Blog Directory

Technorati was fun. It had more to it than I expected and if I wasn't already subsribed to a hunk of blogs (many which I found through bloglines) that I already have a hard time staying diligently on top of, I would've explored it more seriously.
I do like the idea that you can find the more "authoratitve" blogs - so I might go through and clean out my collection based on how helpful they have actually been, as well as their "authority."
On Tags...It's a great idea. I like using them, for myself. I find it interesting to see what/how other people use them, but most of the time I don't bother with browsing through others'. It's too much and often too cluttered, and not usually the way I woulld organize it so oftentimes it is irrelevent to me. Maybe I'm being too harsh and not patient enough.. but I'd rather read the blog itself or even a summary of the blog, as opposed to scattered one-word descriptions. *shrugs*
Now tags as a tool for searching.. great idea!
I understand the attractiveness of this kind of organizing (as opposed to LC or Dewey, anyway.) But a significant part of me is resistant to it.. and I can't quite put my finger on why.Part of it could be sentimental. My second home, when growing up, was the library. I loved the library. I spent hours each week there. I loved the rows and rows of books and using the computers to look up where a book could be found. It's hard for me to imagine a library not being like that. I understand computers/the interenet work differently and I am very glad for that. I love the combination of the two systems - having keyword searches, but giving each book a significant place of belonging, in relation to a system.
Which leads to the next poiint..Part of my resistance to it could be philosophical/religious. I think in terms of a definite - as opposed to an individual - truth. I am creative and love creativity, but sitll don't believe that definitions lie in the hands of the individual, that everything is and becomes what we feel it shouldI have a high view of authority and as much as I am American and individualistic, I can't override the idea that somewhere there is an authority on something and if there is an authority it should be listened to and followed.I submit to the system even if it isn't perfect, but because it works, and more importantly because things were designed to work in systems. It's innate to being. Following the idea of the system - we all have a place in the system (and let me clarify that it's not a static place or I might start sounding much unlike I intend.)It goes even further and deeper, I am sure, but those are a few highlights that came to mind. At least the small part of my mind that is still present - my husband and I just moved today and it exhausted not just the body, but the mind.
All of that said... It works to a point (tagging, that is). I like the concept of it although I do see a danger in embracing it toocompletely. Tagging can be a great way for students to work together and to share together and to gain and distribute resources. But there's a lot to learn and a lot of assumed common sense that needs to be there first in order for it to work.. and that can be a heavy foundation to lay in some situations.
I think I just went in a full circle without actually saying anything new. Whoopie!