Can Blogging do any more?

It is only in times like these where disasters of such global scale do communication tools such as phones, faxes, emails etc show their true utility and usefulness. And now with the advent of Blogging as a novel way of communicating and sharing ideas, there is already a lot of talk the role Blogs have in the greater society - social and political advocacy, global dialogue etc.

From an academic point of view, I found the approach by fellow kenyan blogger Ory,(a la Kenyan Pundit) in her participation in the the Internet and society conference at HLS. unBeknownkst to many of you, you indirectly contributed to this conference..read up on the briefing materials of the conference..(if impatient, jump to page 18 for the relevant stuff)

For a less academic illustration, the way
Web logs aid in the tsunami disaster recovery seemed very apt. It is particularly interesting to note how the blog in profle is a Team blog akin to VI, which appeared very inspiring to me.

While i VI's niche is in randomn rants and off-the-tip-of-the-tongue(finger ather) conversation, i thought i should use this thread to appeal for any of you who want to help out. I read in the newspapers yesterday of a little canadian girl who gave her entire savings of $400 to people who've lost their homes to the tsunami.
Help where u can:

Red Cross | Action Against Hunger | American Jewish World Service | American Friends Service Committee | Catholic Relief Services |
Direct Relief International | Doctors Without Borders | International Medical Corps | American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee | Mercy Corps | Operation USA | Save the Children | Islamic Relief USA

On that note I'd like to hear from you guys if, when and what sort of a role you think virtually Insanity can play in the grand scheme of things..