Writing a dissertation is a difficult, isolating experience; at least it was when I was doing it, in the technological stone age of ca. 1990. By the time you get to the stage of cranking out chapters, you're so deeply-focused (in both a mental and emotional sense) on your work, and often so tightly focused on a specific, narrow subject, that it's easy to assume that no one else is interested in your work.
Thus I find the growth of the genre of the dissertation blog particularly interesting. Not surprisingly, the majority of dissertation bloggers seem to be people working in new media. Sam Kinsley, a new media student at Plymouth University (I don't know where it is, but gather from the number of ".uk" sites listed as colleagues that it's across the pond) has one that I find interesting. This recent entry on "Augmented Space" caught my eye:
it seems many theorists and practitioners are identifying a coming convergence of several seemingly unrelated technologies into a critical mass that will spawn a widespread revolution in our experience of space.The blog has a dissertation outline (tentative title: "Smart Mobs and Cybrid Spaces"-- not a bad title), entries-- thought-pieces, really-- on hybrid spaces, the growth of "cellspace," and a bibliography.
My suspicion is that these will become more popular over time, but also more carefully-crafted a form of public performance: a way to fashion your professional identity, to give a sense of your research and passion, without giving away TOO much or looking too scattered. (I don't think I've found a single entry in which someone talks about how they've got writers' block, or are emotionally exhausted; maybe there's more self-consciousness behind these blogs than I realized.) Still, I think they could emerge as a useful resource for people interested in the future: dissertation students can be great data-points on where a field is going, and what's going to be important to a discipline in the coming years.
I absolutely agree with you.
Have you seen PhDweblogs.net?
Posted by: António Granado | March 25, 2004 at 04:59 AM
Yup, I have found it interesting updating my blog as it gives me less sense of isolation in the 'marathon'.
Posted by: BusyBee | March 25, 2004 at 09:36 AM
Are you spamming Paul?
Not too much sence in your comment.
Regards,
Steeveguy
Posted by: Steeveguy | March 31, 2004 at 04:05 AM
Steeveguy, You should take it easier, this guy is not spamming since he's back here.
Posted by: Kidrock | April 01, 2004 at 09:27 PM
I write a PhD weblog and find that it helps to formulate my thoughts and ideas when I know I'm writing notes and someone else might read them.
Posted by: Kylie Veale | April 02, 2004 at 03:53 AM
Well, I guess I was too much suspicious.
Sorry, pal!
Regards,
Steeveguy
Posted by: Steeveguy | April 02, 2004 at 05:15 AM
Wow, I only just found this article from my site stats :)
I'm flattered that my work has caught someone's eye! The blog has given me a chance to solicite feedback from tutors, who are hard to get hold of, and from academics and practitioners further afield.
Please feel free to leave comments on my articles, although some are now closed due to comment spam :(
Also, please visit my course website: http://www.medialabarts.net/
Posted by: Sam Kinsley | April 07, 2004 at 04:43 AM