or inane manner, especially at length” (Encarta World English Dictionary). Since, a person blathering must have a title, the name “blatherskite” was given, and is defined as, “somebody who likes to chat about silly or unimportant things” (Encarta World English Dictionary). With the Blather website, a Blatherskite has been given the opportunity to literally start over with this new identity, they may choose their words in order to define themselves. They may feel respected for their carefully chosen words, and savor the awe in the reaction they receive. The creator, Dallas, listed some characteristics of Blather he feels are important. “I think it appeals to solitary journal-style writers as well as the more social message-board style writers. It works on both levels at once...” When visiting the site, the viewer is immediately confronted with a navy blue screen with light blue words. The words read as follows, “blather is words. bunches of words, strewn about in a twisty tangly web of pontification, insight and nonsensical delight. but really it’s an experiment to see what shape this will take when left at your mercy. take a gander and let us know what you think.” (bl_a_th_e_r) Other Blatherskites have different opinions on what Blather actually is; shnizelcheese, for example, calls it “...a platform for people to say what they want....”, and another, McDougall claims that “Blather has opened up to [him] a new love for writing and has showed [him] that writing is, in its own way, a fantastic and amazing form of art.” The creation of Blather was partially accidental, beginning as a small website being built by Dallas. He mentioned the idea to a friend, Sage, who created software for it, and has been history ever since. Like the website says, it was an experiment. When asked about his feelings on the results so far to this experiment, Dallas claims it has far exceeded his expectations. For example he did not foresee the use of Blather as a message board. Changes to make Blather better are few, but they include making a system where people could create their own Blather sites and splitting very long words into multiple pages. One change that has already occurred is the addition of Blather red, a “sister” to Blather blue, in order to have a fresh place to write (Dallas). A place of words and emotions and ideas, Blather creates a new form of communication. Communication is a must in the world today. Phones, e-mails, talking, chat, TV basically anything we can think of has communication involved in some major way. There’s one problem with these forms, though; I like to call this problem “closed communication”. “Societies have always been shaped more by the nature of the media by which [people] communicate than by the content of the communication...” (cube). We all have reputations. This is one aspect of closed communication. We have names and numbers and looks that can depict us from a crowd. We have families and friends and significant others to please. Even to people we don’t know, we have to appear interesting! With this reputation comes the responsibility to uphold it. The argument that a physical diary would suffice, and provide the same service as Blather, is destroyed with this fact, that someone sometime will read it. Anonymity also serves in this department, being that even if someone were to find your words by chance, they wouldn’t really know they were yours. Another aspect of closed communication is our lack of ways to describe something. Blather destroys that problem with its alphabetical lists of words and phrases that many people have created to describe anything and everything ever conceived before them. Open communication is exactly what Blather offers. ever dumbening, in a personal interview, wrote, “Blather provides a universe of emotions from perspectives of intelligent, illuminant, and insightful anons [sic]. A glistening opportunity to dabble in a world where I can be percieved [sic] however, and as whomever I choose.” The first aspect of open communication we come across is the abolishment of reputations. The Blatherskite chooses his/her words, and his/her name, and therefore basically controls what a reader thinks of him/her. This leaves the Blatherskite with a much freer communication opportunity. What’s left is thousands of words to choose, and that’s all one can be judged by. “it’s safe, unlike so many other areas of my life. there’s no one i can vent all my feelings to [ ] i can rant and rage and say things I had never had the courage to say before. sometimes i wish i could erase some blathes, but i cant [sic], and that’s good because they remind me that i *am* capable of such emotion, that i don’t really hafta [sic] be stepped on all the time...” Syrope claims. This brings us to our second aspect of open communication, the introduction of new ideas in an open environment. Blatherskites read individual’s thoughts that they never would have read or understood otherwise (Sabbie). Blather creates that environment, where people from all over the world read what you have written and respond, though not in a harshly critical way. Alvarny states that, “The wonderful thing about Blather is that the general public has kept malicious criticism to a bare minimum. It is wonderful to have a place where the value of dialogue can be realized.” So, viewpoints are acquired from every walk of life, bringing us, as the world, together as a whole. One may wonder why someone would want to Blather. There are many reasons why, starting with the first, the discovery of it, which by many is “...a Fluke and im [sic] glad i have so much to say about all the amazing topics and endless words that can be elaborated on...” (shnizelcheese). Many Blatherskites found Blather by randomly typing something they were interested in into a search engine and fell in love at first sight. Safety is a big issue with Blatherskites. Many feel safer writing there, than even speaking with a best friend or family member. They feel there is a lack of judgment and criticism at Blather, which gives them courage to say things they would never had said otherwise, have