The Jordanian Blogsphere got late, early out there
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All of a sudden, almost everyone in the Jordanian blogsphere is talking politics. While this is good, it is late. Late for what happened already, but ahead of what might be coming ahead (good and bad - God forbid). Some time back, it was impossible to get a conversation going. Conversation worth the time spending. Why? Because everybody was talking too much. In fact, almost everyone used to say, we are not interested in politics and political developments, blah blah. Even now, while everyone talks about Zarqawi, how many can we find talks about economics, education, unemployment, internal and external relation, etc…? Hardly few now (if any), hardly were (I know of few), hope many in the future. So, was Amman explosions a wake up call? Or it’s something momentary that will soon disappear?
I really wish that the majority of Jordanian bloggers breaks the image of “spoiled boys” bloggers (Shmesani kids), and turn to reality. I am a believer that “perception is reality”, and the perception is that most (if not all) of the Jordanian bloggers are rich boys and gals who have nothing serious in life to worry about but to show us what they eat, where they spent last night and what brands they buy.
Anyway, a nickel isn’t worth a dime today, so I hope today pulse continues to shed some light on our day-by-day threats.
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34 Comments on “The Jordanian Blogsphere got late, early out there”
It seems like the flood gates have loosed and 90% of all the Jordan bloggers are yacking up politics (or copying existing articles, both on-target and skewed). Personally, it has gotten a bit old really fast. Don’t let the decision to begin “discussing” politics ruin the innocence that was had.
Haitham, I completely disagree with you.
For one thing, “Almost all the Jordanian bloggers” are not all of a sudden discussing politics, and Zarqawi is not politics. The incident was a trauma, and it is natural for people, regardless of whether they are politically active or little children who don’t even know what politics is, to express their frustration, anger, and vulnerability. It is just natural. Yes, there were cases of intensive discussion, but by who? Naseem, the political science student; Natasha and Rami, the reporters; and Khalaf, who is anon as far as I’m concerned.
And just because people are not discussing the economy does not make them stupid or spoiled. One does not need to be unaware to not discuss these issues, and one does not need to be uninterested, it’s simply a matter of what a person prefers. Isn’t that what blogging is all about? You discuss what you want to discuss, and whoever likes the content reads and whoever doesn’t like the content doesn’t read.
FInally, although it is essential for a person living in our region to be politically and socially aware due to the huge instability, politics is not the be all and end all of life.
lol well my opinion is a mix of Roba’s and yours Haitham. Blogs vary in their concentration, so on a spectrum you will have the political, the social, the artsy, the personal, the funny. et cetera. And since we dont have 10,000 bloggers (yet) well you’re not going to get that concentrated amount of politiking happening.
However you do bring up a good point in another aspect that I will surely refer back to in my blog’s next post.
Though hopefully these attack will raise the level of interest and debate in Jordanian bloggers as politics has never been as important in our history as it is now.
Salam
I don’t expect any of the Jordanian blogsphere to agree with what I said. Contrary, I’m sure most will disagree, and that’s my point. Self defensive, to what they prefer to says as you said above. Which makes me come yet to another conclusion, the existing Jordanian blogsphere does not represent more than west side of Amman. Few of whom you mentioned are exceptions, but that is really sad.
Having said all that, it is not only Jordan, but in fact majority of Arab blogspheres can be labeled as such. Some are extremist, some are ignorant, some are waste of bandwidth, but what concern me here is Jordan blogsphere. Someone will come and say, “who are you to judge?” I would say, this is my opinion, love it or leave it.
If I agree with some of what you said, Roba, it is only when you describe existing show as “Natural.” Unfortunately that “Natural” as I said is momentary. Then, say, Naseem will continue his great work at his part, might few other do, but most will go back to Abdoon and might go once a year in “adventure” outside the borders of west Amman.
Depressing!!
Can’t agree less, Nas
Will be looking forward…
Haitham, you missed my point.
