Why do we Blog? (part one)
I recently wrote a blurb about blogging. After reading the comments of that entry, some agile thought, and a bit of daydreaming, I decided to look into why blogs are becoming so apparently ubiquitous.
There are blogs covering most every subject under the sun, everything from the war in Iraq to cleaning your kitchen sink properly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Paris Hilton's dog soon has a blog.
The more I dug into what blogs were all about, the more the question arose, "Why do we blog?" I discovered that many bloggers use their blogs much like they would a daily diary, but their entries have suddenly become interactive.
When once we would have written our thoughts for the day down and just closed the book, tucked it neatly back into its safe place, and forgotten about it until the next day or the next time we felt inclined to write an entry, now as soon as we put our thoughts down, we are logging back into our pages to see what others think of what we have just written.
It is part of our nature to not only care, but to be curious of what others think. But for most of us, this also changes the entries into our little diaries, where we might have been uninhibited writing for our eyes only, we now sensor our writing knowing that others will be reading it and voicing their opinions.
Of course there are those who have something to say and simply do not care about what others think, then there are also blogs that do not allow comments. Each and every blogger has their reasons for spewing out words onto the pages that are peppered throughout the Internet; as for this author, I am still trying to figure out what that reason is.
posted by Neel at 4:49 PM
27 Comments:
it's good therapy. it's a good way to brainstorm.
i've never not written something because i was afraid of what someone might say. more or less, i say it to get it out there. maybe someone has the same problems or thoughts and it's kind of refreshing to know we aren't alone in our thoughts and feelings at times. it is for me at least. all the while keeping a tidy sort of anonymity. i guess that's why i allow annonymous comments on my blog. =)
4:44 PM
Indeed! Writing is very good therapy. Often people who are trying to work through psychological barriers in their lives are told to keep journals.
Of course what I said there is a very broad overview, many people are not afraid to express their feelings at all.
You are right about annonymity, most bloggers seem to prefer to remain annonymous.
5:31 PM
=)
writing for me, is another creative outlet. i bead, i'm into photography, i read, i write... la-ti-da.
sometimes, i wish i had more time to write more often. i need to get into it at home. i write all of this while i'm at work. sssshh..
5:38 PM
Hmmm, that's a tough question. You want an honest answer? I write for me, but it sometimes feels like I write for them when I read the comments. I stopped blogging on another blog. I then disabled the comments. Then, I started back up again. I'm going to post something here, with your permission (well, maybe without it).
"Tidal Love"
i drink
the ocean of you
through parted lips
your tongue
lapping over
this island of curves
caressing this body
in waves of ecstasy
it enters
the grotto
where i hide
sensual love
drawing it out
nipples rising
back arched
i am
a wave
breaking
in you
****
Acceptance is comforting; praise is uplifting. Ultimately, writing is therapeutic.
6:12 PM
mermaid.. WOW. i love that poem.
6:37 PM
The #1 reason I blog is because I feel some connection with another person. I have been happy to have found many people who love writing, poets, photographers, all who share the same interest as I do and who I can't find in my own personal world. Comments are encouraging and make you feel good but for me it's all about presenting who I am, what I think and then hoping maybe someone else can relate and some connection is made. Of coures the connection is limited, still finding someone who has the same love for lets say a poet and discussing that is great especially when I can't find it amongst the friends I hang out with. It's my creative outlet. Good post Neel.
Mermaid - love, love love the poem!! is that on your blog?
8:40 PM
I started blogging to become more of myself by expressing certain words in a certain way. Then I came across other bloggers and their works and its a treat, honestly! I love the ppl who visit mine, like Lo, its a joy to meet similar-minded ppl who understand what you are talking about. Amongst my non-virtual freinds there are none who share these interests, so another biggie was coming across such interesting ppl as i have. I love reading about other ppl's thoughts on so many different topics.
I love, love, love that poem absolutely! You should publish it on your blog, its absolutely beautiful!
10:18 AM
I like it because it's my way of knowing I'm not the only loony out there.
LOL
Seriously though, it allows us to see that everybody is basically the same and you're not the only one who is going or has gone through what you are or have.
(sorry I haven't stopped by lately...been busy)
12:23 PM
hey neel, thanks for asking, I am fine. yeah, i was li'l "busy" at work :)
How was your long weekend? hope you had fun too.
