So I was thinking....

So why DO people read blogs?

I think wanting to connect to people is a basic human emotion, and being able to keep track of a person’s growth (be it spiritual, physical, etc etc.) can also be a way you yourself can rate your own growth. Back in the olden days, before internet, motorized transportation, traffic grids, etc. this sort of connection was confined to your general area. You’d probably be on pretty good terms with your neighbors and the people at your church, and how much else would depend on how willing you were to travel and where you travelled to. Nowadays, the internet allows us to span the globe and easily access thousands, if not MILLIONS, of potential friends. Yet, I would reckon a lot of you out there have only passing familiarity to your neighbors, and maybe only hobnob with a few people at your place of worship – if you even HAVE a place of worship you frequent.

The main point I’m getting to is the unique relation a blogger has to their audience: for the audience, a blog is a great way to get personal, but at a safe distance. You can follow someone’s relationship drama, experience their pain and anguish (at least as much as they are willing to share) just like you would a close friend. But chances are you won’t get that 2 a.m. “Screw me, I hate my life” confessional you might get from that hypothetical friend. It’s all berries and no nuts, quite literally. Plus, if someone’s online ruminations get to be too much, you can simply take it off your bookmark folder and move on with the rest of your life. Real friendships don’t tend to just stop like that. But yet, the blogger will sometimes reveal stuff they may only tell their bestest of the best friends.

Weird, eh?

So as I continue with my blogging experience, I have to look back upon myself. Exactly how much of myself do I want out there? I don’t plan on running for a political office any time, so I don’t have to censor any of my legally dubious endeavors. (Of course, all those who know me know that my legally dubious endeavors are between rare and scarce... can’t serve a buffet with an empty pantry!) I could give my thoughts and analysis of the great matters of the day, but I’d rather not come off as sermonizing or judgmental. How about my friends, relatives, etc? How much of their lives can I share? Simply put, it’s a tightrope to walk.

I know this was kind of a heavy blog, but it’s something that’s been nagging at me, and something I’m sure I’ll internally wrestle with a bit. Feel free to let me know your thoughts and feelings ... it’s interesting to know peoples’ differing philosophies, especially considering how new this whole enterprise is.