Of course, it is most unfortunate that most of the bloggers are indeed West Ammanite, but that is a factor not within our reach. We are a third world country, whether we like it or not, and most of the population does not have steady internet access or are computer illetrate enough to blog.
Perhaps with the advancement of time and the governments attempts to put a computer in every home, one day we will find a fairer representative of Jordan on the Jordanian blogosphere, and I look forward to that day.
Now though, I dont think that the Shmesani kids who go on an “adventure” once a year beyond the borders of Amman, and who go to Abdoun” as you put, have anything to be ashamed of. That not all are economically equal is a fact of life, not only in Jordan or in the Arab world, but also in developed coutnries such as the latest riots occuring in Paris or the ganging up in New York.
I just hope that those who have been lucky to have had a priviliged life make the best of their oppurtunity to help others and improve the standards of living for the country as whole.
I repeat that it is of utmost importance to maintain a political and social awareness, but you cannot expect every single Arab blogger to discuss politics.
BTW Roba, et al, I didn’t say politics only, I also said economics, education, unemployment, internal and external relation, etc…
‘etc’ means more than what we eat, drink and wear!! And “they were born rich”, I don’t have a problem with that. And I don’t expect the poor people to blog, they have better things to do in life, which is make living, you see. But let us keep in mind, that it is the rich guys/gals duty to speak on their behalf, so that these poor guys can reach to a stage where they can afford to start blogging. You see, this is what we expect our educated and rich part of the community do, not fill the bandwidth with something detached from his community, large community, coz some can argue that what he blogs is his community, that is fine, but not useful, coz that’s only very small size of the city (I won’t say country) that he lives at. However, I don’t expect they do that coz they don’t know who is living in the other side of the city!
Haitham I have to disagree with you in a few things
1- Some bloggers talked about politics in several of their blogs.
2- Most bloggers now are NOT talking about politics. Most bloggers are talking how horrible the attacks and how they feel about it, how they stand against it, how Jordanians should stay united, and about the demonstrations and pictures from here and there. There is NOTHING political about that.
3- Shmesani kids is a very old expression. Shemsani is now full of guests from the gulf and young kids selling bubble gum or people who happen to have their work in Shemsani.
In my first point above, i meant to say (talked about politics before Amman attacks)
Hareega, again, “perception is reality”. And they call it what they call it, that’s not a big deal. I’m not concerned who lives in “Shmesani” now, but the meaning behind this term, and I think you know what I mean.
However, I agree with you that talking and reacting to Amman explosions is not politics, but at least has some pulse of the street. Ya3nee some feeling of reality, although sad and unfortunate crime, but good that it moved the blogsphere.
On the other hand, I agree with point “1″. That’s what I said. Some did and always do talk about something worth the time looking at and discussing, not only politics, don’t catch on one word guys/gals. I said politics, and, and, and…
for the current limited mix of bloggers that make up Jordan Planet, the range of topics is pretty varied. blogging topics spawn from the blogger’s environment, you can’t separate the two. of course there is the immediate environment, which could be a part of a city as you said Haitham, then the environment grows to include the whole city, the country and the region. all these environments affect the blogger.
blogging is a personal experience, so what’s worth reading and discussing really depends on the audience, part of the audience relates to the experience, others may not.
i’m sure you meant well but your post came across as rather condescending and forced me to take issue with it, especially your second paragraph.
i won’t repeat what others have said about what’s going on on the planet now is not (only) politics, but i’ll say that politics is sticking out because of your opening sentence “All of a sudden, almost everyone in the Jordanian blogsphere is talking politics.”
regards,
Haitham
Your post was very condescending. If you are that appalled by the Jordanian blogosphere then I would suggest you drop out of Jordan Planet as obviously it does not match your standards. And frankly we do not need such a negative energy around the planet.
Natasha, who did you mean by “we”?
I’m sure Haitham wrote this out of concern for the Jordanian Blogsphere, opposite to what you’ve suggested and what you think.
