Althouse, Vanderleun and Pajamas Media

There is QUITE a ruckus going on in the comments section over at Ann Althouse’s place, concerning Pajamas Media and the offers it has begun making to various bloggers to become associates.

I have not yet checked out any other blogs for their opinions. Ann has strong and rather negative feelings about the Pajamas Media presentation and package, and she brings her considerable intellect and legal training to bear on what she perceives to be weaknesses and problems.

Gerard Vanderleun of American Digest (who appears not to have blogged on this issue yet) is offering formidable opposition to her views, and he’s no slouch in the brains department, either. Clearly both of these people have eaten their share of fish, over the years.

I think for bloggers who are trying to decide which way to go – to maintain their independence and stick with blogads or sign on for a set fee, and commit precious adspace to Pajamas Media, but with a promise of more exposure – what is going on in Althouse’s comments section is enormously valuable and interesting, and I suggest they head over there and read it all, and perhaps add their thoughts. The debate has gotten a little bogged down in the personal, right now, Ann is checking Gerard out to make sure he is who he says he is – nothing wrong with that.

Gerard makes the point, and it is very true, that the blogosphere is going to shift and shift and shift again. While I don’t wish to speak for Ann, it’s very clear that the free-wheeling independent nature of the blogosphere, as it has been, is something she values enormously, and will hate to see change. But change is inevitable.

As to reputation, while there is some anger being displayed, I would say that Ann Althouse’s reputation is on par with Roger Simon’s and Charles Johnson’s – these are all reputable bloggers who have made enormous contributions to the whole phenomenon that is blogging, or citizen journalism. It would be very sad to see a devolution into factions and “sides.”

I am hopeful that more bloggers will put forth their thoughts. I myself have NO head for business and so this is all terribly interesting to me. More interesting, though, will be watching this issue actually become a huge story within the blogging community. As I say, my concern here – more than anything – is that the debate does not devolve into acrimonious back-and-forths.

The blogosphere has, until now, very much been a place where one writer has been happy to encourage and give exposure to another, even when the ideologies or opinions do not “line up.” It has, in a short time, become very much a sort of “community” (and I write that knowing full well that you guys KNOW I hate everything being called a “community” all the time.) In a community some squabbles are to be expected. I only hope, as I say, that this one does not end up creating “us” vs “them” mentalities. There are already too many such mentalities in our world! :-)

UPDATE: Peaktalk has more thoughts, taken purely from a businessman’s perspective. He’s saying, “give it a shot!”

WELCOME: Althouse readers! While you’re here, please feel free to nose around a bit. Today we’re also talking about the FAKE NEWS meme being developed by the left, whether Catholics really think they are eating Christ’s flesh and blood and the quality or lack of quality re Iraq war reportage.