Why do you blog?

[bigsleepj]

In all honesty a few months ago I didn't read blogs at all because I found the idea bizarre to say the least. Even the most interesting person's blog struck me as boring sometimes. Recently I've warmed to reading blogs and have been reading some of the CAA members' blogs of late (I'd rather not say who in case someone take this as an insult and decides to take out their frustration on me by chrashing my freemail account). I don't dislike the bloggers actually (although some blogs are nothing more than rants) but I still on some level find the whole idea ridiculous. On some level the whole process keeps reminding me about that quote by Raymond Chander that goes: "The moment a man sets his thoughts down on paper, however secretly, he is in a sense writing for publication."

However, upon seeing that today is a beautiful spring day (the clearest skies, the brightest sun the greens coming out) we've had in months I was filled with the bizarre desire to blog about it.

I consider this temporary insanity (although considering that I just posted about it here I may have perpetrated a half-irony) but it has left me with the fundemental question, offered up to those who blog on a weekly or daily basis: Why do you blog at all? Is there any particular reason you put down your thoughts for all to see?

Just asking.

[Warrior4Christ]

I don't blog.

But Strong Sad's blog is hilarious!

I see no reason to not type the alphabet:
AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMmNnOoPpQqRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz

Random

[uc pseudonym]

I am with you bigsleepj: I would like an answer to your question.

In my life, I have only seriously read one blog. This was that of a couple I know who went on a biking trip to raise money for third world countries. I read it because I was interested in their progress and how they are doing. I may read Kaji's blog on his missions in Japan for similar reasons. But other than that, I see very little point in blogs.

[dragonshimmer]

Hehe. Honestly, the blog I have in my sig doesn't really have personal stuff in it, and it's just me rambling. I'm typically a very closed up person and I hardly ever talk about myself and my problems. EVER. People here and people locally will be quick to tell you that. If I didn't blog, people really wouldn't know a single thing about me or my life, my joys, my hurts...anything. I just don't like talking about myself and tend to focus on other people and THEIR problems more, with very few exceptions. So, for the blog I actually record personal things in (which is NOT the one in my sig...the one in my sig is boring, but I don't want strangers or some local people reading my other one), I do it to both organize my thoughts and to let the people who really care know what's going on, and there are actually a few people who really do care.

I blog mainly for myself. If I'm upset, I write. If I'm sad, I write. I find release in writing. Why do I make it public? Like I said, for others to know about what's going on in case I act strangely for a few days. I'll also be honest...I like to get other people's input on my life as well. It gives me opinions of people outside of the situation, and sometimes I find them very helpful. Or sometimes people post comments to let you know they share your *insert emotion here*, and they share their own story, and that encourages me and helps me deal with whatever I happen to be dealing with at that moment.

To be honest, many of my personal entries are only viewable to myself or a handful of people on my friends list.

Also, I have an incredibly boring job, so I find other people's blogs/journals both fascinating and entertaining. Honestly, if it weren't for the kind of job I have, I wouldn't write NEARLY as much. Maybe once or twice a week. As it is, I probably write on average about 2 times a day, some of it silly random dribble, some of it highly thoughtful and spiritual.

You're asking why. I say....why not? n_n

[Cap'n Nick]

Mine functions as a sort of open letter. If you didn't know me if would be boring as anything but an interest in me personally seems to make it tolerable for a few people.

[Maledicte]

Right now I'm using mine as a space to write down my impressions from a book I've been assigned, since I'm on the computer so often. Keeps me on track.

[Mr_Ross]

To be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no idea what a blog is, and I am pretty sure I've never seen or read one before.

Is it just someone's rants and commentary on the news, with other stuff, or what? I've wanted to know what it means for a long time but the only explanation I've ever read is rambling, nonsensical garbage. x_x;;

[Slater]

I don't blog. The closest I come to that is my DA journal.

[Alice]

I blog when I know people I care about will read it.

If it's just for myself, I can write in my (paper) journal or just cry or something. Writing something and knowing people you care about are going to read it is a good thing for me. It's addictive!

If something is very personal, I make it so only some people can read it, or no one. Or I just don't write it.

But yeah, it's wonderful being able to write things and get feedback.

[agasfas]

If it's just for myself, I can write in my (paper) journal or just cry or something. Writing something and knowing people you care about are going to read it is a good thing for me. It's addictive!

I think that's probably the reason most people blog. Sometimes when something is really bothering you an outside opinion or advice is sometimes encouraging. For me, I usually blog like once a week, sometimes I go longer. It's usually written when I have something on my mind and I don't feel like sharing/burdening my problems with the whole world; just people who know me and care.

