Zcom_simple

Hello,

Blogs are a familiar feature on the internet - where users post content in an accumulating manner, with comments, and search options, etc. They facilitate expression and exploration, and via attached comments, also debate and synthesis.


Reading and
Navigating Blogs

Our blogs are quite powerful. Each writer can post, as is typically the case. Sustainers who have the option can also post, however. All Blogs appear in the blog system, and sometimes also in content boxes the top page of ZNet - and always via the left menu of the top page - and can be found via searches, etc.

Commenting on blogs follows the blogs, attached at the bottom, and blog comments, like all others, are also visible in many places that show comments including in the forum system. In addition, the entire blog system gathers content for everyone - but one can look at the accumulating content in many ways.

  • For example one can look at one writer's efforts - so one is seeing what is effectively a blog system for that one writer, or Sustainer.
  • One can also look at the content by topic, seeing blogs that are tagged as being about a certain topic - or place, as well. Thus, when doing that, it is a blog system about a topic, or a place, with many contributors.
  • One can look at only writer blogs, or only sustainer blogs, as well.
  • One can look at blogs for particular Groups, too.

All this is easily done using the left menu. Searches allow even more variables and refinements.


Creating Blog Posts

If you are a Sustainer with permission, and are logged in, you will see a link in the left menu for you to post a blog - and you can use that to post one, and then tag it various ways (such as with a topic or place, or a group tag), and once you do, it is in the system with you as the author.

You can also use the console button to the left to post a blog - anytime and from anywhere in the site, as long as you are logged in.

Meanwhile, enjoy the blogs - and, by the way, if you are a Free Member or a Sustainer with a ZSpace page, of course you can put one or more content boxes on it, pulling blog links of any sort you may want to filter for, for example, by you or by your friends or by others - and by topic, about places, for groups, etc.

Blogs

Dsc02766

Mandisi Majavu's Blog

Web Address: http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/mandisimajavu
Bio: Mandisi Majavu is the Book Reviews Editor of Interface: a journal for and about social movementshttp://www.interfacejournal.net/ Majavu has written widely on topics relating to human rights, justic... (More)

All Majavu Blogs

Taking the ‘Reimagining Society Vision and Strategy Poll’

By Mandisi Majavu at Jan 17, 2010


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Generally speaking I’m not the sort of person who is very open to participating in research surveys. I understand the value of research and so in principle I agree with the thinking that informs surveys. However, I tend to find that most research surveys aim to measure a very narrow aspect of popular opinion and hence most polls are designed to be used as tools to push certain agendas. For example, according to Tamara Straus  (2001), polls are used in the US to justify oppressive policies, attack opponents, etc.

In contrast, the rationale behind the ‘Reimagining Society Vision and Strategy Poll’ is revolutionary different to the thinking that underpins mainstream research surveys. The ‘Reimagining Society Vision and Strategy Poll’ wasn’t designed by ‘experts’ who claim to have a deeper understanding of social reality than ordinary people. The survey was designed by the same community it aims to poll. Furthermore, rather than rationalise a certain dogma, the survey aims to open possibilities for a more informed debate. It is not narrow in scope; it challenges one to reflect on one’s position.  It is truly an intellectually stimulating exercise that aims to explore possibilities for practically implementing non-hierarchical, inclusive, participatory politics.

I found taking the ‘Reimagining Society Vision and Strategy Poll’ both exciting and educational.

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