What is Blog: Definition and 57 Discussions

A blog (a truncation of "weblog") is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries (posts). Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page. Until 2009, blogs were usually the work of a single individual, occasionally of a small group, and often covered a single subject or topic. In the 2010s, "multi-author blogs" (MABs) emerged, featuring the writing of multiple authors and sometimes professionally edited. MABs from newspapers, other media outlets, universities, think tanks, advocacy groups, and similar institutions account for an increasing quantity of blog traffic. The rise of Twitter and other "microblogging" systems helps integrate MABs and single-author blogs into the news media. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
The emergence and growth of blogs in the late 1990s coincided with the advent of web publishing tools that facilitated the posting of content by non-technical users who did not have much experience with HTML or computer programming. Previously, a knowledge of such technologies as HTML and File Transfer Protocol had been required to publish content on the Web, and early Web users therefore tended to be hackers and computer enthusiasts. In the 2010s, the majority are interactive Web 2.0 websites, allowing visitors to leave online comments, and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them from other static websites. In that sense, blogging can be seen as a form of social networking service. Indeed, bloggers not only produce content to post on their blogs but also often build social relations with their readers and other bloggers. However, there are high-readership blogs which do not allow comments.
Many blogs provide commentary on a particular subject or topic, ranging from philosophy, religion, and arts to science, politics, and sports. Others function as more personal online diaries or online brand advertising of a particular individual or company. A typical blog combines text, digital images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability of readers to leave publicly viewable comments, and interact with other commenters, is an important contribution to the popularity of many blogs. However, blog owners or authors often moderate and filter online comments to remove hate speech or other offensive content. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (art blogs), photographs (photoblogs), videos (video blogs or "vlogs"), music (MP3 blogs), and audio (podcasts). In education, blogs can be used as instructional resources; these are referred to as edublogs. Microblogging is another type of blogging, featuring very short posts.
'Blog' and 'blogging' are now loosely used for content creation and sharing on social media, especially when the content is long-form and one creates and shares content on regular basis. So, one could be maintaining a blog on Facebook or blogging on Instagram.
On February 16, 2011, there were over 156 million public blogs in existence.
On February 20, 2014, there were around 172 million Tumblr and 75.8 million WordPress blogs in existence worldwide. According to critics and other bloggers, Blogger is the most popular blogging service used today. However, Blogger does not offer public statistics. Technorati lists 1.3 million blogs as of February 22, 2014.

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  1. P

    What is your favorite technical physics blog?

    I like to read the following blogs: Shtetl Optimized by Scott Aaronson: https://scottaaronson.blog/ Not Even Wrong by Peter Woit: https://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/ More Quantum by Mateus Araujo: https://mateusaraujo.info/ and I used to like Sean Carroll and Sabine Hossenfelder...
  2. kakaho345

    Studying Starting a Blog After Leaving a PhD Program: Overcoming Mental Health Challenges

    I was in a PhD program in Physics, I dropped out due to mental health issue, now that I am out of the distress, I actually want to get back to research. But I don't want to once again get into mental health problem. So I wonder if I am allowed to post here and update daily as a blog? Or any...
  3. M

    What is Fermat's Theorem on Light?

    Hi, I'm Michael, a high schooler very passionate about physics. My favorite physics theorem is Fermat's Theorem on light. I'm also very into computer science and math. I run a physics blog. I look forward to discussions on physics forum!
  4. Theia

    MHB Would you read a blog about numerical analysis?

    Hey! I have been thinking about different topics on mathematics, and for some reason I feel, that applied mathematics and doing numerical computations is often overlooked. When I was studying in university, more than 95 % of all examples which would require numerical methods were either omitted...
  5. M

    Does anybody know of a blog that talks about speculative tech?

    I already watch Isaac Arthur but I want something I can read. Does anybody know of any ongoing blogs that discuss futuristic tech and science. Amateur and new blogs very much preferred.
  6. L

    How to replicate Linux Academy's videos for blog?

    Hi, I'm starting a blog that will have computer-related courses on there. My question is how exactly do I replicate the way that courses are made on Linux academy? What software and hardware do I need? what ediiting software should I use? What exactly do I need to replicate the videos like Linux...
  7. Gayathri MK

    What are the benefits of seeking guidance from a student counselor and blogger?