I guess another part has to do with topics too. If a topic or thought is really political or just a problem you have- controversal or not... then it's easier to post it there rather then on boards or somewhere else.

[yukinon]

I blog (or use LJ, whatever) because I started doing it in ninth grade and it has become a habit. A habit that is slowly dying, but there nonetheless.

I also blog as a way to keep in touch with friends who have gone off to college and also have blogs. But that's kind of pointless now since neither of them talk to me anymore.

I blog so I can get relatively objective answers to questions like "Is it a sin to be angry with God?".

I blog so I can get easy answers to informational questions like "Hey, what should I cosplay as?".

Considering that I'm about to quit my LJ, this may not be reliable. ^^;

[uc pseudonym]

Blogging for the sake of emotional release is one thing, and a function that I can easily accept. However, I do think that publishing such a thing online is slightly unusual (but I am biased, because I don't journal or write, and definitely not for the sake of release).

You're asking why. I say....why not? n_n]

I'll presume that's a real question. Time, for one. Even if we aren't so busy that we have no time for a blog, many of us wouldn't want to spend time on something we don't see a direct purpose for.

[dragonshimmer]

Blogging for the sake of emotional release is one thing, and a function that I can easily accept. However, I do think that publishing such a thing online is slightly unusual (but I am biased, because I don't journal or write, and definitely not for the sake of release).



I'll presume that's a real question. Time, for one. Even if we aren't so busy that we have no time for a blog, many of us wouldn't want to spend time on something we don't see a direct purpose for.

[color=#CC66CC] Fair enough. I think I'd have to agree with you, it is slightly odd to post something so personal online...but I don't post something so incredibly personal that it would harm my social life or anything if someone were to stumble across it. Not like there's anything in my life that would do that anyway, really.

As far as having direct purpose...I think that depends on who you ask: someone who blogs or someone who doesn't ]

[bigsleepj]

Also, I have an incredibly boring job, so I find other people's blogs/journals both fascinating and entertaining. Honestly, if it weren't for the kind of job I have, I wouldn't write NEARLY as much. Maybe once or twice a week. As it is, I probably write on average about 2 times a day, some of it silly random dribble, some of it highly thoughtful and spiritual.

Hmmmmm. I can understand the "boring job" part since I suffer from the same social malady. And I know the odd things you can do on the 'Net when you have unlimited access and a lot of time on your hands.

To be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no idea what a blog is, and I am pretty sure I've never seen or read one before.

Blog, derived from the word "weblog", is basically a journal kept on-line by a user. It can range in any subject and people can sometimes (not always) reply to these.

I blog when I know people I care about will read it.

Mine functions as a sort of open letter. If you didn't know me if would be boring as anything but an interest in me personally seems to make it tolerable for a few people.

I also blog as a way to keep in touch with friends who have gone off to college and also have blogs. But that's kind of pointless now since neither of them talk to me anymore.

Hmmm. These are all very good reasons and quite interesting oppinions to hear (Cap'n's reason might explains why I find some blogs boring). Thanks for the replies and shedding some light on the subject. I now have a greater understanding, thank you. Still I doubt I'm going to blog soon.

[Kaligraphic]

I started a livejournal a couple of weeks ago, but it was mostly for the novelty factor. I've got fewer than ten posts on it, so it doesn't really have a purpose. Maybe I'll use it for anime reviews or something.

But maybe my life just isn't interesting enough for a blog? (I do not set down in writing my private introspection. Ever.)

[Fsiphskilm]

i abando

[ShiroiHikari]

Why so much blog bashing? Geez. Some people just need to get their feelings out through writing, and Livejournal is a fun way for friends to keep up with each other. It's easier to maintain than a website.

I write in Livejournal for several reasons.
1. To vent frustration.
2. To get opinions from my friends.
3. To communicate with my friends.
4. To entertain myself.

And recently, I got another LJ account to deal with my story things.

I express my feelings much better in writing than with the spoken word. That's what it all comes down to, I think.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I don't have one blog

I HAVE THREE MWAHAH

it's cause I have no life

its also to keep in touch with other people

[dragonshimmer]

i abandoned all my blogs long ago. I honestly think they're stupid.

Weather you're a regular joe, a plain jane, or a corporate CEO. Blogs are borring and ridiculous in Volt's Opinion.

