What I Mean By Being An "Information Filter"
Apr 29 2008 
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Jarred of Tropophilia has a unique response to a conversation started by Steven Hodson and one that I also supplied my thoughts about (see: Be A Great Human Information Filter). To quote Jarred’s post:
But Steve states that bloggers can be “most useful” by essentially filtering information for readers. Our task, he says, is to master the online tools of aggregation and organization in order to let you know what’s important. Or, as Corvida puts it:
If you use any type of social media to share information, you’re contributing to the filtering process. If you blog, you’re contributing to the filtering process, while also adding to what could be noise for some.
Is that really filtering, though? Because I am writing a post about this topic rather than the potential Yahoo!-Microsoft merger, does that mean that this topic is more important or interesting than that? Nope. Besides, dozens if not hundreds of other blogs will choose to write about Yahoo!-Microsoft instead. If one hundred bloggers are presented with one hundred topics on which to write, and each chooses a different one, then is anything really being filtered?
I bolded one of the questions that Jarred asked that this post will respond to.
Everything Is Filtered
If each blogger wrote about a different topic, it would all be filtered or a type of filtering. However, the filtering is determined by the bloggers audience and if a visitor doesn’t want to hear about the MSFT-Yahoo merger shenanigans, but would be more than happy to hear about say, a Twitter app, then the blogger who writes about the Twitter app over the other story is in essence filtering for that or those particular visitor(s). This is why we don’t write about everything and why we have niches: to help with the filtering process.
We Filter For Our Audience And Their Interests
We filter for our audience. OUR audience. No, bloggers don’t own an audience and I am no way stating that. However, those that subscribe to SheGeeks.net, that follow me on social networks, they’re apart of my audience. In my opinion, I feel that I cater to them and help them find content, sites, and services that cater to their interests and in turn I am their information filter.
Who Are You A Filter For?
All in all, everything is filtered, at least online it is. The issue then becomes who are you a filter for? It’s about who you’re catering to, which is based on what you’re writing about. We’re all filters in our own way, but more so in the eyes of our audience.
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Hi Corvida. First, I want you to know that I think you and your blog are great and are a major contribution to the blogosphere, and I'm honored that you even mentioned Tropophilia!
I think you're absolutely right that, at the level of one blog and its audience, there is definitely a filtering effect. In theory, a blog has a topic (be it broad or narrow), and an audience (a recurring readership) comes to that blog to read about that topic. There is filtering involved because a blogger in that topic cannot possibly cover everything in that topic. I definitely do not deny the existence or necessity of filtering on the individual blog level! Sometimes it's hard enough for me to filter down all the topics I want to write about to one or two posts, and have enough time to do my real job!
But where I most disagree with Steven is where he implies (if he doesn't directly state) that the web 2.0 tools being developed today (Google Reader, FriendFeed, etc.) should be mostly used and mastered by bloggers, and that “general users” of the web should rely on bloggers to “manage their daily information flow” for them. I don't disagree that bloggers are filters for their audiences… but I do disagree that bloggers should be the only places users go for information and news online. That theory removes the general Internet user yet another degree from raw information. The promise of FriendFeed, Twitter, Google Reader, Twine, Me.dium, and the dozens of other aggregators and organizers is that everyone can find everything. Bloggers can get them started, and maybe some readers will indeed stop at their favorite bloggers. But the great thing about the Internet is its inherent democracy and openness. I don't want to see readers get too lazy and rely on blogs like ours for all their information (but readers, please DO stop by!).
I don't think we should be a filter. I think we should be a layer. As I mentioned in a follow-up comment on Tropophilia, I think the better word instead of “filter” is “beacon” or “prism.” We guide people to information, and give it a spin or perspective… but far be it from us to select what becomes “public” and what does not.
In the end, of course, I wholly admit that my objections are all based on semantics. You and I (and Steven) all essentially agree, I think… it is just my concern and hope that “general” Internet users don't become lazy and rely on bloggers to do the hard work for them when it comes to finding information on the web. Public knowledge and opinion “off the grid” is so influenced and almost controlled by media today — I don't want the blogosphere to follow suit.
