Thoughts of a first time blogger



Thursday, 8. September 2011

Author

Matthias Fügi

The 10th Dialogue on Science will be my personal first. My first Academia Engelberg conference I’ll attend.

My first conference as a blogger. Actually, the first time I’ll be blogging at all. Interesting fact, if one comes to think of it. I mean, I use instant messenger, youtube, google, I recently got an invitation to join google+ and I have heard of myspace, twitter and co. I even have a facebook profile – but then, who doesn’t? I got a smart phone, have access to the internet everywhere at anytime and the hard copy version of my agenda I carry around is a relict of times long gone.

It is funny in a way, thus, that I never went blogging before. Is it because I don’t have anything to say? Do I want to keep my thoughts to myself, rather that share them with God knows whom? No. I just haven’t had the right opportunity so far. Really? It rather seems to me, that I’m getting older – and non the wiser, by the way – since I simply don’t know how to blog. My interest in and understanding of social media seems to lack behind ever since twitter came into fashion. Digital overkill? Maybe. RSS feeds, podcast, hashtags, you name them. Who can follow this?

So why will I be blogging for the Academia Engelberg during the 10th Dialogue of Science? Because “personalized medicine” – maybe I should put a hashtag in front of that – is an important matter, that affects each and everyone.

Because I am looking forward to participate in a conference, that aims to build a bridge between science and society. Science needs to get out of its ivory tower. And then of course, I am inquisitive – as any other human being is as well. Therefore, by blogging during the conference, I also hope to get a first hand insight to communications, social media, blogging, twitter et cetera.

Apart from looking forward to the talks from top class representatives from science and leaders from politics, economics, culture and society, I want to improve my writing skills and learn about communication via social media. So that, in the end, I can contribute to open the discussion on “personalized medicine” and as a by-product of our work I will master the correct use of a hashtag.

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