Keep an online diary for a day

Mass Observation - the social research movement that records the everyday lives of Britons - moves into the 21st century next week with a project that calls on everyone to keep an online diary for a day.

The History Matters campaign has picked October 17 as the "ordinary" weekday for the mass blog, and is calling on everyone to take part and upload their diary to the site. According to the Telegraph, which is supporting the project,

"The blogs should contain a reflection on how history affected the person writing on that particular day, but this could be something as simple as describing an old building they walk past on the way to school or a discussion with a relative about the family tree."

"Pepys will be rejoicing", writes blogger Kester Brewin, while Kevin Harris of the blog Neighbourhoods calls it an "adventurous stunt". But not everyone is bowled over by the idea. One Livejournal user, feste_sylvain, writes:

"I'm sorry, but the notion 'how history influenced their day' strikes me as akin to 'how breathing influenced their day' or (more accurately) 'how waking up with a brain full of memories influenced their day' or even 'how living in a house I'm not in the process of building influenced my day'."

The idea also produces raised eyebrows over at The South African Genealogist blog:

"Britain's entire brand image is History. Why then would they feel the need to launch a campaign of this nature if they had not detected a shift in their nation's respect for and perception of the past? That's a scary thought. If they perceive a problem with all they've got then down here at the Southern tip of Africa we need to take a long hard look at our own situation."

If you want to fine out more about History Matters, EducationGuardian has more on how teachers can encourage their students to take part, or you can visit the History Matters website.