emotions not felt otherwise, and record memories. Blathering gets so intense sometimes, that it blocks out all the rest of the world and one’s life, which is quite nice. As I stated before, Blather is open communication. It is also described as “...back handed communication. not-quite discussing things with shadows-of-people who i will only ever know their chosen name, their chosen words...” (Sabbie). Opposite of what normal conversations in the physical world are, Blather conversations take place over a time frame that could be weeks even months. If a Blatherskite isn’t there for the conversation, he/she doesn’t miss out still, all the words are carefully saved for later retrieval by anyone. (tildan) Another reason to Blather is simply the emotions one acquires by it. By sharing painful and joyous experiences with others, these experiences are easier to deal with. By putting these into words, it’s an outlet, which is a basic human need. Finding people sharing the same burden lets one realize that he/she is not alone, there are, in fact, many out there going through the same trials and tribulations. This creative writing is also expeditious, great for busy lives and no time. Some Blatherskites even claim the blue pages are comforting. Along with the opportunity to read others’ thoughts, comes the opportunity for a Blatherskite to post some of their own. pipedream enjoys this aspect because she can “...pop off all the odd little thoughts that wander into [her] brain and not have to explain ‘where that came from’”. If a Blatherskite has a new interesting idea, they can post it and never have to know if “...anyone reads them or not...” (Sabbie). A Blatherskite can check back to the post if desired, and read the thoughts of others on the same subject. Also, “Putting [one’s] thoughts onto Blather is like life, once [one’s] thoughts are out in words on the page, [one] can no longer take them out, they will be out there for almost forever” (Alvarny). The main problem many see with Blather is elitism. Many Blatherskites “...feel that having a large volume of visotors [sic] would make a difference in the experience of Blather: quality or otherwise” (ClairE). These visitors also pose a threat to the quality of the work in Blather, many Blatherskites feel that they and they only can write up to the standards that Blather has been accustomed to. Blather, although elitist at times, is in no way a closed community, though, many new Blatherskites enter every day. Through these new Blatherskites come, new points of view, new friends, sharing of cultures, new experiences, and ultimately appreciation of people. This appreciation of people is exactly what will make the world a better place. Changing the world is a huge job, but Blather can do it. By focusing on improving each and every person, one at a time, the world will slowly improve. By embracing this open communication, we are embracing people. All people should use Blather, or something equivalent to it, to have more open communication and therefore, a better world. 030413 ... User24 very very very nice. You've got the feel of blather to a 't' well done. bows down to you. 030414 ... User24 and you're right, blue is comforting, I'd not thought about it before, but it was my favorite colour as a child. 030414 ... ever dumbening let the blather_history books show: i did not say the quote attributed to me. Veritatus Proscubius Proctus (truly i love scooby snacks up my ass) 030414 ... megan i think many of my quotes were attributed to the wrong people. i feel horrible. i am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, and hope to God my teacher does not e-mail any of you to ask whether or not it is your quote. 030414 ... sabbie its a university paper. if your teacher does ask us questions, we shall all lie cheerfully. ahh, it takes me back... nurse! NURSE! bedpan!! . . . too late.... 030414 ... pipedream yay! momma, im famous! *grin* 030414 ... DannyH "DannyH said it best." Can I quote you on that? 030415 ... megan sure thing DannyH :) thank you sabbie!!! 030415 ... ferret VERY NICE!!!!!!!! I quite enjoyed reading it. and you're right! blue is comforting! everything you said was true, hope you get an A+! 030415 ... sylphide all the best megan, a wonderful paper indeed :) 030416 ... User24 agrees with ferret, tell us what grade you get, ja? 030420 ... megan i will tell :) and im hopin for that a+ too!! 030420 ... Syrope i'm FAMOUS! get it, me :) awesome paper Megan! :) 030421 ... User24 still gradeless? 030622 ... screwing for virginity i loved it. 1 question though (dont worry it is a genral question). i read alot and i have never figured out what [sic] means. could someone please tell me. (p.s. im sorry about any confusion on spelling or meaning, but i am running on 2 meals and 4 hours of sleep in the last 3 days.) 030622 ... User24 I don't know what it -actually- means, it's probally latin, but it means that the spelling error was original, for instance, if you said "helo you", and I was to quote you, I could say "screwing for virginty said 'helo [sic] you'" comprendez? 030622 ... User24 megan? u around? if so, tell us what grade u got?? 030704 ... megan it means spelling error mla style... i'm still around :) and i got a 98 on my paper! 030704 ... pipedream YAAYY!!! *confetti and balloons and other yay things* oh, so THAT'S what sic means...i didn't see that in the mla thing...hahaha live and learn ;) 030705 ... User24 I take it that's good (I'm english and as such have no idea about your marking scheme over there (I assume you're American?) if it's 98% then very well done indeed!) 030705 ... megan sorry user24, completely forgot about the whole you being english thing it means 98% very astonishing indeed 030705 ... karl the weed i love it. good thing you got a good grade, or we wouldve come after your teacher! 031117 ... u24 wow, 98% is very impressive. well done muchly again! 031117 ... Strideo excellent! very insightful. ... 031117 ... celestias shadow awesome job. your paper rocks. I think you definitely explained blather well to someone who isn't part of our scary little world.