I see now. Thanks for the clarification and you're absolutely right, bloggers shouldn't be solely relied upon for information management. That would be a huge mistake on the users part. As bloggers, we should in no way feel obligated to master these tools either. We should be free to use them however we wish without consequence because these tools are for US first and foremost. I definitely agree with you on that! :)
However, Steven put into perspective for me that when you blog and put information out there for others to consume, you do become a “layer” that others rely on and in turn, your role changes a bit. Also, I know I've consciously shared certain things that even though I like, I felt would be more beneficial for my audience and those that are following me. I think that happens with quite a few bloggers actually, especially when your fan base picks up. It no longer becomes about you, nor do you play a major part anymore. There is a shift to the audience that begins to take place. And though it shouldn't, I'm not sure if we can really help it.
As for major media today, they've made a lot of people quite lazy to the point where they will rely on bloggers for everything, just like how they rely on news reporters on TV, unfortunately. We're entering an extremely lazy era that's all about “gimme gimme gimme” without “me” having to do any work. It's absolutely astounding and I think that might be something that Steven was also trying to get it.
Layer, filter…I don't really care much for terms these days because they're always changing, yet essentially mean the same thing. People misconstrue them all the time regardless of what you call it. However, I do like your term better than filter. We should be a layer, but to some extent we are filtering. Catch 22?
Catch 22, indeed! I guess I like layer rather than filter because it implies guidance and addition rather than selection and blocking. Does that make any sense?
And I suppose I'll just have to wait 'til our audience picks up for the focus to turn off of us. :) But I do see what you mean, because there is a desire (if not an obligation) to give readers what they want. Supply and demand!
Yes, I can see the difference in terms. Layer definitely sounds friendlier and more human. Filtering just reminds me of a machine.
Supply and demand. It can be a bitch sometimes, but I think with the right audience, it can take us all to an entirely different level. :)
I don't think that I ever stated that bloggers should be the end all be all for information for our readers – if I did then I am sorry. As with every other form of communication it is inherent upon the reader to use all the resources at their disposal to forumlate – express – defend or even change their opinions. Bloggers are only one such source.
The thing is that as bloggers fine tune their abilities to provide coherent and reasonable points of discussions a sense of trust develops between the reader and the bloggers so at some point the reader will first look to the blogger as their starting point.
As far as the tools point journalists, columnists or any other such person that writes for mass consumption has for as long as there has been print done their very best to get to know their tools of their craft. For journalists it could be the inside source or it could even be the reference library or the hall of public records. Those are tools just as for the blogger things like Google, FriendFeed, Twitter or even their fellow bloggers are all in a sense tools that we need to use to make what we provide our readers with better content.
AS far as the word filter is concerned it doesn't matter – it is all semantics. You can use any word you want as long as the end product is that you provide your readers with clear and honest interpretations of things you find important. For me filter works .. for you maybe beacon works .. it really doesn't matter in the end does it as long as our readers are happy and have learned something or at least started on a road to learning something they feel is important.
The moment we cross that line to professionalism and begin to consider what we are doing everyday as something we feel is important the shift will happen Corvida. It is a natural progression and one I don't think that you can stop – other than quiting :)
But why wouldn't users go to these tools first instead of visiting us first?
Wouldn't you want to formulate an opinion for yourself first and foremost?
But Corvida that is where the whole trust factor comes in. I am sure that
you have readers who trust you to give them the straight goods on something.
That trust has come over a period of time. People will always gravitate to
trusted source first before going off into the wild woods of the unknown :)
Gotcha gotcha. I knew there was a reason I liked you so much.
careful you'll make me blush :)
Agreed, across the board! I knew we were all on the same page, but just speaking different languages. :P
lol well that's a good way to put it. I agree though, same concept,
different perspectives on how to accomplish the concept or theory?
Quitting is for quitters :P
Right on, waitin' for it! Hope some of your readers and followers will check us out and maybe subscribe (forgive my shameless plugging? :). Thanks for the convo tonight, look forward to continuing on this and other topics. Right now, bed time.