    Hi, All! This is Gayathri, I am a Student Counselor and Blogger. I am Kerala. I like to read Books, write Blogs and listen to songs. I made my presence particularly to Ask my Doubts if any and Guide students with my Suggestions.
  8. Ackbach

    MHB Data Science and Systems Integration Blog Post

    Really excited about this blog post by yours truly. Wineman Technology is going places!
  9. A

    Help adding code block on my blog?

    I was wondering if you guys could help me design (code) a slick code block in my blog like the one here that the reader could scroll? I'm very new to HTML and Java but if I could get just a little help, I would work on it. I really don't have a clue how to add the following to my HTML file but...
  10. marcus

    I A new blog about LQG and related

    http://relatively-quantum.bodendorfer.eu Norbert Bodendorfer started a blog this year that seems to answer a need. Loop QG research is going through a fertile transformative period--generating lots of new ideas and new questions to work on. Bodendorfer's blog, called Relatively Quantum, can...
  11. H

    Searching for a Blog or Web Site

    My girlfriend made me get a blog (long story). I signed up for Wordpress which is free and mostly good but their formatting software is way too buggy. I can't do very basic things. Good points of Wordpress No ads. Attractive appearance Very easy to "share" with Facebook. That's the #2...
  12. Strilanc

    Criticism of blog post on quantum pigeonhole principle

    I wrote a blog post explaining the quantum pigeonhole paper (but critical of their interpretation of that result). As part of trying to improve at writing, I'm requesting criticism. What was confusing, what was good, what was rushed, what was wrong, etc. Also discussion about the quantum...
  13. Cosmophile

    Where Can I Blog About Science with LaTeX Support?

    Hey, all. I'm looking to start a blog to keep up with my academic progress. I was wondering what medium you guys would recommend for something like this. I'd like it to have LaTeX support similar to what we have here at PF.
  14. Anymodal

    Solving Math Blog Problem - Gaussianos.com

    Hi, I came upon this problem in an old paper in my desk. I remember that I read it on the internet (I'm almost sure from the math blog gaussianos.com) and couldn't solve it. I study engineering. The problem is to find an ƒ(t) such that: ƒ[(x^2) + x*y + ƒ(y)] = [ƒ(x)]^2 + x*ƒ(y) + y I'm not...
  15. Laura Forczyk

    A Space Geek's Return to the Forums

    Hello all! I was a member of this forum years ago when I was a student. A drive to give back to the community has brought me back here as a professional. I hope that I can help with my limited experiences! I live on the Space Coast of Florida and work at Kennedy Space Center. I help to run a...
  16. Evanish

    Help with an equation for a blog post please

    I don't know any calculus but I'm pretty sure it's what I need to figure out an equation I need for a blog post I'm working on. Here's the blog post. http://ratdog-justbecause.blogspot.com/2015/01/low-eroei-and-low-power-density-is.html . I think maybe what I'm looking for is the Σ as n...
  17. dextercioby

    LaTeX Just opened a blog and want to LaTex it. Help?

    Hi, people, so I saw this: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/who-here-blogs-not-pf-blog-and-uses-latex.571791/ using the search function, but still didn't quite get it. :( I've just created a personal blog under the blogger.com website (or htpt:/notadvertisingit.blogspot.com) and of...
  18. metapuff

    LaTeX Starting a Physics Blog (latex advice)

    I'm starting a little blog about physics and math stuff. Wordpress.com looked like the obvious place to start, but I found that it's been pretty hard to get equations looking nice with LaTex (viz, you can't have equations on their own lines, the font size is off, etc). Do any of you who have...
  19. T

    General How stuff works video capsules, blog or podcast?

    General "How stuff works" video capsules, blog or podcast? Hey, I'd really like to spend a few minutes (15-30 minutes per day) learning about how random stuff works. Anything from electronics to cars to specific pieces of technologies, to industrial processes, etc. I'm posting in this...
  20. Ackbach

    MHB Interesting Blog Post for Math Teachers

    Thought this Tim Gowers post was quite interesting.
  21. D

    New Science Blog -> Looking for input/advice

    Hi Guys, I am starting a new blog and was looking for a bit of input. As I have friends in many "interesting" research groups around the UK, I was thinking of doing a bit of science journalism, interviewing people about their research. I was looking for input/advice, specifically if there...
  22. Andre

    Web Blog Awards 2012: I Can Has Cheezburger Wins Pet Category

    They have been announced yesterday The most relevant for PF is likely the pet winner, I can has scheezburger, the major source here I'm afraid that many winners can't be mentioned, like the best science blog, life time achievement and such.
  23. Saladsamurai

    LaTeX Who Here Blogs (not PF Blog) and Uses LaTeX?

