Some reflections on the goal of the academic blog

The more I consider it the more I think the idea of an academic blogger, is somewhat problematic. At the heart of the issue is the question ‘what is my role in society?’. Let me explain. In my life I am a student, an academic, a son, a brother and a citizen. If we accept Jung Harbermas’s distinction between the public and private realm, then the academic blog is not as straight forward as it first seems. If one concedes that universities have a public role in society which is more than granting qualifications to students. Then one could go down the route of Plato and say that academic are philosopher-kings, ruling of a variety of subject. But this is just madness, it presupposes some ordained right to make public pronouncements based on the fact that a person happens to be an academic. In considering this point it is apparent that this sort of thinking occurs in some individual who engage in both politics and academia, the “ I know about this subject, I have studied it. Listern, you need to do it this way “ approach. This is of course pure arrogance And will invariably fail. For an academic blogger to succeed, they must by all means give their opinions to the best of their abilities, but remember that they are but mortal beings and should try not to consider themselves lords of all knowledge. A second issue is the one hinted at at the start of this post. That of the public/private realm (Or sphere) distinction. The idea of the public sphere was developed by Jung Habermas as a tool to demarcate what ought to be considered as within the public realm as opposed to that of the private. According to Habermas, the bifurcation occurred as the result of the evolution of two independent but interconnected processes. Firstly through the changing needs of the merchant class from the late 15th century onwards. Secondly the evolution of the concept of the state which sort to reformulate it from private dominion of the monarch to it becoming an institution embodying civic power. One of these institutions was the university. The universities they witnessed their own revolution. Starting in the 17th century, they were subjected to a modernisation programme in which the aim was to give individuals (Usually the older son) the correct skills needed to cope in the big wide world. This gradually lead to the professionalisation of academia as a consequence of the need for a more technical form of education. This, I want to argue presents a problem for the academic blogger. By formalising the role, society gave the academic an important public function, but more than that, it changed the role in western culture so as to push academics towards Plato’s ideal, which as hinted above, is’nt a good thing. On reflection one question is this tension between the want to demonstrate ones abilities on the one hand, and the inherent danger in presuming your ability meant that you can become an arbitrator of knowledge is to complex and pervasive to resolve. Yet the conclusions I have come to is that academic blogging is possible if one views academia not exclusively as a professional venture but one that has a private motive as well. It is on that basis that this blog is written. For mine and your enjoyment.

Why do this?

The decision to start a blog must always be accompanied by a justification. Blogging academics (those people employed or registered at a HE institution) are now a feature of the 21st century university sector. But explanation for this isn’t so much an exercise in self-congratulatory examinations of the world, as there attempt to show the outside world what thought processes go on within academia. This has become a hot topic within the university sector, as institutions have latched on to the idea of ‘public engagement’ (a somewhat useless and patronising idea). This blog aims to give its readers an insight into a humanities research student’s world. In doing so it provides me with an opportunity to do three things. Firstly, some light social commentary, people who know me know that I have strong political views. I try my hardest not to let them impede on my work as I believe that too much politics clouds ones academic judgement, that said I intend to do odd posts about politics and society (But I will endeavor to keep them to a minimum!). Secondly, I will use it to practice my writing. This may seem an odd thing to say, but I have Cerebral Palsy which means that I find it difficult to type my work so dictate it instead, as I have the use of my right hand ( my left is just used to hold caps lock down!). So this blog will give me the chance to practices doing some writing on my own. Finally, although I won’t discuss my work directly, this blog will mainly consist of posts where I flesh out ideas associated with my research and try to explain academic concepts.