I don't think that I ever stated that bloggers should be the end all be all for information for our readers – if I did then I am sorry. As with every other form of communication it is inherent upon the reader to use all the resources at their disposal to forumlate – express – defend or even change their opinions. Bloggers are only one such source.
The thing is that as bloggers fine tune their abilities to provide coherent and reasonable points of discussions a sense of trust develops between the reader and the bloggers so at some point the reader will first look to the blogger as their starting point.
As far as the tools point journalists, columnists or any other such person that writes for mass consumption has for as long as there has been print done their very best to get to know their tools of their craft. For journalists it could be the inside source or it could even be the reference library or the hall of public records. Those are tools just as for the blogger things like Google, FriendFeed, Twitter or even their fellow bloggers are all in a sense tools that we need to use to make what we provide our readers with better content.
AS far as the word filter is concerned it doesn't matter – it is all semantics. You can use any word you want as long as the end product is that you provide your readers with clear and honest interpretations of things you find important. For me filter works .. for you maybe beacon works .. it really doesn't matter in the end does it as long as our readers are happy and have learned something or at least started on a road to learning something they feel is important.
The moment we cross that line to professionalism and begin to consider what we are doing everyday as something we feel is important the shift will happen Corvida. It is a natural progression and one I don't think that you can stop – other than quiting :)
But why wouldn't users go to these tools first instead of visiting us first?
Wouldn't you want to formulate an opinion for yourself first and foremost?
But Corvida that is where the whole trust factor comes in. I am sure that
you have readers who trust you to give them the straight goods on something.
That trust has come over a period of time. People will always gravitate to
trusted source first before going off into the wild woods of the unknown :)
Gotcha gotcha. I knew there was a reason I liked you so much.
careful you'll make me blush :)
Agreed, across the board! I knew we were all on the same page, but just speaking different languages. :P
lol well that's a good way to put it. I agree though, same concept,
different perspectives on how to accomplish the concept or theory?
Quitting is for quitters :P
Right on, waitin' for it! Hope some of your readers and followers will check us out and maybe subscribe (forgive my shameless plugging? :). Thanks for the convo tonight, look forward to continuing on this and other topics. Right now, bed time.
Hi Corvida. First, I want you to know that I think you and your blog are great and are a major contribution to the blogosphere, and I'm honored that you even mentioned Tropophilia!
I think you're absolutely right that, at the level of one blog and its audience, there is definitely a filtering effect. In theory, a blog has a topic (be it broad or narrow), and an audience (a recurring readership) comes to that blog to read about that topic. There is filtering involved because a blogger in that topic cannot possibly cover everything in that topic. I definitely do not deny the existence or necessity of filtering on the individual blog level! Sometimes it's hard enough for me to filter down all the topics I want to write about to one or two posts, and have enough time to do my real job!
But where I most disagree with Steven is where he implies (if he doesn't directly state) that the web 2.0 tools being developed today (Google Reader, FriendFeed, etc.) should be mostly used and mastered by bloggers, and that “general users” of the web should rely on bloggers to “manage their daily information flow” for them. I don't disagree that bloggers are filters for their audiences… but I do disagree that bloggers should be the only places users go for information and news online. That theory removes the general Internet user yet another degree from raw information. The promise of FriendFeed, Twitter, Google Reader, Twine, Me.dium, and the dozens of other aggregators and organizers is that everyone can find everything. Bloggers can get them started, and maybe some readers will indeed stop at their favorite bloggers. But the great thing about the Internet is its inherent democracy and openness. I don't want to see readers get too lazy and rely on blogs like ours for all their information (but readers, please DO stop by!).
I don't think we should be a filter. I think we should be a layer. As I mentioned in a follow-up comment on Tropophilia, I think the better word instead of “filter” is “beacon” or “prism.” We guide people to information, and give it a spin or perspective… but far be it from us to select what becomes “public” and what does not.
