SBL sessions designed by and for bibliobloggers?

I’ve written Jim West about this. Here are my concerns. Unless the design is thought through carefully, the sessions will not adequately address issues of interest to anyone who goes online, such as: is it okay to blog anonymously; standards of excellence in the presentation of (1) data; (2) secondary literature; and (3) previous online discussion; pros and cons of online resources including Wikipedia, JHS and WiBiLex; the interface of biblical blogging with blogging about current events; and so on.

There is always the risk that the organizers – Jim West and his unnamed colleagues, to judge by the announcement - will push a pet agenda rather than create a forum in which all positions are accorded equal respect. It’s a balancing act. We’ll see how well Jim and his friends walk the tight rope.

Like most biblical bloggers, I have strongly held opinions on the listed issues. I will be writing about them in the coming weeks. 

Comments

[Duane]

John,

You didn't mention the interface of biblical blogging and Mark Twain blogging. As I'm sure you are aware, this is a very important issue that deserves several sessions in its own right. :-)

[JohnFH]

Hi Duane,

If the right person delivered a paper on that topic (that would be you), I would enjoy hearing it. Be sure to lace it with lots of Twain quotes and some kind of overview of Twain's "disrespectful" take on elitist thinking of all kinds, including that of his religious peers.