Chris, it’s 2010. You’re starting a blog now?

Through the course of the several years that I’ve been a consumer in the blogosphere, I have happily witnessed its rise in importance. Blogs have evolved from the fringe pursuit of a geek minority to a source of news and opinion to the masses, standing on equal footing with traditional news outlets. Here to stay, it would seem obvious, are bloggers and their weblogs.

In my small way, by regularly reading and sometimes commenting, I’ve contributed to the ascent of the blog. More blogs are noted in my bookmarks and Google Reader than newspaper websites. I’m more likely to be informed of breaking news by a blogger than a traditional journalist. I’ve discovered more products that I now use via recommendations from bloggers than any other source, excepting my network of friends. I know who Robert Scoble, Matt Mullenweg and Josh Marshall are.

I think you get the picture. As a consumer of news and opinion (and the odd discursive rant or sales pitch in poor disguise), blogs have become an integral part of my day, indeed, my life.

Long a reader of blogs, today marks my entry to the blogging universe as a contributor. Continue reading Chris, it’s 2010. You’re starting a blog now?