"Blogging is something your mind does to take a dump" - maddox

Unless you have a funny blog, or an unuasual blog, or you have many people care for you. Freinds don't let friends Blog. Everytime I go into Google and search for something all the Blogs of the internet Clog up my search, With all this garbage everywhere I can't find what I need, and searching has gone from a few seconds to half an hour. Thus Google is now making BLOG search seperately (i think)

The exceptions are Ashley's and Inkhana's Blogs. They bring me joy.

I really think that depends on the reader, my dear. I really truly find most other blogs fascinating, even if it's just ShiroiHikari fangirling about Claudio. Those are my favorite posts.

To each his own : ) Different strokes for different folks...different opinions and interests and even BLOGGERS make the world go 'round

[Alice]

Some of you seem concerned that strangers read your blogs, that the words are "out there for everyone to see!"

This can be true, but strangers don't usually read your blog unless it's topical and they're interested in the topic, or if it is extremely funny or unusual in some way.

Even then, they rarely read more than a couple of entries.

[Fsiphskilm]

Not a

[Alice]

Does complaining about this really help anyone?

Most people in the world don't have anyone to listen to their worries and fears and complaints. REALLY listen. If talking about it on their blogs helps them feel better, you should be glad for them. It's better than them having to spend money on psychiatrists, just so someone will listen.

[Fsiphskilm]

A blog

[Saint Kevin]

Why is it than only the incredibly long entries are the ones that get erased and tell you that you aren't logged in?

Ugh. That was like...two pages. Dang it.

Suffice it to say: Blogging good. Also, pillars/altars good.

Yep, I shall post my response at some point, but for now I am too crushed by the fact that it got deleted to bother reposting it. It is also 4:35 in the AM and I need sleep.

P.S. Complaining about posting useless links in blogs, and then turning around and posting (not once, but twice) about the wonder of "Booh Bah," is at very least the definition of irony, if not hypocrisy.

[bigsleepj]

Also, pillars/altars good.

Pillars/altars? May I ask what they are? I know the meaning of the words but I struggle to figure out what context they have to blogs.

As for typing long posts that get deleted for no good reason, its always prudent type them out of copy-paste them into a wordprocessor or at least Notepad. Its cumbersome, but I learned the hard way that its better that way.

[Warrior4Christ]

Thanks to Volt, for pointing out such a useful site; I never would have found it otherwise.

As for typing long posts that get deleted for no good reason, its always prudent type them out of copy-paste them into a wordprocessor or at least Notepad. Its cumbersome, but I learned the hard way that its better that way.

I type it out as normal, then copy it before submitting. Most times pressing Back also gets you words back.

[Cap'n Nick]

Do not mind the Volt. He has become the puppet of the entity known as Maddox, causing him to reflect the vitriol meant for the prolific linkers and profferers of mental diahrrea onto the harmless members of CAA.

Actually, if anybody has a right to complain, it's Maddox. He produces content in blog-like form that is witty, informative, and consistently hilarious. He's turned the medium he scorned into something entertaining and even powerful, capable of tangible economic influence. A well-written blog can even "attract others that 'understand exactly how you feel,'" as I have through mine found many such people as well as a few that are actually something more.

The problem comes when egotism overrides the power of expression. Things aren't interesting just because they happen to you; they're interesting because you make them interesting.

[Gypsy]

[quote="Cap'n Nick"]The problem comes when egotism overrides the power of expression. Things aren't interesting just because they happen to you]

Exactly, I've never seen it worded so concisely.

[bigsleepj]

Actually, if anybody has a right to complain, it's Maddox. He produces content in blog-like form that is witty, informative, and consistently hilarious.

Now I got to ask - who is this Maddox?

[quote="Cap'n Nick"]The problem comes when egotism overrides the power of expression. Things aren't interesting just because they happen to you]
Hmmmmm. I never thought of it like that. I think there is a lot of truth in that observation.

[uc pseudonym]

As has already been said, to each his or her own. I don't like reading blogs for the same reason I don't write them, but that doesn't mean I think that blogs as a concept are pointless.

Why is it than only the incredibly long entries are the ones that get erased and tell you that you aren't logged in?

Because they are the entries that take up enough time that you are automatically logged out of CAA. This is why I keep two windows open, or at least refresh one if I'm writing an extremely long message.

Most people in the world don't have anyone to listen to their worries and fears and complaints. REALLY listen. If talking about it on their blogs helps them feel better, you should be glad for them. It's better than them having to spend money on psychiatrists, just so someone will listen.

That's one of the things, actually. Listening just isn't the same online.

Does complaining about this really help anyone?

Sure, it could help them express their feelings by venting frustration, let other people know how they feel about the topic, to communicate with others or to entertain themselves.