Blog Pioneers

As a stepping-off point. a blue-ribbon panel of seven individuals could be assembled to help guide the development of the Hall, which could include multiple categories such as: Pioneers, Groups, Individuals, Trendsetters, International, Historical Bloggers (Luther, Paine, Orwell as examples -- see Fredrik Wacka's post: 500 years of Blogging History), etc.

As an example of establishing protocol, this panel could select a certain number of Nominees each year, and a much larger select group of several hundred could vote on inducting them into the Hall -- as could the general blogging public.  The group and the general blogging population could each represent 50% of the combined vote.  Each individual could only vote once, and each Inductee could have a permanent place on the panel.  And of course, all this is to the discretion of said panel. 

The process would also call for excellent writers to create short biographies for each Nominee and extended bios for each Inductee, which would become part of the permanent record.

Whereas this blog is a place to discuss the process and sort out ideas, several Websites (BlogPioneers.com, BlogPioneers.org, WeblogPioneers.com, and WeblogPioneers.org) have been secured to house the Hall; once again, the panel and group can decide what's best.  Prior to that, we're setting up a page at DeepBlog.com where there will be temporary room for the Hall and voting until they can be transferred to a permanent nonprofit site -- several corporate or individual sponsors will help expedite the process.

So, what do you think?

Is there a need to organize a permanent record of those (like Dave Winer, David Sifry, Tim Berners-Lee, Evan Williams, Meg Hourihan, Paul Bausch, Mena Trott, Ben Trott, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Les Ernest, Justin Hall, Brad Fitzpatrick, Rebecca Blood, Jay Rosen, Dan Gillmore, Nick Denton, Scott W. Johnson, Jorn Barger, Scott Watermasysk, Glenn Reynolds, Jim Romenesko, Carolyn Burke, Lawrence Lessig, Rebecca McKinnon, David Weinberger, Adam Curry, Charles Johnson,  Shel Israel,  Wil Wheaton, Xeni Jardin, Joi Ito, Sean Bonner, and Markos Zuniga to name but a few) who have helped create, nurture and advance one ot the greatest milestones of free thought and free speech in our collective history?

And if so, how is the panel formed?  Who is worthy of nomination?  And what better ideas lend themselves to the process?

It would be a wonderful thing for future societies to easily find and know the great efforts of these Inductees and how these Blog Pioneers, and pioneers yet to come, helped shape those future societies.

Any Suggestions?  Any Volunteers?

Soon, we'll need to commission exceptional Artists, Writers, and Video Biographers -- is that you?

Respectfully,
Michael Schaefer

News: 
We have some big news on the horizon, thanks to the help of some very upstanding, topnotch bloggers.  Stay tuned -- The Blog Pioneers Hall of Fame is about to become a reality.  And with great people involved, our goal of establishing a principled project of Blog History, for now and into the future, will be a proud place for bloggers.

Please click here to leave your comment at BlogPioneers.blog.com.