Elia Diodati has written an interesting perspective on the state of Singapore blogosphere, and he surmises that it is declining. He provided a fair number of evidence to prove his point, and it appears to be a pretty compelling argument.

Writing is a tough job (a point constantly emphasized by my journalism professor), and only those who have tried their hands at writing regularly will know how hard writing is. To consistently be able to produce “good” blog entries is a huge challenge. It’s small wonder that some will eventually feel fatigued and end up dropping out. Writer’s fatigue is something that is very real.

For other bloggers, they cease blogging because they started with unrealistic expectations. Blogging does not change politics or social issues overnight. After ranting and raving for a while and seeing that nothing happens with this new “tool”, it is understandable that one would feel disillusioned. As the saying goes, the higher up one goes, the harder one falls. So, some bloggers cease blogging as a result.

Does this mean a state of disarray in Singapore blogosphere? To answer this question, in the very first place, what constitutes “normal” state of blogosphere? Could this “decline” or “disarray” very well be the “normal” state of things? In fact, I am inclined to think that attrition is normal. I am also inclined to think that the lack of updates, or the so-called “self-degeneration” of blogs are normal too. Not everyone wants to say something all the time, and not everyone has something good to say all the time. Bloggers are not paid professionals. They have other things to do as well. It could be that the blogger has hit a rough patch and decided to take a break. Pseudonymity is a good example. Who knows, people like Kitana, Gayle and Zyberzitizen might make a return some day?

And, I agree with Mr Wang that bloggers (the content providers) are only one part of the equation. The other part, which is easily overlooked, are the readers. The state of blogosphere cannot be truly assessed without factoring in readers. Even if there are many active bloggers, if no one reads them, what’s the point of them playing to an empty hall?

Indeed, as Mr Wang has accurately observed, the whole issue of civil service pay revision (as well as the GST increase + Budget 2007) has resulted in a large increase in web traffic for many bloggers. No one can truly estimate the number of people who read blogs, but I would estimate that more and more people are reading blogs. That in itself is a crowning achievement, for Singaporeans are actively searching for alternative ideas and opinions other than really on the pro-government SPH. And, I believe the existence of blogs have forced some editors in the ST well-known to be pro-government (such as the Chua sisters) to subtly play Devil’s Advocate once in a while.

While there has been some movements in blogopshere in the recent couple of months, I don’t think that blogosphere is declining. To assume that it’s declining might be too early a conclusion. In anycase, why is there a need to observe or conclude whether it is declining or not? Let’s take things as they come. In the meantime, just enjoy the going while it’s still good.