As a spin-off of some April Fool’s blog posts (Robert Scoble, Steve Rubel,Â? and Debbie Weil to name a few), Debbie made a prediction for 2006 (My prediction). Although I can’t totally discredit what she’s saying, that given the “power” of the blogosphere, posters and readersÂ? will have to be careful about the validity of information in blogs, I also can’t completely agree with it. The example she gives is obviously a good one, regarding Kryptonite bike locks and the blog post on Endgadget. But I have a couple different points to make about the post.

The post was made in 2004. Although this may seem insignificant, the blog world has definitely changed in the last 2 years (see Steve Rubel’s blog for some quick facts on blogs). For example, theÂ? Kryptonite situation may have been sqashed quite quickly if the company had their own blog at the time (which they may have), and oneÂ? quick post on Endgadget that linked toÂ? their blog or aÂ? press release about the situation.Â? As well, with the general population having more knowledge about how blogs work, one would hope that the “Chicken Little” phenomenon would become less likely and less far-reaching - the sky really wasn’t falling. With a better understanding of blogs and the blog world, people will migrate towards the growing number of reputable blogs, if not as a primary source of information, then at least to try and verify the rumours. Robert Young even suggests on GigaomÂ? that blogs have become a way to filter informaiton from several different publications like the NY Times and LA Times, almost alleviating the need to visit those publications directly unless further information is desired.

Again, I think Debbie raises a good point, you definitely can’t believe everything you read in the blogosphere, and more importantly, those participating should really consider the power of their own words. However, the next time I hear the sky is falling, I’ll be checking out SiliconBeat to see if it’s Web 2.0 and how much was raised in the first round of funding.

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