In the end, of course, I wholly admit that my objections are all based on semantics. You and I (and Steven) all essentially agree, I think… it is just my concern and hope that “general” Internet users don't become lazy and rely on bloggers to do the hard work for them when it comes to finding information on the web. Public knowledge and opinion “off the grid” is so influenced and almost controlled by media today — I don't want the blogosphere to follow suit.
I see now. Thanks for the clarification and you're absolutely right, bloggers shouldn't be solely relied upon for information management. That would be a huge mistake on the users part. As bloggers, we should in no way feel obligated to master these tools either. We should be free to use them however we wish without consequence because these tools are for US first and foremost. I definitely agree with you on that! :)
However, Steven put into perspective for me that when you blog and put information out there for others to consume, you do become a “layer” that others rely on and in turn, your role changes a bit. Also, I know I've consciously shared certain things that even though I like, I felt would be more beneficial for my audience and those that are following me. I think that happens with quite a few bloggers actually, especially when your fan base picks up. It no longer becomes about you, nor do you play a major part anymore. There is a shift to the audience that begins to take place. And though it shouldn't, I'm not sure if we can really help it.
As for major media today, they've made a lot of people quite lazy to the point where they will rely on bloggers for everything, just like how they rely on news reporters on TV, unfortunately. We're entering an extremely lazy era that's all about “gimme gimme gimme” without “me” having to do any work. It's absolutely astounding and I think that might be something that Steven was also trying to get it.
Layer, filter…I don't really care much for terms these days because they're always changing, yet essentially mean the same thing. People misconstrue them all the time regardless of what you call it. However, I do like your term better than filter. We should be a layer, but to some extent we are filtering. Catch 22?
Catch 22, indeed! I guess I like layer rather than filter because it implies guidance and addition rather than selection and blocking. Does that make any sense?
And I suppose I'll just have to wait 'til our audience picks up for the focus to turn off of us. :) But I do see what you mean, because there is a desire (if not an obligation) to give readers what they want. Supply and demand!
Yes, I can see the difference in terms. Layer definitely sounds friendlier and more human. Filtering just reminds me of a machine.
Supply and demand. It can be a bitch sometimes, but I think with the right audience, it can take us all to an entirely different level. :)
I don't think that I ever stated that bloggers should be the end all be all for information for our readers – if I did then I am sorry. As with every other form of communication it is inherent upon the reader to use all the resources at their disposal to forumlate – express – defend or even change their opinions. Bloggers are only one such source.
The thing is that as bloggers fine tune their abilities to provide coherent and reasonable points of discussions a sense of trust develops between the reader and the bloggers so at some point the reader will first look to the blogger as their starting point.
As far as the tools point journalists, columnists or any other such person that writes for mass consumption has for as long as there has been print done their very best to get to know their tools of their craft. For journalists it could be the inside source or it could even be the reference library or the hall of public records. Those are tools just as for the blogger things like Google, FriendFeed, Twitter or even their fellow bloggers are all in a sense tools that we need to use to make what we provide our readers with better content.
AS far as the word filter is concerned it doesn't matter – it is all semantics. You can use any word you want as long as the end product is that you provide your readers with clear and honest interpretations of things you find important. For me filter works .. for you maybe beacon works .. it really doesn't matter in the end does it as long as our readers are happy and have learned something or at least started on a road to learning something they feel is important.
The moment we cross that line to professionalism and begin to consider what we are doing everyday as something we feel is important the shift will happen Corvida. It is a natural progression and one I don't think that you can stop – other than quiting :)
But why wouldn't users go to these tools first instead of visiting us first?
Wouldn't you want to formulate an opinion for yourself first and foremost?
But Corvida that is where the whole trust factor comes in. I am sure that
you have readers who trust you to give them the straight goods on something.
That trust has come over a period of time. People will always gravitate to
trusted source first before going off into the wild woods of the unknown :)
Quitting is for quitters :P
Right on, waitin' for it! Hope some of your readers and followers will check us out and maybe subscribe (forgive my shameless plugging? :). Thanks for the convo tonight, look forward to continuing on this and other topics. Right now, bed time.
hi friend i think you are write and your thinking is good!