Comments on: Who is this blog for?

By: Why we blog - Mystery of a Shrinking Violet

Why we blog - Mystery of a Shrinking Violet — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 23:47:21 +0000

[...] A recent Washington Post column queried Bloggers on the Reasons Behind Their Daily Words. Reading it got me to thinking yet again about why I blog. [...]

By: Stu Savory

Stu Savory — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 12:40:16 +0000

My blog is for those liking snippets of knowledge, often maths and/or languages, and for those 49% of US people who like Bushwhacking

By: Eric Mayer

Eric Mayer — Mon, 14 Feb 2005 21:24:24 +0000

I’ve struggled with who I’m blogging for. Really, I want to write it for myself, to not have to be so aware of an audience as I’ve become with most of my writing. To goof off. Be self indulgent. Like I used to do all the time writing for fanzines. Blogging is supposed to be *just fun*. But I can’t quite forget there’s an audience out there.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 21:22:45 +0000

Each blogger has to set their own level of personal exposure, and some blogs I come across contain more than I wanted to know. Each of us is a little different in what we’re ready to share. I’m also a very private (read extremely introverted and sometimes shy) person. Thus the title of my blog. I tend to be more outgoing in writing than in person, which is why I find blogging such a great outlet.

By: cassie-b

cassie-b — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 13:01:42 +0000

What an interesting question. I blog because I like to share some of the things I have heard – or learned – or seen. There isn’t a lot about me in my blogs, I am a very private person. And sometimes the nicest part of blogging to me is to see what other bits of life bloggers are willing to share.
Also, there are 6 bloggers in our family, and it’s such a nice way to keep up with their lives and actually get to understand them better.

Thanks for making me think.

By: Reenie

Reenie — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 01:33:13 +0000

Thanks both, for the feedback. Ken, you’ve made me curious, Barbara, you made me laugh. Ken, the weblog explanation made so much sense. I’ll pursue your suggested reading. And Barbara, I’ll continue laughing!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 00:59:38 +0000

I agree it’s an ugly word, Reenie, and I suspect the word itself even put me off blogging for a while before I decided to give it a go. It sounds like something one does to country western music, while wearing too large shoes. Or like slogging through deep mud, something I’m sure few people relish doing. But it is a lot like conversation—with a delay similar that of space travelers phoning home.

Thanks, Ken, for the explanation.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 00:51:53 +0000

Reenie, the word blog was coined by Peter Merholz back in 1999 when he broke the word weblog into the phrase "we blog." Other interesting tidbits about weblogs and blogging history can be read at wikipedia.org. I ran across the above reference when annotating my article What is a Blog? written in answer to that question asked of me by email.

By: Reenie

Reenie — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 00:18:45 +0000

For me, blogging is a cocktail party without the cocktails â€“ the conversations I wanted to have when cocktail parties still existed. Your blogs are like bling to me â€“ and clearly, I am probably misusing both words. I would have never experienced blog if not for you, Barbara. I find your blog stimulating and enjoy responding. I went on Peterâ€™s site and enjoyed his musings as well.

But back to the question. Blogging is simply conversation for me â€“ conversation that seems to ends too abruptly, much to my dismay.

Jesus, Joseph and Mary â€“ who came up with the dreadful word, blog? It looks ugly and sounds ugly â€“ itâ€™s amazing it can inspire people so richly!