The invention of the internet, to say the least, is perhaps the undisputed heavy weight champion in regards to its link within modern day popular culture; and internet communication is the central nervous system.  Blogging, of course, is only one facet that makes up the whole matrix of internet communication; nevertheless, it has defined itself as a key player within that matrix.
            The blogosphere (world of blogging) first surfaced in the late 90s; it was mainly understood as merely online postings of personal journals of one’s daily activities and/or thoughts typically viewed by a relatively small audience.  However, as technology within the internet advanced and popularity among personal online journals increased, blogging sites soon were born, such as blogger.com (one of the first known blog sites), to broaden the experience.  The emergence of blogging sites provided the avid journal writer a large, more public, domain to be viewed. It didn’t take long for blog sites to grow, flourish, and ultimately lead into the grand influx of popularity in blogging as we know it today.
            In Dustin Kidd’s article, “Harry Potter and the Function of Popular Culture,” he defines five major functions that establish something as popular culture--social norms, social behaviors, rituals, innovation, and social change.  Blogging, undoubtedly, brings out every facet.  Blogging has developed several social norms that provide the groundwork to becoming a successful (large audience) blogger. But as with any norms, the failure to adhere to the norms will breed disappointment (small or no audience).
            The blog setting is an excellent opportunity for the person who enjoys sharing thoughts and ideas to an almost countless audience of readers, and does not mind expressing it through writing. However, there is a catch (isn’t there always a catch?). Indeed, there is a vast audience of readers out there, but the readers are not just sitting idly, ready to read something fresh, new, or entertaining (they have better things to do); there has to be something to draw them in.  The simple remedy is to share the love, so to speak; go to the blog readers, read their material, leave a comment (never forget to comment), and soon, the readers will come--“If you [read it] they will come.”
            Another, and yet, equally important social norm within blogging, which I already briefly mentioned, is to leave a comment.  Leaving a comment is crucial, even if the comment is, “Hey, nice read” or “Good post.” The blog author will appreciate the interest. If by chance, disagreement surfaces, leaving a comment of disagreement is absolutely acceptable when given in a respectful manner. And like the first norm, there is a catch.  Disagreeing comments can lead into an often lengthy back and forth discussion (debate).  So accept it, take it by the horns, and keep it cool.  A healthy debate “strengthens the pen” (adds knowledge and confidence). If it happens to be a loss, no big deal; a calm presentation in a losing debate, or even a winning one, can help bolster the audience. There are always those silent, fly-on-the-wall, bloggers who have been taking notice, lurking without notice, testing other’s abilities.
            Kidd’s second function, social boundaries, is easily seen within blogging.  Many blog websites encourage social boundaries by allowing the blogger to place his or her blog into a variety of categories or themes, such as religion, politics and romance.   Even if the blog site does not offer categorizing, most, if not all, offer the blogger the option to tag his or her post within categories similar to the examples I gave above.  By using these two methods of categorizing, the blogger is enticing other bloggers within specific social groups or communities that fit within their subject of interest.
            However, out of all the various social boundaries, there is perhaps one social boundary that is quite unique in the blog world: the focused manner with which the blogger uses the internet.  The non-blogger can, at times, have a focused agenda when using the resources of the internet. But more often than not, the approach is random with no fixed goal; and the internet usually becomes merely a tool to check email, downloads songs, or browse aimlessly to kill time.  The blogger, on the other hand, approaches the internet with a much more focused agenda--the blog.  Instantly, at the moment of internet connection, the blogger wastes no time hitting their blog site to check the community’s activity, read new comments, reply to comments, or check out the latest and greatest blogs.  The loyalty to the blog and blog community takes first priority to the faithful blogger; “haste makes waste” is the mindset of the blogger.
            Needless to say, the functions of social boundaries in blogging lead right into Kidd’s third function: rituals.  The foundation to the rituals within blogging is defined as associating with like-minded people and the comments are the essential catalyst of the interaction.  In other words, if blogging is the church, the blog would be the sermon, and comments would be the “Amen!”  No matter the group, no matter the theme, comments are the binders that connect solidarity from one blogger to another.  Furthermore, this first blogging ritual weaves right into another, which I like to call, language identification.  In every particular blog society, though not applied as an official rule, there exists a language that is expected.  This language, of course, does not mean a particular foreign language, but rather, a writing style in which particular word usage is associated with the group.  It is very crucial for a blogger to know and understand his or her group’s lingo; because without it acceptance within the group will be a struggle.
            As important as the norms, social boundaries, and ritual are to the blogging world, Kidd’s third and fourth functions--innovation and social change--truly bring out the overall picture that blogging contributes to the matrix of internet communication.  Blogging has revolutionized the innovation of bringing writing back into a technical world which is vastly consumed with vocal and visual communication.  More and more people--regular, everyday, people--that want to share their thoughts, opinions, and ideas to the world around them see blogging as the perfect stage to make it known. Moreover, blogging has innovated the stage for businesses to advertise their products, political parties to promote their agendas, and religious organizations to educate others on their beliefs.
            The social changes that blogging has produced are almost endless.  People who were once in the dark concerning contrasting views to their own beliefs have broadened their perspectives on particular subjects that otherwise would have remained narrow.  In addition, blogging has helped to open the public’s eye on various global, political, and environmental issues that would never been presented on television or radio. Because of that, many issues have been exposed, changed, or gotten better as a result.
            The blogging phenomenon has developed much and has paved the way for many incredible functions within internet communication.  “Visit my blog” has become a token phrase on television and radio today; the days of people scratching their head at the term “blog” are a thing of the past.  There is so much that can be said about the various aspects blogging has brought to this world. By far, it has opened the door, bringing separate worlds together to share opinions and ideas. In all, is opening the horizon to erasing the many preconceived stereotypes we have about other people and cultures that the mainstream media has given.