I do wonder, though: What are the minimum credentials for "the finest bloggers"?
The finest bloggers, meaning the finest writers who happen to write primarily online, got good, like every other writer, by reading, and writing. These things—particularly the writing part—can be accomplished for free, without ever paying a penny to Duke or any other university, and without filling out an application form to an academic program.
I agree with the thrust of this Gawker post but is it so difficult to demonstrate? A very quickie fix:
Like every other fine writer, the finest bloggers--that is, the finest writers that happen to write primarily online--got there by reading and writing. These things, particularly the writing part, can be achieved at very little monetary cost and without ever paying a penny to Duke or any other university.
I would add that they got there by reading a great deal of fine writing that has never appeared in a blog post. And, oh, this isn't an academic program. Participants aren't getting credit, never mind a degree in blogging. I think a hallmark of much blogging, including Gawker blogging, is that rush to reaction when, with just a little poking around, the writer would have discovered that there isn't much to be irate or snarky about. How disappointing.