    I am interested in starting a Blog (not using PF Blog; nothing personal :wink:) on Mechanical Engineering related things. I will need to have equations and such, preferably LaTeX. I know next to nothing about starting my own blog, but it seems I would have 2 options: 1) Use a free blog site like...
  24. A

    Insights on high GPA - for nonprof blog

    Hey guys, I'm a 3rd year studying mechanical engineering. I blog for a nonprofit that helps first generation students get access to higher education; in my next blog, I'd like to have a community created list of advice, tips, tools, and quirky methods of how other students have achieved a...
  25. R

    Need some advice on starting a blog

    I've been wanting to start a blog/website to host my interests in physics and astronomy. I don't know how to make a website so I was wondering if you guys know any blog sites that are pretty good for a science oriented person. I was thinking of trying out Google's blogger but if you guys have...
  26. F

    Where Can I Find a Comprehensive Guide to Mathematical Symbols on Physics Blogs?

    Does anyone know whose profile have all the mathematical and other symbols I need? I saw it on this person's once, and it was very very well-organized. I know this is a vague question... I don't mean Doc Al's LaTeX guide, I mean just the ones we copy and paste and it isn't included in...
  27. marcus

    Plug for Bee Hossenfelder blog (QG phenom'ist and conference organizer)

    Bee has organized two conferences on "The Experimental Search for Quantum Gravity". She is a QG phenomenologist. It's a hard and valuable field. We need to check for observable traces of different QG models. Bee and her husband Stefan run one of the best physics blogs. You might want to...
  28. jtbell

    News The Way Out West (summer road trip blog)

    I'm on the road, heading from South Carolina to Arizona and southern California and back. I'll post some pictures along the way as I get time. Day 1 I generally avoid the Interstates (motorways to non-Americans) where possible, so I started out by crossing the middle of Georgia, via Macon...
  29. M

    Why Do People Make Blogs and Websites?

    Hello, I am a 2nd year student of socoial science department I am racking my brain why people make a blog, I have tried once but no body answers, i like my blog to have as many people's replies as this site's I have read several blogs that have a bunch of replies Though I don't know what...
  30. kuruman

    LaTeX Using LateX in Blog: Tips for Including Code in Your Posts

    Is there a way to include LateX code in a blog posting? Thanks.
  31. H

    Blog with TeX Support - Find a Blog for Physics and Math

    Hi, I want to write some articles in a blog. The blog should be a kind of online diary for my proceedings and cognitions in physics and math. I found a lot of blogs but without a directly latex support :( I know I could work with images, like creating the TeX somewhere else and...
  32. Andre

    Vote for Best Science Blog - 2008 Weblog Awards

    It's time to vote again for the best science blog http://2008.weblogawards.org/polls/best-science-blog// There are other categories too: http://2008.weblogawards.org/polls/
  33. S

    Using a photo from a blog: copyrights?

    Hey all, So I found this really great picture on a blog the picture owner did forward to the blog owner and he published it. I want to use it for things like my facebook picture 'its about football' or may be for other things, but not for commercial purposes or gaining money ..etc Can I...
  34. marcus

    Feynmania-fond/inspiring memories (and ask Wolram to start a blog)

    Feynmania--fond/inspiring memories (and ask Wolram to start a blog) I'd like to share this. http://www.longnow.org/views/essays/articles/ArtFeynman.php Thanks to Swans on Tea for the link http://blogs.scienceforums.net/swansont/archives/352 ======================= When I came here to post...
  35. moe darklight

    Is WordPress the Best Blog Host? And Why Did I Start a Blog?

    there are so many! they all look the same to me... are they? anyway, I decided to have a blog because... um... well— if leave-Britney-alone guy can, so can I!
  36. H

    How to type Maths Equation in Blog

    Recently I am planning to start a blog with wordpress. I am thinking of posting some mathematics question...but how am I supposed to type in all the symbols? Currently I have to copy the symbols from other site and paste them in my own blog...
  37. marcus

    Noncommutative Geometry blog has audio of David Hilbert

    the NCG blog has various interesting stuff one thing was this link to a 4 minute talk by David Hilbert http://math.sfsu.edu/smith/Documents/HilbertRadio/HilbertRadio.mp3 wide audience, nontechnical here's NCG blog http://noncommutativegeometry.blogspot.com/ and the brief post about...
  38. qspeechc

    Find the Best Blogging Site for You!