Some took this personal, while I understand (somehow) how it felt after reading what Haitham has written I think it is better to aknowledge the problem (if any) and objectively discuss it instead of being merely defensive for the heck of it.
I agree with Haitham, what happened was like a wake up call, but allow me to be my pessimistic self, it will end soon that is if it hasn’t already. In fact, today I’ll be my extremely rude and blunt self. the majority cared because they witnessed it someway or another but did not go beyond the saddness, anger and sympathy. Almost all of us couldn’t believe what happened because the majority did not expect it (ask yourself why), and now we don’t want to hear about it anymore, the King is taking care of it w khala9 we’ll sit and wait for whatever we’ll be fed regarding that.
demonstrations were held at first, then what? no protests, no questions, no nothing only passivity.
I don’t know why has everyone focused on politics and forgot that Haitham also mentioned education, economics and internal affairs.
If you insist, political awareness is a must and participation when capable is a must too. you don’t need to study politics inorder to grant yourself the right of knowing what is really going on and who are those people who run the country, in what direction and what is your role a jordanian. Unless of course, you look around and decide that you are doing fine and hence everyone and everything can go to hell.
internal affairs is part of politics too, how much do we know about that? how about education? public schools? the environment? air pollution? poverty? health and medicine?
I’m not suggesting we talk only about these, everybody is free to talk about whatever I’m only trying to show you how what Haitham said is right!
Thanks Shaden, and all others. Honest, open minded, concerned and responsible comments, except the one of natasha. And here is why…
As SC already noted, natasha is saying “we”!
Ok guys, I’ll tell you something which is not a secret. The last paragraph which some describe here as “condescending” is what the Jordanian bloggers themselves said during a meet up back in July when I was in Jordan. And because of that, there where some suggestion followed by an initiatives from some bloggers to start a project, whereby an simple Arabic blogging tool will be developed or promoted to schools and rural areas specially where you can find some Internet Cafes. Why? Because some of the blogger in that meeting was saying that “we (they) are perceived as the Shmesani kids blogger, because of what we discuss and blog”. So the fellows wanted to spread blogging in some way to widen the window of Jordanian bloggers perspectives and to touch and feel areas that were not been talked about before. Anyway, I haven’t heard what happened to those initiatives, and I hope to hear more about this and maybe more from Jordan.
Anyway, if some are still feel that is condescending, then don’t blame me, don’t blame anyone, do something about this image to change for better.
Having said all that, I would like to remind natasha that Jordan Planet is NOT “Jordan Blogsphere”, it is only PART of it. And you can’t spot a word I said about Jordan Planet. So, when you say “we”, please more specific who you represent?
On the other hand, I would like to remind all that Jordan Planet is made by bloggers, NOT that Jordan Planet makes Jordanian bloggers!!! So, if you think that what you said is appropriate, then I don’t have to ask you, coz you are an admin at Jordan Planet, and have already made your mind, and that’s up to you. So frankly it is sad to hear such thing from an admin of a respected project, but I’ll not beg you to keep me or remove me. Do what you like to do. After all that is already a bad sign for the policy the Planet is run by, and I in fact ask the admin committee of the Planet to be careful in what they say, coz that might damage the image of a project by leading as a bad example of an admin.
Honestly, compare Roba’s comments (she is also an admin in Jordan Planet) and the way she opens conversation, and compare it to natasha’s!! Depressing. I wish I’ve not come to this level of conversation with someone I don’t agree with. After all, this is my opinion and a part of Jordanian Bloggers, including some Jordan Planet admins who attended that meet up.
Anyway, just my two cents…
Sorry boys and girls I don’t mean to steer the discussion into a different direction, but I’m here to say that I’m from east Amman. I was born, raised, and educated in East Amman. It is possible that I’m the only blogger from esat amman, so be it, I still feel that I can contribute in the same manner as any other blogger that was born, raised, and educated in west amman. Their issues are my my issues, east or west, it is all a matter of perception.
