Petrona

Maxine Clarke is a mega-blogger. She authors seven blogs, mostly about her love of books, publishing, and the writing world. Petrona is her personal blog, which shares the life and thoughts of a mother of two living in the South of England. Maxine has been a science journal editor for most of her working life, but in reading Petrona it can seem like she was reborn once she became a blogger. It started as an experiment, but then became substantially meaningful to her, if not her favorite personal pursuit. She is blown away by the power of connection in the international community of bloggers, and is open when pondering the collective blogging life: "Perhaps the effects will be similar to the society-changing effect of mass introduction of TV. This new power, however arises from not only being a mass media like TV but by being an open, interactive system, controlled at the individual's level; enabled by information technology, not a passive recipient of it. I sometimes wonder what Orwell would have made of it all." Petrona will surprise you. As Maxine examines her life and what she's reading and learning, you'll find yourself increasingly pensive. It takes more than a few posts for it to sink in, but the underlying messages are clear -- learn, connect, think for yourself, and grow.

Comments

[Susan]

Your review of 'Petrona' is very good. I've been reading the blog for some time and I think your reviewer has done an excellent job of presenting information about one of my favourites.