Friday, March 25, 2011

Blogging

Today I’m blogging about blogging.

Why do people blog? I’m not asking why my LA101H classmates blog, because frankly they are required to. But why do people feel the need to post their thoughts and feelings on the Internet? I just don’t get it! And I don’t know why.

Usually people keep their thoughts to themselves and if they share them it is with close friends and relatives, not complete strangers. But I believe the notion of complete strangers turns bloggers on in a way. Everyone wants to be noticed. Everyone wants fame. People thrive off the notion of their thoughts and words being appreciated and talked about. I am a perfect example: I check how many Twitter followers I have daily (follow me @benstanj). I want to know what new people are following me and why. I want to be recognized for my creativity and cleverness. People love recognition, and the Internet and social media are perfect outlets and channels of recognition. The Internet is limitless, and thus helps expand your recognition beyond the limits that would be set outside of the cyber world. Social media is the perfect medium for broadcasting and communication. People want their ideas broadcasted and relayed, and the Internet is the easiest method of broadcasting out there.

What is an even bigger dilemma than the act of blogging, is the subject of blogging. I always ask myself why I feel that my posts or tweets are worthy of other people seeing. What makes this post readable and pleasing to the eyes? What makes my tweets clever or funny? In class we learn that the aesthetics of your blog attract viewers. The tile of your blog catches people’s attention. All of these things add to making a good blog. But when it comes down to it, it’s all about the words. My Dad always tells me “writers write.” And I agree with him. But is that it? People write because they write? People blog because they blog? Did I even answer any of my questions?

4 comments:

  1. One draw of blogging for me is the immediacy. When you publishing articles or texts it takes considerable time to ever see your writing in print. Publishing a blog post is as quick as pressing "post." There's an appeal to that!

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  2. You raised an interesting topic. I learned in psychology that, I don't exactly know the term now but people tend to write or say things that others want to hear. Even though I'm required to write our blogs, for my Passion blog, I write because I feel like there are a lot of people out there that are in a similar situation as me and would be comforted to know that someone like them is out there as well.

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  3. I agree with the statement about wanting to be famous. I believe that most people want to be famous and spread their word to others. I'm going to assume that you follow Charlie Sheen on Twitter?

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  4. Connor I gave up losing for Lent. Duh...#WINNING

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