Haitham
Let’s not get Jordan Planet staff into this. It is obvious that my comment was signed as Natasha and not as Natasha-member of Jordan Planet Staff.
And I still stand by what I said as : your comment was condescending and borders on being arrogant and disrespectful to the Jordanian bloggers who spend lots of efforts on expressing how they feel. And no Haitham, there is no difference between Jordan Planet and the Jordanian blogoshpoere. Jordan planet is the Jordanian bloggosphere, you can not spin that. What you did was not courteous to the community that is hosting your blog. If you think it is filled with Shemisani brats then I would suggest you leave it…clear and simple.
Plus you went even further by putting this post as a track back to roba’s roundup on global voices, in which she chose snippets from Jordan Planet . What was that supposed to mean? Not only your undermined Roba’s efforts but you undermined the whole efforts of the whole group. You owe all of us an apology.
Shaden,
“We” referes to the Jordanian blogosphere that I belong to and that Haitham insulted.
lol I grew up in Toronto
Anywho, isn’t this all part of what we’ve discussed several times before. Natasha and Lina wrote posts I recall about why Jordanian bloggers don’t blog about politics, or Jordanian politics to be specific. I remember such a discussion in one of the summer meet-ups.
I don’t think there’s really an answer to it, at least not one that covers all bases, politics is not black and white.
However, despite my educational background which makes me a bit bias here, I DO believe Jordanians should take a greater interest in blogging about Politics in their country. Because I do feel it’s a “duty” on some level. No one else will do it, and what are the alternatives? mainstream media? CNN talking points? Press releases? Far from it.
Also, I dont think anyone or anything is a representation of everything and everyone. Jordan Planet represents a portion of Jordanian bloggers, but it is not the Jordanian Blogosphere. Even our supreme leader Issam knows that (im just kidding u man).
But if we insist on calling Jordan Planet the Jordanian Blogosphere well then as a citizen of that planet I personally do not feel insulted by Haitham’s opinion, it’s his right to blog it.
Aaaaanywho…Group hug everyone.
u know u want to…
You’re always guaranteed a good share of politics on my blog Haitham… Politics is the air i breathe, and if i had a wish it would be that all jordanians become politically active!
It’s not an insult if a blogger avoids talking about politics. People sometimes like to avoid trouble, besides not all people are interested in politics. You appeared a little bit judgemental and that was disappointing to me and others.
People tend to be selective in what they blog about, if they don’t know much about politics they’ll avoid talking about it, you knw well that taxi drivers talk about politics everywhere in the world including latin america, but they talk crap. Do you think it would be ok if someone talks crap in his/her blogs?
I was kidding about that shmesani kids term, it’s better be replaced now by shabab el waifer.
Haitham has the right to say whatever he wants oto say, no need ro raise a stink. I don’t even know what he’s trying yo say really. Watching this is a ton of fun though, I have to admit the “Perception is reality” comment was definitely a crigne provoking cliche.
oh yeah one more thing. Haitham why do you care what people say or don’t say on their blogs. I don’t see why people discussing the economy is important. Most people(rich or poor) are so uninformed about the intricacies of econmics. Politics? What do you mean by politics? Do you mean perhaps contrasting neo-classical kantian philosphy with Plato’s republicanism. Or perhpas Fever’s much acclaimed “CNN effect”? Do you want blogposts to discuss the advantages of the classical greco notion of the Philosopher-King? Do you mean political theoy that could be quite interesting but something tells me its not going to happen. If you mean the political scene in jordan well,,,
there’s really not much of a political scene to discuss in Jordan to begin with. Are people going to feverishly discuss an MP called matayzeh’s bill on limiting sheep movements within urban areas? What’s there to discuss?
natasha, with an open eyes and mind, anyone can see that I have not mentioned Jordan Planet anywhere. And when you commented, you ONLY mentioned the Planet and advised me to leave, so who is inserting JP in between? Me or you. On the other hand, calling Jordan Planet as The Jordanian Blogsphere is ignorance and you know it as well everyone else know it that there are so many other Jordanian bloggers who was kicked out or not yet added.
