iloveBrooklyn

(cross-posted on networkeffect.org)

I truly do not know where John Tropea of Library Clips finds the time to unearth so much great stuff. If he is not sifting and categorizing the virtual waterfall of web 2.0 apps out there for us (I think there may be one for just about every singular function one can perform via http – see my comment made to Steve Rubel about the rise of Twitter), he’s out there waist high in forward-thinking commentary. I salute you John and I do not know how I would stay on top of this myself were it not for your important and excellent postings.

Today he has brought to light the effects of blogging on community. I am particularly interested in this as I live in Brooklyn, have my own Brooklyn-oriented blog, and just attended the Brooklyn Blogfest last week.

According to Outside.in, a neighborhood blog aggregator, Brooklyn is the bloggiest neighborhood in the country. Whoot whoot!! We can all thank Bruce Ratner and his grandiose Atlantic Yards scheme to make as much money as possible at one time for that, but I digress.

Sitting with my neighbors during the Blogfest, I couldn’t help but feel something important was taking place. There was genuine appreciation among everyone putting effort into their blogs, and it just felt right to come together in celebration. Many laughs were shared and margaritas poured.

How’s that for the act of blogging building community? And does it go the other way around, too? I know getting together got me thinking about blogging more. I am sure others felt the same. Perhaps Outside.in should sponsor meetups in each neighborhood. Why waste all that neighborhood-reviving goodness?