    Ok, so I finally succumbed to this whole blogging thing, I want to get one. So what website do you guys recommend? It has to have a minimum level of intelligence of its users, and preferably not too many users joined to the site. Heck, any good site will do. Suggestions?
  39. M

    LaTeX No Latex Support in Blog Entries?

    I just wrote my first blog entry (just a short test) but it seems that Latex does not work. I simply get a message it is generating but no result is ever given. Is Latex not supported in blog entries? :cry: MJ Oh, never mind I just saw that there is already a topic open on this issue...
  40. T

    Start Blogging: 8 Nuts in a Duffel Bag Blog

    Here mine: http://www.imgonnab.blogspot.com/" [Broken] Post yours below if you guys have one... Oh... by the way... we started a group blog called 8 nuts in a duffel bag blog... check it out here: http://www.8nuts.blogspot.com/" [Broken] We are still looking for more people to...
  41. marcus

    Is Information Theory the Key to Quantum Gravity? A Rant from an Angry Physicist

    this new blog (that Peter Woit flagged) is potentially very interesting and has an uninhibited style http://angryphysicist.wordpress.com/about/ ==quote== Rantings of an Angry Physicist An angry Physicist ranting about Quantum Gravity, foundational Quantum Mechanics, the gross incompotency of...
  42. B

    Blog Wars: Woit and Smolin vs Motl

    I am one of those laymen who wish to go beyond the popularizations of Greene, Randall, Smolin and others. I thought it might be worthwhile to follow the blogs of scientists/researchers such as Peter Woit, Lubos Motl, etc. Unfortunately, those blogs are little more than mud-slinging contests...
  43. marcus

    Zing-Zong. Bee's blog only gets better

    Bee Hossenfelder used to post here at PF, we can proudly say we knew her before she started blogging. her and Stefan's blog, called Backreaction, is especially entertaining (even compared to other physics blogs, several of which are occasionally quite witty) I felt I had to mention this recent...
  44. marcus

    As if summoned from the void (nitin's new blog)

    http://commeappeleduneant.blogspot.com/ nitin has an exceptionally fine blog style IMO, or style of thinking in proximity to his blog judging from just two entries. it is very new, and called in French Comme appelé du néanthe has a bit about Phil Anderson (condensed matter Nobelist) and a...
  45. Mk

    Who is the legendary boxer who proclaimed 'I am the greatest'?

    We've been blogged! http://skepsisfera.blogspot.com/2005/09/beware-of-revolutionary-theories.html
  46. S

    My blog about my experiences defending science

    (Hello physics forums. I absolutely love the level of discussion here, and I look forward to contributing as soon as I figure out what you're all talking about.) I attend creationism/ID meetings to defend against misrepresentations of science. Since there is no debate, I don't attend to do...
  47. marcus

    Victor Rivelles blog from Eurostrings 2006

    http://rivelles.blogspot.com/2006/04/eurostrings-2006.html#links Victor is ordinarily at Sao Paolo Brazil but just now he is at Cambridge UK for Eurostrings 2006 he reports an odd thing happened. Because Arkani-Hamed didnt show up, they replaced his with a talk by Kaspar Peeters about...
  48. marcus

    VOTE for the best QG paper, at Christine's blog

    Christine Dantas wants your idea of what was the best QG paper of 2005. http://christinedantas.blogspot.com/ http://christinedantas.blogspot.com/2006/01/vote-for-best-quantum-gravity-paper-in.html [Broken]
  49. marcus

    Christine Dantas new blog

    Christine is interested in astrophysical tests of Quantum Gravity (like AUGER and GLAST, the first of which has already started) she is an astrophysicist at the brazil National Institute of Space Research (if I get it right). I think she is a postdoc or beginning faculty I really like her...
  50. marcus

    Shtetl-optimized, an attractive blog

    http://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/ see what you think, I think he writes well and has original thoughts. sometimes the topics are related to quantum gravity scott aaronson is in computing, at Waterloo, incidentally where Perimeter is but no connection AFAIK
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