And I don’t understand what you mean the JP is hosting my blog? I’m an independent admin who run his OWN server and I admin and run more than half a dozen other website. Unless you mean my blog is aggregated on JP! Sorry, I guess you miss understand how JP and similar aggregators are run. For example, my blog is also aggregated on bahrainblogs, and palestineblogs, and BrownBloggerBrigade and so many other aggregators, but no one claimed that they “host” me.
On the other hand, let me assume that you mean the later, does that mean that JP aggregator censor what can be said and what not? I don’t think so.
As for the trackback to Roba’s post, my question is, SO? Is that a crime? that’s what trackbacks are made for. And I don’t need to remind you that I’m the editor of Middle East & North Africa at GV. So that post and all other posts pass by my desk, and I never censored anything.
Anyway, I guess you put yourself in trouble by insisting of “we” as the Jordanian Blogsphere. I can see some don’t agree with you.
But again, all your conversation is a waste of time. Instead of concentrating on the main issue, you responded by ignorant attack, which some might agree with and some might not. But anyway, this shows an example of both types of bloggers I talked about.
Rami and Nas,
Guys, I know you both and few more have a great deal in touching on important aspects of our life. Sorry, I didn’t want to mention names at first place and say who is who, but that is not professional. But as they say:
“???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????? ”
and that’s what turned up. But that’s pathetic. Some people think that they have the truth, only truth and no one else does. That’s not right. If I’m wrong on what I said and upset many, then I’ll be happy. But I don’t see that coming. All what I see is self defense in some cases, ignorant attacks, and few, very few open minded honest bloggers who’s conversation in healthy manner, even that which does not agree, like Roba’s and Hareega, which I respect a big deal.
Anyway…
Hareega my friend,
You don’t have to talk politics. Guys I said it so many times now. Read what SC and Nas said about talking politics. It’s really not a big deal. All what I’m asking for is devote “part” of your blogs to what touches our life and live, society, economics, etc… and it should not be in a PhD format with references and researches etc… it can be a simple photo, single photo of something like “a class room in a public school”, or a “road in one of our villages”, etc… it can be a quote of someone from decision makers; it can be reflections of new/old laws, etc… it can be anything. Of course beside blogging your daily life, what you eat, watch, drink or anything of you interest.
Guys, we have a big duty. We reflect part of the known Jordanian Blogsphere, and that is shown to everyone around the world. It is our duty to be good representatives of our society. In all field. Art, why not. Technology, great. Politics, even better, etc… I beg you and all concerned and open one of the blog search engines like technocrati for example and go and see the top 20 news blogged every day. You will be surprised to find that they are 99% politics. And they are 99% about us in the Middle East. And they are 99% by non Middle Eastern. You will get frustrated to read what they are writing about you, and your voice is not heard. Why is that? Why can’t we be on same level if not better? Why can’t we have our voice heard? Simply I can answer you, coz we don’t have that voice in first place. Coz you will hardly find any one talking about their country and defending their values and beliefs. That’s why we are labeled by the mass media as terrorist, ignorant, sex addicted; illiterate, just name it…
Anyway, I might have been a little harsh, but believe me I mean no bad to anyone. Just felt it’s my responsibility to say what I said, and I did. Now, some taking it easy and understand, some are not, that’s not in my hand. But I trust that there are many, so many great blogger in Jordan who does already represent their country in best possible way.
