2005 Koufax Awards are up. You can nominate me or, I guess, other people. But then you'd be traitors. Which is actually fine. Truth of it is, I don't deserve any of the awards. I think Tapped is the best Pro and Group blog, but that's something of a different issue. And, to be honest, I thought my Health of Nations series was pretty good, but I don't think it's the sort of set that really attracts statuettes.
I'm never sure how to feel about these award thingies. They're fun for the community, I guess. Deep down, though, I think the whole concept a bit poor. The blogs that'll come out on top are not, I feel, the ones that deserve the widest recognition. If you ever want to understand how blogs work, read some network theory, nodes and all that. The largest grow almost despite themselves, and the smaller ones basically can't. At the beginning, there was something of a meritocratic element to it, but I don't think the cream rises any longer, and I think the blogosphere as a whole rewards a sort of site that's not necessarily a positive contribution to the polity. It's taken on an automatic, structural trajectory, and the few exceptions tend to worry rather than hearten me.
There are, however, a spectacular number of good blogs out there. Many go all too unread. Tons of them I've never seen. It's a pity. So use this thread, not for Koufax awards (use Wampum's threads for that), but for hidden gems. Actually, fuck hidden, just gems. For me, I'd have to go with Brad Plumer's wonkery, Kate's health care coverage, LGM's general awesomeness and perfect tone, Laura's casual brilliance, Lance Mannion's fireworks of eloquence, Shakespeare's Sister's passion, The Carpetbagger's political thoroughness, Graham's wonderful chronicle of his residency, Intueri's literary account of psychiatric wards, Fortuna's idiosyncratic musings, and a bunch more I'm ashamed and guilty to have forgotten.
While suggesting yours, keep in mind that I want to bring more folks on for the weekends. Ideally, I'd like a large stable of guestbloggers who could really make for a different experience on Saturdays and Sundays. So if you've folks you think would add to the site, make sure to point 'em out.
