The Inevitable
I suppose that, given the industry that I am in, it was inevitable that I would come to this point. I’ve been tinkering with creating a content management system (CMS) for my clients, have been fiddling with RSS Feeds, am generally interested in online “movements,” and believe that good writing only comes with practice. I’m still not sure I totally like the blog, though. Granted, this tool has empowered the individual voice; like the video camera that preceded it, blogs have put a power once reserved to the corporations and the big businesses into the hands of the individual. As my wife pointed out to me, however, that which is published by the corporate giants benefits immensely from editors; I guess I could blame blogs for spreading some of the degradation of our language, not to mention the soapbox it has provided to so many that probably don’t need it (myself included).
Well, with that said, I’ve found myself reading blogs far more often. I generally read those that are industry related (Flash, ITP), belong to old friends far away (Chicago, California, Spanish Harlem ☺), or just to keep up-to-date with my other home (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania).
Reading a friend’s blog definitely helps me to break the ice—especially if I haven’t seen them in a few years. I’m hoping this may help me keep in touch with some friends and possibly make some new ones. If this doesn’t work out, it won’t be a big loss, as I’m in the midst of being contracted to redesign a company’s blog and needed the experience, anyway.
September 19th, 2005 at 2:16 pm
there’s a fundamental difference in posting deep thoughts on a blog as opposed to information or ideas in your head. i’m not so sure i endorse posting deep personal thoughts and information about yourself, your fears, loves, etc etc on a blog. there does need to be some amount of restraint.
yet what i do endorse is the use of technology if it makes your life better. if you can find some value out of using a blog and posting information, then have at it. but yes i do share some of your concerns…
enbrace it, but do not completely ingest it.
September 21st, 2005 at 4:04 pm
I’ve found that through reading and posting on blogs, I’ve made a few friends. People who I would never have known existed if it wasn’t for their blog. Although I may never meet these people, I feel a certain bond with them because of common interests.
Mohit makes raises an interesting point about not blogging about deep thoughts. I think this is something many people struggle with (me included). But I find that it all relates to a target market. For instance, I hate reading about some kid on LiveJournal who is sick of their teacher and has detention today. But just because I don’t like reading that, doesn’t mean it doesn’t reach out to someone. Because it does… it reaches out to other students and people their age.
I’ve decided that it’s ok with me to write about deep thoughts on my blog because after all, it is MY blog. And in a way it’s like therapy to get things off my chest. Other wise I would just bottle up a lot of emotion and that just isn’t healthy. I recently read an article about bloggers viewing their sites as a bit of therapy which I can completely understand.