Observations of a Misfit

One of the larger developments on the Internet in recent years has been the proliferation of personal Web logs, or “blogs.” These Web sites serve many purposes, from satisfying the obsessive nature of their creators to functioning as a “samizdat” alternative to the conservative corporate media. What’s interesting about this particular site, a combination blog and bulletin board, is that it has evolved, mostly, into a discussion about the disappearance of Modesto resident Laci Peterson and the subsequent suspicions directed toward her husband, Scott. And though the Web is awash with amateur detective bulletin boards, what makes Observations of a Misfit special is the civilized level of discourse among the participants. Moderator Loretta, a confessed blonde from Cleveland, works hard to keep the conversation from turning into the flamefests that plague many Internet boards. It’s an interesting read.