I think of blog as a window to the world, a place one can be honest without fearing of rejections, a place to make new friends, a window to get worse out of you, a place to find like minded ones. It makes you feel connected. in this fast world, people don't have time for eachother, which blogs make it possible. It is our human's basic need-to feel wanted, accepted and connected reardless of what you have to say. People may have different motives for blogging, but everything, in the end, leads to one, to get accepted just the way you are for which you really don't have make efforts to pursue anyone.
1:43 PM
waiting for the part two now :)
1:45 PM
I still keep an off-line, paper journal. I don't say all in here! I blog because I love the sense of community it builds - like a virtual circle of friends. And so much of what others says resonates in me, which also fosters that sense of connection with other people. I've gotten in trouble numerous times for things I have posted on my blog when friends have read it. So, I suppose it is just as dangerous as the old-fashioned journals to have the wrong person get their hands on it! I also agree with Ms. Laughs that it's a creative outlet. I even comment as if I'm in a writing group, providing feedback for some of the more literary blogs that I read. And like Mermaid, I mostly write for me (and I loved the ending in particular in her poem, BTW).
1:49 PM
This is great! To all of you who have posted:
Part two will contain bits of the puzzle which you are currently completing. There is much more to this than the simple question of why we blog.
This is a quest into much, much more. All of you have made brilliant and enlightening points. I will follow up soon, and add quotes from some of your comments. Thank you all!
2:02 PM
Mermaid, I dont have much time today to comment, but although this is redundant, your poem is very touching, moving, while also being pleasantly erotic. Thank you for posting it here.
2:04 PM
Networking. Community of strangers, friends.
5:23 PM
Ms Laughs, There seem to be a lot of creative people in "blogger land", including you!
Mermaid, everyone seems to love your poem, are you going to post it on your blog, or would you like me to?
Lorena, thank you for your honesty and your insight.
Gulnaz, I agree with you completely, I have come across some wonderful people oh here as well. It is an excellent way to express yourself as well as a great way to improve your writing and communication skills.
7:02 PM
Bobhan Sith, Welcome back, another great point, support. We can support one another, but also we can disagree if we feel differently than the author.
Venus, my weekend was fine thank you. Also, thanks for your honesty, I agree with you about making new friends, but I think these are in a different class than our other friends unless we physically know them.
Sk8Rn, I have not done any paper journaling since my uncle died last September, but it served as a very good way of coping through a difficult time. Both paper journals and blogs have their place as well as their therapeutic qualities. I also agree with you and Ms. Laughs about the creativity aspect, but then (as you mentioned) we have the discussion element as well, as if we were in a book or a writing club.
Cedia, very concise this time! You have been a greatly influential my blogs and I thank you for that.
Thanks to all of you for your contributions, I will post part two of this very soon, and I plan to include quotes from many of you.
7:16 PM
I started doing it as a joke...after following my friends blogs for about a month...then the interaction began, and it just spiralled...now i do it when i can, for my own amusement, or for others, whoever appreciates the sedistic humour and somewhat psychotic outlook i have on life....daily musings, you could say...as well as a little spice and reaction. I'm sure I'll get bored and stop one day...but for now....I continue. It's fun! ;)
10:48 AM
I love your sense of humour. I am way off my original track for starting this blog. I may try to veer back onto course.
12:31 PM
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12:32 PM
If Spock are you being serious, I thought I detected a bit of sarcasm in that post, but I could be wrong. Anyway, glad to have you aboard!
10:40 PM
Well, that's good. I'm glad you are posting on here.
11:55 AM
I must admit that there are blogs that I begin reading and get disgusted by, don’t have any interest in, or just get bored with.
That is not to say that I think my blog is in any way superior, I just have my own interests, and that is the great thing anyone can say whatever they want thanks to the first amendment!
8:05 PM
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4:44 PM
That's great Natasha! You seem like you always speak your mind as well.
4:45 PM
M - You're welcome. I think there are several reasons I blog, but thinking aloud is one of them. Also it is therapeutic. I tried keeping a journal for a while, but that didn't really work out, this is easier for me.
8:48 PM
blogging is a lot like porn. no matter what you look up on the internet you will find a site with someone having sex with it.
now, there's also someone blogging about it.
6:00 PM
Exile, oh so true.
10:38 PM
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