The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish, and when the fish are
caught, the trap is forgotten. The purpose of a rabbit snare is to
catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten. The
purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the
words are forgotten. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He
is the one I would like to talk to. -Chuang Tzu
Your research projects are ultimately about ideas, not words. However, words are still necessary until we learn to capture thoughts and transfer them via the internet or some still to be invented wireless standard (80211.!!!). Words (and images, and links, and sound files, and videos) are all we have.
If you are taking the great leap into online journaling, remember a few caveats:
- write early, write often
- write about the process of your research, not just the content
- use the forum to try out ideas. Assume others are reading, and are interested (we are) and Will respond.
- think, reflect, write, and re-write.
I've added some examples of people who write about their research and their ideas, and their intellectual journeys. Do not be intimidated by copia, or slick visual designs. Be yourself above all. I recommend trying www.blogger.com - it's free and easy to get started. Send me your URL/RSS feed once you have begun.
- Matt Kirschenbaum (http://www.otal.umd.edu/~mgk/blog/),
- Scott Eric Kaufman (http://acephalous.typepad.com/acephalous/)
- Chuck Tryon (http://chutry.wordherders.net/)
- Timothy Burke (http://weblogs.swarthmore.edu/burke/).
- Bryan Alexander (http://infocult.typepad.com/)
Kathleen Fitzpatrick also blogs extensively about her work, her life, and is admirable for her dedication to the medium and signal/noise ratio.
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