Comments on: MedBlogs Grand Rounds 3:16

By: GruntDoc

GruntDoc — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 02:59:02 +0000

Themes are very empowering to the host: their number of submitted posts is a fraction of a non-themed GRounds, and therefore makes the job easier.

My problem with themed rounds is that a) it excludes a LOT of excellent writing on blogs that, for whatever reason didn’t write about that weeks’ theme, depriving them of links, traffic and comments, and b) if the theme chosen isn’t interesting to some readers they aren’t going to read any of it. Frankly, none of the themed rounds have been remarkable to me, except for their brevity.

So, I’m still against them, and will participate only if they fit what I was already blogging.

By: Signout

Signout — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 02:41:00 +0000

Wow! I didn’t realize there was so much disgruntlement (heh) over having themed Grand Rounds. A theme seemed like a good way to collect a bunch of talented writers in blogging about something that all of them can easily write or have already likely written about. It also seemed that, to the reader, a themed collection can make a stronger point as a whole than a non-themed collection.

I know I can’t please everyone, and I’m not going to try to. However, I do urge you to consider the advantages of a themed GR–and considering how incredibly likely it is that your work could fit into it–before writing it off wholesale.

By: dribear

dribear — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:41:06 +0000

Not a fan of themes either, and hence why I didn’t submit this week. When I read the amount of time some bloggers spent on grand rounds it made me feel inadequate. sheesh

By: GruntDoc

GruntDoc — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 23:39:47 +0000

Geez, I didn’t realize next week’s is also a ‘theme’. I swear some of these hosts think we’re part of a writing school.

OTOH, it’s a clever way to keep the number of posts down, making their job of hosting a lot easier. Which begs the question why many hosts need 36 hours to prepare.

By: EMTtoDoc

EMTtoDoc — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 23:25:13 +0000

Not that I’m some huge blogging powerhouse or anything, but I considered submitting this week.
“Emotions in Healthcare” theme?

I feel like I’m writing a paper for school. Unless I can submit an old post.

By: Dr. Nic

Dr. Nic — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 23:18:11 +0000

I’m with you and Bard-Parker on the theme idea. I had a great post to submit to grand rounds, but I wasn’t about to re-write it to fit a food theme. I find the theme constraining rather than inspiring. I think it limits quality posts.

dr. nic