When it comes to defending my rights of self expression and freedom of blogging, I would be the first to tell anyone who wants to regulate my blogging to take a hike (and I am sounding nice here).
Having said that, I can hear you screaming, “Then what are you doing on the committee of an association that
- regulate how bloggers blog;
- has the chutzpah to represent all bloggers in Singapore;
- teaches bloggers how to or what to blog?!”
The answers are ridiculously simple.
- We do not presume to regulate or help people to regulate.
- We do not want to, have never claimed to nor can we represent anyone. The Singapore tag is an indication of location and not territory.
- We may organize workshops and seminars facilitated by qualified professionals but the choice is always up to the individual to attend.
There have been a few assumptions and questions over the last few days. The team has answered here and the below are my personal thoughts.
Protection
It is ludicrous to assume that any association can protect you if you commit an offense. Try asking a lawyer if the Law Society can protect him if he embezzles or slanders. Very clearly, the answer is no.
Validation
People are also asking why they should join the association to validify their status or existence as bloggers. My answer again is painfully simple. You don’t. You don’t join the Chinese Association to prove you are a Chinese. You don’t join AWARE to prove you are a woman. You join any association purely and simply because of either interest or passion. And if it’s not your cup of tea, don’t.
In fact, I was very surprised this question even came up.
Why set up an Association?
Then you may ask, so what is this Association for?
Plainly, and without the stuffy language of Constitution talk, here goes.
There is unity and strength in numbers. Simply, it is easier to organize any activity or workshop if the numbers are there. It is easier to get projects, opportunities and what nots if the numbers are there. Sure the ‘top bloggers’ get their projects, opportunities, their free wine and dine events, their freebie gadgets – but are they sharing it with you? You might argue that not everyone is interested in perks and opportunities but even celebrities are not exempt. To each their own, I say.
When we talk about educating bloggers, it is not about telling them how or what to blog. For example, I was a tech idiot and never knew how to use HTML, much less do blog templates or what nots. I wished that there were some kind of workshops where I can glean such hands-on knowledge, but there were none when I started out. It appears that I am not alone. Sure, you might be so smart that you never need any help, but there are others who do. Why be selfish and decline them the opportunity? Why stop us from building up a community of newbie or fledging bloggers? Why must we fill it with A list bloggers? Question, questions.
Government Lap Dog
Then there is the hooha about the government endorsement and about AIMS and Lam Pin in Today. I find the angle of the article regrettable, though the intentions of the reporter might be good. In that alignment and ‘endorsement’ by the establishment, bloggers viewed us as being establishment and government lap dogs.
What a joke. Many of us were openly critical of the government and policies from time to time in our blogs.
As for the conspiracy theory about us wearing white tops (and therefore PAP), I am not even going to justify that. American classics anyone?
Unity and individualism
The beauty about every blogger is their individualistic entity. Everyone has their own method of expression and their own way of thinking. In seeking unity, we are not looking to make clones of everyone, but to help like- minded people forge a homogeneous identity. From the reactions of some, you’d have thought we are killing little babies.
Website
Some made an issue out of the wordpress free website even though we had already clearly explained that that it is a temporary site. I admit the timing was too tight, what with the Today article being published and the Association being registered just three days earlier.
In fact, this timing also affected many of our other logistics and marketing plans. Without going into too many details, I can just say that some things were beyond our control. We are now working on a proper website.
Nobody and A list bloggers
Ah.. this is my favourite -
‘Who are you to set up an Association? You bunch of nobody bloggers with dunno what credentials.’
I will be the first to admit I am a low profile blogger. You don’t and will never see me posting sex links or jumping on the ’scandals’ bandwagon to whore out for traffic. I also don’t buy into the elitist nonsense of A list, big time, top, celebrity or rock star bloggers and that the rest of us are ‘nobodies‘ or ‘lesser mortals‘.
Endoh asks which one do you prefer:-
Inviting only A-list/top bloggers because they are famous.
OR
Inviting even the commoners among the blogosphere to let them know they need not be A-list/top bloggers to also actively participate.
Between the two, which of them looks more like elitism to you? Again, I present the case and you – the reader – will figure out the answer by yourself.
I cannot help but be amused by some bloggers mocking about ‘
nobody bloggers‘ because
they are showing the exact same kind of hypocrisy and elitism that they love to mock so much in their posts about politicians and elites in Singapore. What gives? That’s why I said –
noise is good. It shows you up for who you are.
Nevertheless, I repeat, this is a protem committee. There is nothing to stop ‘big time’ or ’small time’ bloggers to come on board to head the helm. This ‘big time’ and ’small time’ issue is really moot.
Also, people are wondering why we are disrespectful of the more popular bloggers and did not invite them. We did. One did not even deign to reply. Many others cannot commit due to their work commitments. One is now aggressively attacking the association because of a perceived slight of non invitation. The truth is, we did not invite him because of his anonymous status – you will need to declare your personal particulars to be on the committee, and such information is available to the public at a fee.
So why have top bloggers not come out to form their own Association? From personal experience, I know it takes a lot of work to register an Association. It is easy to talk about it, but who will execute the work?
Approval and Permission
Red bean thought we were seeking permission or approval to cover events. Instead, we were referring to getting behind the scenes/ interviewing the players/ performers etc.
Fees
This was a channel where bloggers were truly constructive (and honest) with their feedback, and we thank them for it 
We are looking into things now.
Personal attacks/ agendas
Much of the criticisms have stemmed from personal attacks on the President. I reserve my comments on this but will instead address the other points.
The minority which criticized the core values of Association didn’t get most of it right because of the little information available. We apologized for that on the site and promised more information over time which was seen here.
You would have also realized that we have provided very little information in this site. We have to apologize for that but we will be thankful if you could give us some time. Be assured, you will see more information over time until the official website is up and running.
But still, there were plenty a judgments based on guesswork and assumptions, which made people question their agendas. Even whose who claimed to be social media experts or enthusiasts were not exempt. And then there are those who jumped on the bandwagon and linked others‘ attacks to mock us. The things some people do to whore for mere traffic is quite appalling and pathetic.
I am still bemused by those who feel the need to go all out to attack (note: I did not say criticisms). You choose nasi lemak and your friend chooses meepok – do you give him a big slap? My personal mantra is always, don’t like, don’t join/ eat/ see/ participate/ whatever. This strange need to smack down the alternative reeks of herd mentality.
Though some might say they are helping us to publicize for free…
And then there were some who felt sore and ego-bruised. They questioned: who did we think we are to be on the committee? Why did we not ask them? These people did not stop to think for one moment that we are paving the way for them and they are welcome to step into the shoes if they want to. Again, do versus talk?
Do we have such power?
There are talks that the association is breaking up and dividing the blogosphere. First, we are accused of being ‘kuching kurap‘. At the next instance, we have such nerve-breaking power.
This is a highly individualistic and fragmented identity in the first place. Bloggers (and anybody else) have the freedom of choice. What segregation is there in that?
Does it mean that when you are a food blogger and I am a pet blogger, you are not with me and therefore against me?
I hope we have more common sense than that.
At the end of the day
After the legwork is done, and now that the Association is registered, I can and will step down at any time so that others can have a chance to serve.
You want to be on the committee and work your arse off? Most welcome Please contact me at me at rachel dot sg. I am not joking.
There are genuine feedback and there are the haters – we will respond positively to the former and ignore the latter.
Attention and traffic whores who have taken cheap shots can eat their shorts. No, they are not good enough to eat mine.
It’s been a powerful learning experience and exposure.Pay money also don’t have ok. 
**
Elsewhere: Lycan Times on Blogosphere
