Eric Olsen is the founder and publisher of BlogCritics.org, the website where a “sinister cabal of bloggers” roams and analyzes and reviews and pontificates. During a long and expansive conversation with Eric, we discussed the concept behind BlogCritics and where the future’s headed for the popular website and for the blogosphere at large. We also found time to delve into whether or not it’s possible to talk politics on the Internet, and where Michael Jackson’s career might be headed.
Please find excerpts from the first part of the interview below. To listen to the full first hour of the interview, make your way to Dumpster Bust Radio: Podcast #9.
Look for Part II of the interview soon.
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Eric Berlin: What is BlogCritics.org?
Eric Olsen: BlogCritics is a collective of over 1,000 writers. Each of those people have their own [web] sites and their motivation for participating is that we – in nearly every case – have considerably more traffic and higher search engine rank. We are a Google News source and contribute reviews to the Advance family of sites, which is 10 sites that are affiliated with the major local newspaper in 10 different markets.
You add all that up, and for writers that want to get at a new and larger group of readers, we’re a good source for that.
What’s the unique draw on the Internet for people to visit BlogCritics.org?
It’s a general interest Web-magazine that happens to be written by bloggers. It is also a very fine microcosm of the blogosphere because of the large group of writers who we are drawing from. It functions something like a pyramid, where the best really does rise to the top.
Over three years, we’ve gotten better and better. The writers have gotten better and better. I think we’re one of the better sources for news and information, opinion, reviews, and simply entertaining writing on the Internet. We have a very high volume – as much as many news services. We have in fact become a news service – that’s why Google News wants us.
We average about 65 to 70 stories every single day, so there’s literally something being published round the clock. And our writers come from all over the world – I think we’re up to something like 40 countries now.
It’s a place to the advantage of both the writers and the readers – they can interact – because we have open comments. You as the reader can participate in the ongoing discussion: you can agree, you can disagree, you can bring in new facts, you can reference materials that you think are important. I think that’s something that sets us apart from the traditional media.
Political discussion can be especially heated on the Internet. Do you think it’s possible for people of opposing views to have meaningful political debates on BlogCritics and on the Internet in general?
Well sure. It’s possible and I think it happens on the Internet all the time. The issue with politics is that the more partisan the participants – and the people who do participate are going to tend to be partisan – you’re going to see less actual movement. People are pretty well set in their ways.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
thanks EB, I am deeply flatulent, er flattened, er flattered - the last one!
2 - The Theory
Good idea EB... unless this was really EO's idea, in which case he's an arrogant jerk. ;-)
3 - Aaman
Good show EB, my pod software pulled it down recently, but I haven't listened to it yet - will know.
At least you know I'm a subscriber now:)
4 - Eric Berlin
In this case I can happily take credit.
So I'm the flatulent jerk...
5 - Aaman
Arrogance, jerks - what's wrong with either? Take a look at Howard Hughes, for ex.:)
6 - Eric Olsen
It was EB's inspired idea, but it is still possible I am an arrogant jerk.
7 - Bennett
Good job Eric and Eric. It's hard to value (dollar-wise) the amount of information and communication that goes on here, let alone the sharing of viewpoints, but I think you really have something of great worth here.
I learn so much from reading both the posts and the comments. Great stuff!
8 - Eric Berlin
Aaman -- the latest podcast (which includes the first part of the EO interview) published about half an hour ago -- just want to make sure you're talking about the right one: Dumpster Bust Radio: Podcast #9.
And thanks for subscribing!
Now, I have to go wash my hands about 700 times and demarcate Clean Zones in my cavernous domicile.
9 - Eric Berlin
Bennett -- Thanks very much. I think I can speak for EO in saying that it's people like you who make the site what it is.
10 - Aaman
Now, I have to go wash my hands about 700 times and demarcate Clean Zones in my cavernous domicile
Why, what were you doing with them - did I get my pod-porn.com subscription mixed with yours?;)
11 - Eric Berlin
Just a little H Hughes humor.
But it wouldn't hurt to listen to the podcast to find out for sure...
12 - parker
Thanks for posting this, can't wait for part 2!
13 - Temple Stark
so where's part II?
14 - Eric Berlin
Patience... all in good time.
15 - Temple Stark
OK
- grasshopper