Peace!
haitham, i agree with you 100% I don’t know how natasha defined jordan planet, she can call it what she likes, but what she said is completely wrong. no one can claim that a small group of bloggers are the blogsphere of that country or region. i don’t see what you said is insulting, but looks that natasha is very sensitive.
on the other hand, i follow jordan planet on daily bases to see what ppl are talking about. one the amman explosion toke place and everyone started talking about zarqawi and things happening, i had the same feel (perception) that haitham talked about. while it is natural that everyone talks about the incident now, i asked my self, where were these guys before all that happened? and where are they heading to? i thought to myself, well, it is just natural and soon everyone will return to his words; words which i can describe as entertaining only, you know, time filler for an expat living outside of jordan, hardly anything (except few) that makes me live the situation in jordan.
anyway, thank you haitham for bringing this up. and nas, i adore you. best of luck all!
lool
OK, maybe it IS time for a group hug.
but don’t count me in, I’m alergic to human contact
As a proud member of the “Shmeisany” club, I didn’t take offence to what you wrote Haitham. It was a bit condescending, but I don’t mind, I dislike and belittle most people myself.
On a more serious note, what political scene are we discussing? Jordan’s? Give me a break. There is no political ’scene’ in Jordan, besides what is labeled (????????? ????????) which are nothing more than rumor mills.
On the issues of Economics, Unemployment, Education, et al. They all fall under the umbrella of government, and in turn, politics. Claiming to be able to discern the two is invalid and is an attempt at trying to leave the conversation unscathed “But I didn’t say politics only!”
At the risk of sounding revolutionary, I’d like to point out that I am against democracy in Jordan. In order to have a vote, you must deserve/earn it. Plus, look at the US, and what happens when the uneducated masses vote. This is not a plea for the status quo, but rather a preemption against politicians who may leverage the “Let’s bring back Arab/Nasserist/Islamic/Whatever glory.” and use it to gain power through emotional and not rational appeal (The Arab achilles heel).
Anyhow, I’m not mad, I respect your views, you’re right, we need people to blog about culture (or lack thereof), politics (at risk of imprisonment), and economics (while shutting up and paying 16% VAT in real life).
Bottoms Up! ??? ??? ?????
I have to agree with Ameen
Jordan isn’t ready for democracy. But it really isn’t about education. you can never educate the population fully. Plus, what is it that we mena by education. It can’t only mean finishing school (high school) and if we take finishing college as an example that wouldn’t help either. If enough colleges were opened to accomodate the entire population then standards at those universities would drop and as such one might (I swear I’ve heard this argument from someone I know)that only people who’ve graduated from the top ten ranked universities should have the right to vote. then what? by that logic, Even ameen at the University of Arizona wouldn’t be able to vote. Don’t get me wrong im not for this.
I just dont think that democracy isnt that great to begin with.
Ameen
This is second comment that made my day here.
While I disagree with you, I respect your point of view, which is by the way a dominating culture that we as Jordanian created and believed. Probably this is what is apparently reflected in our blogs. But, let’s be fair to ourselves. Jordan is going through a massive positive changes, beside some negatives, which no nation in the world have avoided if they were in our place.
King Abdullah is a man of development. I can still remember his speech to the Jordanian politician gathering back in July. I can still remember how shocking his harsh words was to them and Jordanians in general. But let us ask ourselves a question, beside his position, what is backing him? It is his faith and trust in new generation. New generation at all levels, and that is evident in all projects and laws that came to existence under his rule.
So, who are we? Don’t we belong to the new generation? Why “Tanish” (ignore)? Why not be part of that? It’s not proper to just set and pray for God to bring oil in our land. This will never happen.
Of course I don’t blame old generation for what we are passing through. They had situations that is different than what we are going through now. But, we have to keep in mind that what applied yesterday does not apply today.
A thousand mile start with a step, and this time it is our trip. Yes, democracy might not be the solution for now, but it will be one day. We have to walk and work for it
Haitham, I agree with what you’ve said, especially in that we need to watch what we’re saying. Honeslty I tuhink that only very very few people read the blogs other than friends and/or families, no matter how thorough and smart one’s posts are, but what you’re saying makes sense.